Melbourne Victory’s youth team ended a miserable weekend for the club on a positive note after a convincing 2-0 win over crosstown rivals Heart in the youth derby.
Two late strikes from Andrew Nabbout and Jesse Makarounas ensured Victory’s dominance was reflected on the scoreboard, and salvaged some pride for the Navy Blues, after both Victory’s men’s and women’s sides lost 3-2 and 5-1 to Sydney FC respectively.
Victory were boosted by the return of a host of personnel less than 24 hours after the senior squad’s frustrating away loss, including coach Darren Davies and players Lawrence Thomas, Rashid Mahazi, Scott Galloway, Guilherme Finkler and Nabbout, the latter two seeing some game time off the bench against the Sky Blues.
The match began scrappily with both teams remaining compact, congesting the midfield in an attempt to control the game from the middle.
Heart created the first scoring opportunity in the 6th minute, but were denied the lead as Andrew Mullet’s header was desperately saved by Thomas.
Darren Davies’ more experienced side then started to assert their authority on the contest with a high press, forcing Heart into rushed errors.
Finkler looked threatening from set pieces, blazing one of his free kicks just wide of Heart keeper Marko Stevanja.
Chris Cristaldo and Nabbout looked imposing on the wings, getting on the end of a few balls into the area, but could not find the back of the net as the visitors’ defence stood tall.
Despite Victory’s territorial advantage, Heart’s sound defensive structure ensured the contest remained a stalemate at half time.
The second half played out in similar fashion to the first, with Victory threatening to get behind Heart’s defence on a number of occasions, but could not quite find the killer ball.
Heart, meanwhile, looked threatening on the counter, and provided a few anxious moments for the hosts.
As the game progressed deep into the second half, the scoreline was looking likely to emulate the first A-league Melbourne derby.
However, Nabbout’s 86th minute bullet proved too powerful for Stevanja, who got a hand to the ball before it lobbed into the back of the net.
It continued Nabbout’s rich vein of form in the National Youth League, taking his goal tally to five from three games.
With Heart pushing for the equalizer, Victory pounced as Nabbout turned provider, feeding Makarounas who placed his shot into the bottom corner.
Heart had late calls for a penalty waved away, and substitute Matthew Millar struck one high.
The loss ended Heart’s winning start to the season, while improved Victory’s record to two wins and a draw.