Slim City hopes live on with Kingston win
By Sean Ellicott
Melbourne City FC has kept its promotion hopes in tact with a 3-2 victory over Kingston City at Grange Reserve on Monday night.
Joe Montemurro’s side came from behind twice in the first interval before securing the three points with a little over 20 minutes remaining.
However it was Hamish Millar who gifted the hosts and early lead against the run-of-play.
An errant back-pass from centre-half Baki Efe saw Millar through on goal, slotting in the match’s first with ease.
A swift response nevertheless ensured as Marc Marino restored parity following the 22nd minute mark.
Kingston ‘keeper Douglas Lindberg was the culprit, spilling his attempt at collecting a cross, allowing Marino to tuck in the equalizer with a neat back-heel.
Less than two minutes later, Kingston then reestablished its advantage.
Millar contributed with dashing sprint down the right flank, running half the length of the pitch before squaring up Doig, who fired his effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Like they had done before, City responded with positivity, pressing forward for an equalizer.
Despite conceding twice inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour, Melbourne controlled majority of the possession on a bumpy surface.
Nick Tolios’ chargers did enjoy some freedom down the flanks, but were restricted to minimal half opportunities.
City then struck back on the stroke of half-time.
Meeting Ali Eyigun’s corner, Luka Prelevic’s volley nestled into the back-of-the-net, bolstering his side’s confidence as both team entered the rooms.
City then almost capitalized on its momentum immediately the break.
Following-up Nick Symeoy’s strike, Luke Gallo thought he had given his side the lead, only to be ruled off-side by the referee’s assistant.
The diminutive winger however had no such issues with his next attempt.
Gaining possession from 18 yards, the teenager fired his effort onto the upright, only to deflect in off Lindberg’s back as the custodian dived across goal.
Melbourne City now remains four points adrift of second placed Ballarat with only two games remaining.
MATCH DETAILS
Kingston City FC 2 (Millar 16’, Doig 25’) defeated by Melbourne City FC (Marino 23’, Prelevic 44’, Gallo 66’) at Grange Reserve [HT 2-2].
Kingston City FC: 24. Douglas LINDBERG (GK), 12. Lucas MORRREY, 4. James KARVELIS, 3. Jamal CLARKE, 5. Nick TEICHMANN, 20. Steven FERGADIOTIS (16. Nick STAMATOU 12’), 7 Benjamin OSEI-SAFO (8. Gino DEFEO), 19. Andrew DOIG, 9. Sean McILROY, 14. Damian IACONIS (8. Deniz SABANOVSKI, 15. Hamish MILLAR.
Unused Substitutes: 13. Peter KOUNDANIS, 10. Jamie DE SMIT.
Yellow Cards: Clarke (71’)
Red Cards: None.
Melbourne City FC: 1. Yaren SOZER (GK), 3. Nicholas SYMEOY, 4. Jordan HALL, 5. Leo ATHANASIOU, 7. Hernan ESPINDOLA, 9. Marc MARINO (12. Anthony RIZK 75’), 10. Luka PRELEVIC (8. Ratip CILELI 90’), 14. Baki EFE, 15. Luke GALLO (22. Mehdi SARWARI 85’), 16. Matthew MILLAR, 21. Ali EYIGUN.
Unused Substitutes: 13. Denis GENREAU, 20. Yianni SKILIROS
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None
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