The sun and the football were in plentiful supply as Melbourne City compiled the misery on Adelaide United with a 4-2 win at La Trobe’s Lower Playing Fields.
Wade Dekker did the damage either side of half-time before adding a second within seconds of the restart, with a 20-yard strike from Hernan Espindola and a penalty from Paulo Retre compounding the result.
A late attempt at a comeback never eventuated for Adelaide, who had to settle for two consolation goals late on.
An action packed first term saw City continue with their fluent, free-flowing football as the senior duo of Paulo Retre and Mass Murdocca lined up in the centre of midfield to control proceedings
The former especially looked in sharp touch and it was his delicate touch that saw Dekker break the lines on the half-hour mark, but the forward failed to test the keeper.
He had no such problems on the stroke of half-time as the former Northcote City boy emphatically opened the scoring following some delightful build-up play on the left wing, with Espindola the one with the squaring delivery.
Dekker had his brace in the 46th minute, moments after the restart, again tapping in from Espindola’s delivery.
His second was a little jammier as he converted from a scrap on the goal line.
City were looking at turning the contest into a rout after Espindola’s wonder goal for three, and when they were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute, it seemed destined.
But in a spot kick-that had more twists than a Christopher Nolan film, Paulo Retre needed two chances to convert.
After Anthony Rizk was bundled down in the area, Retre took to the spot to make it four unanswered, but the midfielder saw his effort saved, Dekker saw his follow up go inexplicably wide, only for the linesman to rule for a retake after the keeper was spotted coming off his line.
He made no mistake the second time, going low into the bottom corner.
Just when it looked at its most comfortable, Adelaide ensured City would have to work the entire 90 minutes as they piled on two in quick succession.
United substitute Dylan Smith paced past the defence to slot home calmly, just before full-back Ruon Tongyik hit a worldie from 25 yards to bring them within touching distance.
But that was as close as they got as City hung on for a fifth win of the year in front of their home support
Melbourne City 4 (Dekker 45’, 46’ Espindola 55’, Retre 69’) defeated Adelaide United 2 (Smith 75’, Tongyik 80’)
Melbourne City: 1. Lajos OLIVIERA (GK), 4. Connor CHAPMAN (5. Andrew MULLET 60’), 9. Wade DEKKER, 7. Hernan ESPINDOLA, 15. Ben GARUCCIO, 2. Tyler JAMES, 3. Tom KING (14. Leo ATHANASIOU 71’), 12. Phil PETRESKI (C), 11. Anthony RIZK, 6. Mass MURDOCCA (10. Luka PRELEVIC 60’), 8. Paulo RETRE
Unused Substitutes: 20. Tonio BARESIC
Yellow Oliviera 40’
Adelaide United: 2. Niko APOSTOLOPOULOS, 16. Jack BLADEN (c), 9. Anthony COSTA, 7. Bruce KAMAU, 8. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 3. Ruon TONGYIK, 15. Benjamin WARLAND, 5. Oliver ZAFRIDIS, 21. Cameron WATSON, 17. Fabio FERREIRA
