There’s been plenty of goals and mixed fortunes for Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City’s Youth sides in the opening round of the National Youth League this weekend.
City ran out 4-1 winners over Adelaide United at C. B. Smith Reserve yesterday while Victory played out an entertaining 3-3 draw against Brisbane Roar this morning.
Yusuf Ahmed was the stand out for City as his first half brace provided a comfortable buffer for much of the afternoon, though Connor Metcalfe’s opener inside 15 minutes set the tone early.
Josh Mori, son of legendary Socceroos striker Damian, was able to claw a goal back in the second half but it counted for little as Connor Chapman would add a fourth goal for City 15 minutes from time.
Meanwhile Victory’s clash with Brisbane was initially scheduled for a Saturday afternoon kick-off but was postponed as a result of inclement weather.
Like their crosstown rival, Victory were 3 goals to the good at the break, courtesy of goals from Pierce Waring, Lucas Derrick and Aleksandar Stanisavljevic.
Roar staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, to claw back a hard earned point.
Shannon Brady scored the first goal for Roar before turning provider for the second as Nicholas D’Agostino got the second.
D’Agostino could have scored a second goal barely five minutes later after being fouled in the box by goalkeeper Stephan Hatzikourtis. The Victory goalkeeper redeemed himself though, saving D’Agostino’s spot kick.
Dane Ingham would complete Roar’s comeback though with 15 minutes remaining.
City and Victory will do battle with each other next week, as Victory hosts the first Youth Derby at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.