by Daniel Campos (@francisfields)

Melbourne Victory began the contest with commanding intentions out from the back.

Five minutes in and most of the possession went in ithe side's favour, dictating much of the passing, looking to unlock gaps in the middle of the park. 

Tedros Yabio did get a break for St Albans on the left hand wing and fired on target to bring Wyatt Chant into action. 

On eleven minutes Dion Paola had a clear chance after quick, slick passing but Saints goalkeeper Stuart Webster made a solid save. 

Several shots from long range by both Paola and Waring sparked and created danger in the front third although not troubling Webster. 

Just before the half hour against the run of play, Barry Devlin found himself on the end of a long ball which caught Chant napping and only needed another easy tap-in to open the scoring.

Victory captain Joey Katebian found himself on the end of an inch-perfect pass just before the break, but could only produce a shot that went inches away from goal. 

The second period commenced more lively for both sides and it got physical too.

Mclean finished a decent cross by Pierce Waring that left Webster in trouble to make it 1-1.

Miskulin made it two when he got on the end of a cross for a flick header that left Webster and his defender napping in no mans land. 

The last half hour looked to have the scores tied with Kovacevic pushing Devlin upfront witih Ross Harvey accompanying McGuffie in the backline and cover. 

Yabio had another good chance in the 75th minute when opting to place the ball in the top corner but Wyatt Chant had his goal covered.

McGuffie missed perhaps the best the chance all afternoon for the Saints to equalise, as he was in a good position coming off an indirect free kick, leaving Chant hapless as his tap-in went wide, much to the frustration and disbelief on the bench, his teammates and fans. 

Anthony Duzel on the other end couldn't believe him luck either when he broke the offside trap with Katebian also charging in, only to find himself in a one-on-one situation that brought the very best of Stuart Webster yet again.

Ross Harvey then got his marching orders on 80 minutes for a violent tackle with a straight red. 

The last five minutes saw more violent conduct with Daniel Sweeney also getting sent off.

A brilliant double save again by Webster catapulted his determination and leadership role for the Saints, fighting just as hard despite the unfavourable scoreline.

Victory coach Darren Davies spoke after the game: "It was difficult circumstances, in fairness to St Albans they made an immense effort this afternoon.

"It was a hostile environment and it was difficult for us to come away with three points however, in fairness to our boys, we matched them in intensity and we produced the football.

"We got the ball up in their half and I think respectfully we got a justified result."

"It was important today that the boys kept their cool.

"Things got tough, physical and we needed to show discipline.

"It was important to not get distracted and lost the plot. Hopefully these players can continue this learning experience wherever they play in the development of their football careers".

Match Details

Melbourne Victory 2 (John Mclean 50', Damien Miskulin 55) defeated St Albans Saints 1 (Barry Devlin 29')

Melbourne Victory: 1. Wyatt CHANT, 19 Nick GLAVAN, 5. Damien MISKULIN, 3. Milas RIDESIC, 4. John VAKIRTZIS, 6 Stefan NIGRO, 8 Anthony DUZEL , 12 Dion PAOLA (7. Jesse DALEY 78'), 17. Pierce WARING (13. Lucas DERRICK 58') , 9. Joey KATEBIAN, 11 John MCLEAN (2. Reece CALDERCOURT 92')

Unused Subs: 20. Andre JANESSE, 10 James XYDIAS 

St. Albans: 1. Stuart WEBSTER, 2. Ryan MCGUFFIE, 4. Nicholas SARBIN, 5. Tedros YABIO, 7. Trent WATERSON, 8. Ross HARVEY, 9. Barry DEVLIN, 10. Tomislav TRBUHOVIC, 13. Anthony BORAS (23. Daniel SWEENEY 68'), 15. Konrad DOBRASZKEIWICZ (17. Stepjan TRBUHOVIC 66'), 18. Ben SHAPER

Subs: 6. Matko BUDIMIR, 20. Ante KOZUL, 22. Dilen IBRAHIM.

Yellow Cards: 13. Anthony BORAS 9', 10. Tom TRBUHOVIC 78'

Red Cards: 8. Ross HARVEY (80'), 23. Daniel SWEENEY (85')