By Matthew McNamara

Despite being down to nine men, Hume City has held on to record a 2-1 victory over Port Melbourne. 

Hume led after Abel Fesseha broke the deadlock just before halftime with his jinking run seeing him then release a stinging shot that left Stepjan Gal stranded.

The home side doubled its advantage when captain Richie Cardozo slotted a 62nd minute penalty, after Phil Riccobene was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.

But Port Melbourne didn’t give up and struck back when Cardozo inadvertently slotted the ball into his own net.

In a game that certainly wasn’t for the football purist, both teams looked to be lagging behind the pace early on. 

Opportunities were limited to set pieces, with Cardozo often the architect for Hume whilst Lambros Honos was whipping balls in for the visitors.

Referee Shaun Evans was kept busy, and had Joseph Franjic name in the book early after the former Melbourne Knights midfielder unleashed a crunching tackle on Andrew Milicevic.

But the breakthrough came before the break for Hume when Fesseha hammered home past Gal.

With both teams looking happy to sit back and play on the counter, Port Melbourne often looked dangerous when Kamal Ibrahim and Luka Prelevic travelled forward to support Honos who was playing in the lone striker role.

With Hume being gifted a soft penalty when Riccobene inexplicably handled in the area, Port were themselves gifted some hope when Johnny Stojcevski was sent off for his second bookable offence after a late challenge on the edge of the area.

The resulting free kick was wasted by Honos much to the frustration of the Port Melbourne bench.

Port then continued to press and sent on young winger Stefan Nigro in search of getting a goal back.

The goal was to come in the form of an own goal after a brilliant inswinging corner saw the ball ricochet of Cardozo before flying into the net.

As the minutes wore on Port Melbourne continued to press for an equaliser and looked dangerous as they went forward, with Hume having to sit back and absorb the pressure.

That pressure was to get greater moments later, when Franjic received his marching orders after a dragging down Honos as he ventured forward. 

With Hume down to nine men, Port Melbourne finally found the back of the net only for the goal to be sensationally denied by a late flag from the assistant referee.

Hume City coach Louie Acveski was disappointed with his side's output.

“Both teams were both well below average to be fair.  We struggled to create any real opportunities today,” Acevski said. 

“When we go down to 9 men obviously nerves kick in but we held on and we take the 3 points and that’s all that really matters.”

Next week a depleted Hume City will travel to Green Gully whilst Port Melbourne will host Melbourne Knights on Friday evening.

MATCH DETAILS

Hume City 2 (Fesseha 37’, Cardozo 62’) defeated Port Melbourne Sharks 1 (Own Goal ) at Broadmeadows Valley Park. [HT: 1-0]

Hume City: 1. Chris OLDFIELD, 5. Petar FRANJIC, 18. Johnny STOJCEVSKI, 4. Isyan ERDOGAN, 16. Ilhan ALTUNTAS (22. Niko JACKSON-TSEREXIDIS 63’), 8. Abel FESSAHA, 10. Richie CARDOZO, 44. John SAPAZOVSKI (7. Reis AYGUN 89’), 9. Anthony PROIA (28. Adrian BOGLIS), 6. Joe FRANJIC, 17. Aaron TURNER

Unused Subs: 39. Nick HEGARTY, 20. Dennys MARTIN

Port Melbourne Sharks: 22. Stjepan GAL, 20. Milos RIDOSIC, 23. Connor REDDAN, 3. James RICCOBENE, 19. Nick McNAMARA (11. Nicholas KROUSORATIS 46’), 27. Andrew MILICEVIC (4. Timothy PATON 79’), 17. Phillip RICCOBENE, 26. Lambros HONOS, 10. Luka PRELEVIC (15. Stefan NIGRO 74’), 14. Kamal IBRAHIM, 7. Amadu KOROMA

Unused Subs: 6. Chris GROSSMAN, 1. Adam HREHORESIN