Melbourne City FC’s senior NPL side has recovered from a Round 1 loss against Preston Lions with a professional 0-4 away win against Nunawading FC.
There was some quality finishing on display, with Stefan Colakovski, Jordan Bos, Marco Tilio and Jordi Valadon all getting their names on the scoresheet.
Starting XI
A-League pair Marco Tilio and Stefan Colakovski began the encounter playing as wingers in a 4-3-3 system, though the latter moved centrally towards the end of the game as substitutions influenced City’s shape and personnel.
The lineup is in ahead of our Round 2 clash with @NunaCityFC:
3. Kerrin STOKES
4. Alec MILLS
5. Jordan BOS
6. Jordi VALADON
9. Sam MORRISON ©
10. Marco TILIO
11. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES
15. Carbel SHAMOON
16. Taras GOMULKA
17. Stefan COLAKOVSKI
33. Matthew SUTTON (GK)— Melbourne City Youth – LIVE (@MelbCityYouth) March 27, 2021
What happened?
After a strong start, City were able to capitalise on their domination in the 7th minute, with winger Stefan Colakovski latching onto a ball inside the box and finishing with composure past the Nunawading keeper.
Colakovski was in the thick of things again in the 23rd, receiving the ball wide before driving towards the byline and flashing a dangerous ball across goal that incredibly evaded the runs of Sam Morrison and Tilio through the middle.
City’s dominance of the game continued throughout the half, with the side playing out from the back well, and eventually securing a second goal in the 25th minute thanks to a brilliant bit of individual play from Jordan Bos. The fullback began his run by driving infield from the left before weaving and tricking his way past the Nunawading defence, ultimately burying his shot in the top-right corner.
Morrison forced a fantastic save from the keeper not too long after, receiving the ball outside the box and – having initially waited for support from his teammates – elected to unleash a ripping right-footed strike across goal.
City’s #9 had another opportunity from Jordi Valadon’s corner in the 41st,, finding space to power a header towards goal that required another strong save from the keeper to deny a third first-half goal for City, with this being the team’s final big chance of the half.
The home side started much brighter in the second period, restricting Colakovski’s influence on the right and enjoying a larger share of possession than in the opening 45.
Nunawading’s improvement proved so drastic that it took until the 66th minute for City to get their next chance, with Morrison again giving Nunawading’s keeper a scare when he opted for a curling effort that dipped just over the bar.
The home side’s resistance was finally ended by Marco Tilio in the 77th minute, when the winger picked the ball up wide on the left, cut inside, weaved into the box and finished with a beautiful curling effort.
Unfortunately for Tilio, Jordi Valadon would better his effort only two minutes later, when the midfielder perfectly picked out the top-right corner with a gorgeous curler from outside the area.
Colakovski had City’s final chance of the encounter, released over the top in the 91st and calling the keeper into action to parry the ball to safety, with the final scoreline reading 0-4 to the visiting City team.
What’s next?
City’s NPL 3 side now find themselves with a win and a loss after two games, with a home fixture against North Sunshine Eagles to come in Round 3, two weeks time from now.
