The business end of the NPL3 season is near, with City set to take on Nunawading City this Saturday as just five fixtures remain.
John Maisano’s squad will be looking to continue its push for promotion, the team currently on a four-match winning run and having only tasted defeat twice for the whole season.
City was made to fight hard for the three points last time out though, prevailing over Geelong SC after trailing at half-time.
It didn’t take the visiting City side long to erase the first half deficit, with Moonib Adus netting just a minute into the second 45.
This trend would continue for the remainder of the match, as City held the ball for long periods and did majority of the attacking.
After assisting the first goal, Emin Durakovic was on target for City’s second, with skipper Harry Politidis also finding the back of the net not long after, following a brilliant solo run.
Max Caputo’s eight goal (in just 10 appearances) of the season capped off a strong second half performance, with the win maintaining City’s four-point lead atop the table.
Maisano would’ve also been impressed with another resolute effort defensively from his side, as the only goal conceded came due to an unfortunate error in goal. City has allowed the second least goals of the any team in the NPL3 competition this season, giving up less than a goal a game on average.
While maybe not quite as tight at the back throughout the season, Saturday’s opponents, Nunawading City, are also enjoying a nice run of form also. It has now won four of its last five fixtures and will come into the weekend’s clash full of confidence following a 4-1 win over Whittlesea Ranges last time out.
A hattrick to Archibald Macphee did the damage, with the striker now moving into second in the Golden Boot race, behind our own Arion Sulemani who has missed the last couple of fixtures due to a hamstring niggle.
City will certainly to hoping to see Sulemani return to the fold this Saturday, with the young forward having already been on the scoresheet against Nunawading in a 2-0 win back in Round 7.
Match Details
NPL3 Victoria: Round 18
Melbourne City FC v Nunawading City FC
Saturday 16 July, 3:00pm kick-off
Parade College, Bundoora
