Melbourne City FC have opened their pre-season in resounding fashion, putting ten goals past NPL Victoria side Oakleigh Cannons on Tuesday night.
A strong City line up made light work of the mid-table NPL side, putting five away either side of the half to cap off the impressive showing.
It was no surprise Bruno Fornaroli was the highlight of the contest, netting four goals alongside a double from Nick Fitzgerald, and the result was rounded out by singles from Denis Genreau, Luke Brattan, Anthony Caceres and NPL product Nathaniel Atkinson.
In Warren Joyce’s first match in charge, a strong City eleven was put out on the field, interestingly making his first personnel change after 82 minutes.
It was all City from the get-go but the first real chance of the match fell to the Cannons as ex-youth player Dusan Bosnjak tested Dean Bouzanis from distance. His long-range strike stung the palms of the keeper, firing an early warning sign but City regained control of the contest, finding the back of the net after 18 minutes.
Fitzgerald opened the scoring after a brilliant piece of hold-up play from Fornaroli and City piled on the goals after that, scoring in the 28th, 30th and 35th minute with the Uruguayan finding his brace.
City didn’t have it all their way however as a scare went through Warren Joyce’s side off the boot of Dean Piemonte. The dead ball specialist dipped his effort over the wall, hitting the upright and seeing the follow-up hit straight to the hands of Bouzanis.
The visitors however would find their fifth just before the break and a brilliant combination in the final third that saw flicks and backheels aplenty was finished off with the easiest of volleys from Fornaroli to make it 0-5.
A relatively timid return from the break saw City wait until the 62nd minute before they would break their second half deadlock as Caceres joined in the party, combining with Fornaroli and burying his effort low, past the keeper.
The 60 to 70 minute mark saw City pile on four goals to take the tally to nine, with Caceres as mentioned, Genreau, Fitzgerald and Fornaroli adding to the score line.
City would hit double figures on the stroke of full-time as substitute Atkinson found the back of the net with a powerful effort, giving the NPL product a souvenir for his first outing with the senior side.
Warren Joyce’s side now turns its attention to the second pre-season fixture against NPL opposition in Bentleigh Greens on Tuesday 25 July at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, kick-off 7.30pm.
Don’t forget to join us for our FFA Cup Launch event on Wednesday 19 July at the Stomping Ground in Collingwood! For $15 receive a City pint glass, a complimentary pint of the ‘City Pale Ale’ and pizza on the night as we’ll hold a special screening of the 2016 FFA Cup Final. Click here for tickets.
Melbourne City FC: Dean Bouzanis, Manny Muscat, Scott Jamieson (82′ Christian Cavallo), Osama Malik, Nick Fitzgerald, Neil Kilkenny, Anthony Caceres (86′ Nathaniel Atkinson), Michael Jakobsen, Bruno Fornaroli, Luke Brattan (82′ Bradeyn Crowley), Denis Genreau (82′ Josh Cavallo)
Unused subs: Eugene Galekovic, Dylan Pierias
