Victory on cloud nine after second half romp over Murray
By MEGAN PEARCE
Melbourne Victory has put on a goalscoring exhibition in the second half of a wet and windy Wodonga afternoon to defeat Murray United 9-1.
While Murray was gallant in the opening stanza, Victory took a two-goal lead into the half. But the visitors were too strong in the second, putting seven past the hosts – including a Joey Katebian hattrick - despite a consolation to Mathew Hasler.
Murray United was quick off the bat to pressure Victory, but the visitors proved too strong across the park and held off any attacks right from the get go.
It took John Maclean just five minutes to give Victory the lead with his powerful strike past a hapless Josh Fluss.
Murray had its chances to get back into the match soon after, but Zac Walker’s effort was parried wide for a corner by Victory goalkeeper Stephen Hatzikostas. It was almost second-time-lucky for Murray from the corner, but James Coutts was unable to convert his chance.
Victory lifted and began to put the pressure on Murray’s defence as it looked for its second goal.
It came at the 17th minute when a gallant save from Fluss wasn’t enough to deny Katebian with the follow-up for his first of the day.
Despite conditions deteriorating with heavy rain and strong winds, Victory began to find its feet.
Melbourne Victory progressively dominated possession, and Murray United fought hard to keep them at bay.
While Murray held on to go into the half 2-0 down, Victory came out the stronger team in the second half and put three more past the visitors before the hour mark through John Maclean and George Howard.
Howard got his second shortly after, before Murray United found a consolation at the 70th minute through a cracker from the ever-present Adam Waters to make it 6-1.
The celebrations were short lived as Katebian got his second just minutes later.
Victory was relentless in its attack and managed to shut down what few opportunities Murray forged.
With minutes to go, Kieran Dover got his name on the score sheet before Joey Katebian completed his hat trick in injury time and complete the rout.
MATCH RESULTS
Murray United (Mathew Hasler 70’) defeated by Melbourne Victory 9 (Maclean 5’, 56’, Katebian 17’, 73’, 91’, Howard 55’, 67’, Dover 87’) at La Trobe.
Murray United: 1. Josh FLUSS, 16. Sean PYE (Harry DRUMMOND 54’), 23. Ben CHAFFEY, 34. Daniel MILLYNN (Josh, O’BRIEN 06’), 19. Tom MORISSON, 15. Ryan GILES, 8. James COUTTS, 9. Mathew HASLER, 4. Adam NTAKIRUTMANA (Lionel MASUDI 75’), 7. Zac WALKER
Unused Sub(s): Darcy PAWLIK, Ben RUSELL
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Melbourne Victory: 1. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS , 18. Christian CAVALLO, 3. Milos RIDESIC (2. Tom LAKIC 60’), 5. Damien MISKULIN, 8. Anthony DUZEL, 6. Stefan NIGRO (16. Patrick AVICE 65’), 10. Kieran DOVER, 17. George HOWARD, 9. Joey KATEBIAN, 11. John MACLEAN (4. Piesce WARINY 81’), 19. Nick GLAVAN
Unused Sub(s): 20. Wyatt CHANT
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
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