Melbourne City produced a commanding display at Paisley Park on Saturday afternoon, coming away with a composed 3-0 victory over Altona Magic.
Tobias Servin was electric alongside the in-form Roland Ballah, with the pair combining for all three goals in a clinical attacking display as City secured back-to-back away victories.
Team News
Head Coach Stuart McDonald made a single change to the lineup following last week’s win against St Albans, bringing in Luka Demuth to the side.
Starting XI: 1. Lachlan CHARLES (GK), 3. Ryan KALMS (C), 5. Mathew BAKER, 6. Angus MACKINTOSH, 7. Aaron CARTWRIGHT, 8. Christian POLYZOUDIS, 9. Tobias SERVIN, 11. Akeem GERALD, 12. Isiah BOSTON, 14. Roland BALLAH, 26. Luka DEMUTH
Substitutes: 25. Julian RECCHIA, 27. Kai SATILMIS, 28. Dimitri VLANES, 31. Thomas NASSO, 40. Nicholas VARDAKAS, 67. Sam ROBSON (GK)
What Happened?
The contest started evenly, with both sides earning a share of the ball. However, we looked more dangerous, as we regularly worked the ball into the final third.
Goalkeeper Lachlan Charles was called into action in the 17th minute and comfortably collected a header from a set-piece delivery into the box. Soon after, shots from Aaron Cartwright from distance looked to test the Magic keeper.
We found the breakthrough on the half-hour mark through a quick move from a throw-in. Isiah Boston’s throw from the left of the pitch was flicked on by Tobias Servin into the path of Roland Ballah, who reacted quickly to steer an outside-the-boot finish from close range into the back of the net.
Buoyed by the opener, we continued to control proceedings, keeping Magic pinned in their own half and creating a number of promising attacking opportunities.
Our relentless pressure paid off again just before half-time as Ballah capitalised on a defensive lapse. Winning possession, he played Servin through on goal, with the forward making no mistake as he slotted home to extend the lead to two going into the break.
We commenced the second half on the back foot, with the hosts applying pressure from the outset. Charles was tested early, as he was forced into a sharp save to his left following a shot from distance.
With pressure mounting on our defence, the hosts were close to finding their way into the game close to the hour mark. A misplaced pass at the back allowed an attacker to burst into the box, where Ryan Kalms and Nicholas Vardakas quickly converged to deny the opportunity.
We soon settled back into the game past the hour mark, as we created another promising opportunity through Akeem Gerald. His half-volley from outside the area was struck cleanly but was comfortably helped over the bar by the goalkeeper.
City sealed the result in the 77th minute with a quick attacking move. Angus Mackintosh won the ball before sending a pinpoint pass to Ballah, who struck it in the box past the onrushing goalkeeper.
We remained dangerous in the closing stages, controlling the remainder of the contest as we wrapped up a deserved 3-0 win over Altona Magic.
What’s Next?
Our attention now turns to a major home fixture this Saturday at 3pm, as we host Heidelberg United in a fourth v fifth matchup at ctrl:cyber Pitch.
