By Marc Sudholz (@marc014)

Box Hill United has marked its return to Wembley Park in style, running out 0-3 winners against Melbourne Victory on Saturday afternoon.

Goals to Aaron Porcaro, Alex Schroen, and a Stephen Hatzikourtis own goal also saw Victory’s unbeaten run end at nine games.

The game started off cagily, with neither side wanting to concede early.

Franc Carafa saw a shot curl over the bar after four minutes for the visitors, despite playing on their home ground.

John Maclean then saw a similar effort go over with 10 minutes played.

Victory’s best chance of the half came just four minutes after.

Joey Katebian sprung the offside trap with a through-ball, expertly finding Kieran Dover, but the former Dandenong Thunder striker was denied superbly by Alex Connell in goal.

The half continued to be a tight affair before Box Hill found a breakthrough in the shadows of half time.

Milos Ridesic skewed a clearance following a low ball into the box, and Porcaro took full advantage, taking a touch, before finishing low past Stephen Hatzikourtis, who stood little chance, sending the support into raptures.

Box Hill doubled the lead nine minutes into the second half.

Franc Carafa rose with a looping header, which deflected off the bar, down onto the unfortunate Hatzikourtis, who knew little about it, the ball finding its way into the net, doubling Pythagoras’ advantage.

Ex-United man George Howard nearly pulled one back for Melbourne soon after, but he dragged a shot wide of the far post, having done well to create the chance.

Ten minutes after, Victory hit the crossbar with a header from Dover, the ball then cleared by a stringent Box Hill defence following a goalmouth scramble.

Joey Katebian was denied with ten minutes left by Alex Connell, who got down low to save a shot from the former Bulleen forward.

The game was put beyond doubt with seven minutes remaining.

Porcaro found Schroen with a clever pass, before the winger cut in on his right foot, firing home from 25 yards to seal the win.

Box Hill nearly made it four with seconds remaining, but substitute Adam Skowronski’s curling effort was saved acrobatically by Hatzikourtis.

 

Melbourne Victory Youth 0 defeated by Box Hill United 3 (Porcaro 44’, Hatzikouras (OG) 54’, Schroen 83’) At Wembley Park, Box Hill.

Melbourne Victory XI: 1: Stephen HATZIKOURTIS (GK), 18: Christian CAVALLO (2: Tom LUKIC 70’), 3: Milos RIDESIC, 5: Damien MISKULIN, 19: Nick GLAVON, 8: Anthony DAZEL (14: Reece CALDECOURT 76’), 6: Stefan NIGRO, 10: Kieran DOVER, 17: George HOWARD, 9: Joey KATEBIAN (C), 11: John MACLEAN (4: James XYDAS 83’)

Subs: 20: Wyatt CHANT (GK), 16: Patrick AVICE

Yellow Cards: Katebian 73’

Red Cards: None.

Box Hill XI: 1: Alex CONNELL (GK), 25: Michael GODFREY, 5: Alex SCHROEN, 18: Joey CALDERONE, 2: Nicola SURDOSKI, 21: Travis CHALK-HATTON, 23: Dillon JAKUPI (7: Patrick THIAKANE 74’), 11: Sebastien BARRERO, 10: Franc CARAFA (6: Luca PRESUTTI 88’), 8: Caleb LUDLOW, 17: Aaron PORCARO (9: Adam SKOROWNSKI 85’)

Subs: 35: Christian PAVLIDIS (GK), 16: Chris GFILS

Yellow Cards: Carafa 80’

Red Cards: None.