Merrick's Victory put forgettable week behind them

Following an Hyundai A-League record 8-1 drubbing at the hands of Adelaide United, the North Queensland Fury welcomed Melbourne Victory to Dairy Farmers Stadium on Australia Day for the final fixture of Round 24.

North Queensland had the better of possession in the first half though composure and accuracy in front of goal remained an issue for the Fury. Repeat raids in the first ten minutes culminating in David Williams strikes were matched by Michael Petkovic, who parried expertly with each attempt. The absence of Melbourne Victory club captain Kevin Muscat provided the Fury with opportunities all night.

Adrian Leijer did little to allay concerns aired earlier in the week by former Socceroos midfielder Craig Foster of a “culture of violence” within the club when, with the game at the quarter hour mark, the stand-in captain arrived late with a slide tackle and studs showing. The leading leg clattered young Brad McDonald on his right shin with force enough to knock him clean off his heels. Referee Matthew Gillett, in his first match officiating the Melbourne Victory, produced a yellow card to a remorseful Leijer; who in truth was lucky not to receive a straight red.

The Victory went ahead on 27 minutes against the run of play through an excellent piece of build up work through twin Costa Ricans Marvin Angulo and Carlos Hernandez. Acting in concert, the pair released Tom Pondeljak wide right. Pondeljak laid on a ball from the byline to Danny Allsopp who finished clinically to a flailing and out of position Eric Akoto. Credit must go to the Victory and their killer instinct when the opportunity arose.

The Fury, by contrast, continued to get into good positions with Isaka Cernak and David Williams in particular arriving late but the final effort continued to lack accuracy and composure.

This was the tale of the first half as the sides hit the sheds.

When hostilities re-commenced, it was Isaka Cernak who was first out of the blocks. An exemplary piece of dancing with the ball in the area fairly bamboozled the out of form Roddy Vargas. Caught one step behind and flat footed, Cernak left Vargas in his wake and wrapped a shot on target which Petkovic was again equal to.

Great football.

As the Fury were looking good to get back into the match, the Victory killer instinct brought on a second goal from only their third shot on target. Central to the goal, and indeed the outcome of the match, was the substitution of Carlos Hernandez for Mate Dugandzic.

Whilst five minutes earlier Hernandez had stormed up the tunnel, a Melbourne corner drew Justin Pasfield whose mistimed punch fell perfectly for Dugandzic. The young midfielder rose strongly and powered a header on target which drew the Victory two goals clear.

Moments later Dugandzic had a second when a poor back-pass by Akoto left Pasfield exposed. Dugandzic rounded the 'keeper with a heavy touch but was good enough to wrong-foot Mark Hughes on the line.

The match should have finished four nil to the Blue and White Melbournites as Diogo Ferreira endured what was one of the lowlights of the season as he missed an open goal from six yards. The promising young midfielder instead shanked his shot as it hit the crossbar and went over.

Melbourne Victory equanimity following a difficult week has the club picking up three points. Well done.