Melbourne City have claimed a 3-2 win over Adelaide United in the National Youth League fixture on Sunday.
City raced away to a three-goal advantage courtesy of strikes from Stefan Zinni, Steve Kuzmanovski and Hernan Espindola, before Samed Altundag and Dylan Smith pulled two back in the second half.
However, the side boasting senior figures Jason Trifiro, Michael Zullo, Wade Dekker and Espindola was able to weather the storm and hold on for victory.
The hosts got off to a flying start when Hernan Espindola played in Zinni for the easiest of finishes in the sixth minute.
Steve Kuzmanovski then doubled the advantage in the 20th minute, punishing Adelaide for a mistake at the back.
City continued to assert their ascendancy over the hosts for the remainder of the half despite not adding to the scoreboard.
A Jason Trifiro cross eventually found Zinni, whose shot was deflected for a corner.
Ali Eyigun’s curling left-footed shot from the resulting set-piece was then saved by the keeper.
Adelaide did have one effort on goal towards the end of the half, though Dylan Smith’s effort was blocked by Anthony Casset.
Espindola turned from provider to goalscorer after the break, finding the back of the net right after the restart.
Zinni also continued to threaten the Adelaide goal, having another shot on target saved by Margush.
Samed Altundag pulled one back for visitors in the 68th minute, played through by former Melbourne Knights and Victory player Jordan O’Doherty.
It was two goals in as many minutes for Adelaide as Smith pounced to give the visitors a sniff of a miraculous comeback victory.
Substitute Andy Kecojevic came inches away from settling his side’s late nerves, connecting with a Zinni cross into the six-yard box only to be denied by a diving save from Margush.
Wade Dekker was the next to spur an opportunity to put the result beyond doubt, volleying Espindola’s cross over the bar.
Phil Petreski was also denied late by Margush as City closed the contest strongly without adding to the scoreboard, finishing 3-2 winners.
Melbourne City 3 (Zinni 6′ Kuzmanovski 20′ Espindola 46′) defeated Adelaide United 2 (Altundag 68′ Smith 70′) at CB Smith Reserve
Melbourne City: 37. Leo Athanasiou, 40. Anthony Casset (GK), 39. Ali Eyigun, 43. Tomislav Fadljevic (35. Phil Petreski 62′), 44. Jordan Hall, 48. Steve Kuzmanovski (Luke Gallo 46′), 34. Stefan Zinni, 6. Michael Zullo (45. Andy Kecojevic 66′), 5. Jason Trifiro, 47. Wade Dekker, 46. Hernan Espindola
Unused Substitutes: 42. Yianni Skliros
Yellow Cards: Zullo 40′, Dekker 87′
Adelaide United: 11. Samed Altundag, 8. Nathan Konstandopoulos, 20. Daniel Margush, 12. Mark Ochieng, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 9. Donovan Pollock, 4. Jordan Pudler, 3. Ruon Tongyik, 7. Antoni Trimboli, 15. Benjamin Warland
Substitutes: 18. Jordan O’Doherty, 2. Nicholas Apostolopoulos, 17. Thomas Love, 1. Sergio Serret (GK)
Yellow Cards: Pollock 51′, Ochieng 56′