By Brandon Galgano (@bgalgano94)

A dominant second half performance from Avondale FC has resulted in a resounding 3-0 victory over an out-of-form Port Melbourne side at JL Murphy Reserve on Friday night.

Having seen two goals disallowed by the referee in the first half, along with a missed penalty from Francesco Stella, the visiting Avondale turned on the style, scoring three second half goals along with Port skipper Shaun Kelly being sent off for the second time this season.

It was the home side who had the first sight on goal though as Shaun Kelly lined up a free kick from 30 yards out but his low effort was easily dealt with by Frasier Siddall.

Avondale had the best chance to open the scoring though in the 21^st minute, winning a penalty following a handball in the box by Andrew Milicevic.

Former Melbourne Victory man Stella stepped up to take and coolly slotted home to seemingly give Avondale the lead but the referee ruled that a player encroached the area thus ordering a retake.

Attempting to go back the same way Stella was denied this time by Michael Stark who got down well to his left to parry away before the follow up was blocked and cleared out of the danger zone.

Avondale had the ball in the back of the net again in the 29^th minute but once again the referee whistled for a handball in the build up with Avondale denied a goal yet again.

Port very nearly made Avondale pay in the 51^st minute as Kelly found space at the back post following a Julius Davies flick on but the centre back could only smash the ball into the side netting from a tight angle.

Avondale then finally found the break through via former Melbourne Knights striker Jacob Colosimo just three minutes before the hour mark.

A brilliant cross from the ever dangerous Stella found Colosimo unmarked inside the six yard box who proceeded to head home, giving the visitors the lead.

Things went from bad to worse just seven minutes later as Avondale won a second penalty of the match as Kelly lunged in on Matthew Sanders from behind as he was clean through on goal.

With Kelly shown his marching orders, Sanders stepped up to slot the ball home, doubling Avondale’s lead.

With new signing Massimo Murdocca running the show in midfield along with Stella causing problems up front, Avondale looked menacing on almost every foray forward and they made it 3-0 with just 13 minutes to play.

Sanders may have gotten the credit, slotting home at the back post but it was the brilliance of Stella which set it all up.

Receiving the ball out on the left wing, Stella, under pressure from the Port defence, cheekily nutmeged Brian Bran as he lunged in to win the ball before whipping in a low cross to Sanders who made it 3-0.

Alan Mulcahy very nearly got a goal back for the hosts with a fizzing 30 yard strike denied by the fingertips of Siddall who parried away to ensure a clean sheet for Avondale.

Sanders had a golden chance to seal his hatrick in stoppage time, having been sent clean through on goal but he was denied by Stark who stood tall to keep the score line respectable for Port Melbourne.

Match Details:

Port Melbourne SC 0 defeated by Avondale FC 3 (Colosimo 57’, Sanders 65’, 77’) at JL Murphy Reserve.

 

Port Melbourne XI: 25 Michael STARK, 4 Alan MULCAHY, 19 Shaun KELLY ©, 21 Bryan BRAN, 15 Kristopher KIOUSISS, 16 Alan KEARNEY, 10 Andrew MILICEVIC, 7 Adrian ZAHRA, 20 Julius DAVIES (3 James RICCOBENE 67’), 14 Kamal IBRAHIM (11 Nick KROUSORATIS 51’), 12 Alec GOODWIN (9 Trent RIXON 51’)

Unused Substitutes: 1 Stjepan GAL, 22 Ryan OPPERMAN

Yellow Cards: Goodwin 48’

Red Cards: Kelly 65’

 

Avondale FC XI: 20 Frazer SIDDAL, 4 Jacob COLOSIMO (18 Jonathan MUNOZ 70’), 5 Jeffrey FLEMING ©, 8 Massimo MURDOCCA, 9 Alex KHRAPKO (28 Anthony FALLONE 78’), 11 Francesco STELLA (10 Burakhan KOCA 80’), 13 Michele CRAZIA, 15 Zoran PAJIC, 17 Phillip RICCOBENE, 16 Matthew SANDERS, 19 Jason PRINCIPATO

Unused Substitutes: 1 Christopher MAYNARD, 31 Omar AMMACHE

Yellow Cards: Khrapko 26’, Principato 63’, Crazia 90’

Red Cards: NIL