Melbourne Victory down ten-man Newcastle

Melbourne Victory have won their fourth game of the season defeating ten man Newcastle Jets 2-1 at Aami Park.

Life after Mehmet Durakovic began brightly for Melbourne Victory as it only took the home side seven minutes to take the lead. Marquee signing Harry Kewell provided a delightful cross from the left which was met by Hwan – Byun who unfortunately turned it into his own net.

The goal was a much needed boost for the blue side of Melbourne, who has endured a tumultuous week off the field.

Midway through the first half the visitors had their chance to find an equaliser, as a wonderful cross by Jeremy Brockie was met by Ryan Griffiths at the far post, his header however was tapped away by Covic. Moments later striker Labinot Haliti had an opportunity to level the scores but his strike was straight at the Victory shot-stopper.

The home side had an opportunity through the in-form Archie Thompson to double the lead, as he dribbled past the Jets defence before unleashing a strike on goal which cannoned of the post.

Both sides continued to show attacking intent, however both defences stood up when it mattered not allowi0ng any further clear cut chances.

Victory made a positive start to the second half, pressuring their opponents deep into their own half although chances were limited.

In the 53rd minute matters got much worse for the visitors as Tarek Elrich was shown a straight red card after a last man tackle on Victory striker Danny Allsopp.

With Newcastle reduced to ten men, the Victory had a couple of chances to double their lead. Firstly, a great delivery by Hernandez was met by an unmarked Franjic whos header on goal was straight at Kennedy. Moments later Kennedy pulled off another great save this time denying a Thompson header.

With fifteen minutes remaining the Victory finally turned a chance into a goal, as Byun sensationally found the back of his own net for the second time this evening. Hernandez played through a magnificent ball to Thompson who unselfishly tried to set up Allsopp, his pass however was met by the Korean defender.

Newcastle hopes of gaining anything from this clash was back on the agenda as Byun was in the action yet again in the 84th minute, this turning provider for the visitors as his low cross was beautifully tucked away by captain Ryan Griffiths.
The goal was too little too late for the visitors as the hosts hung on for the three points and only their fourth win of the season.

The Football Sack ‘Player of the Year’ votes

3- Carlos Hernandez
2- Harry Kewell
1- Ben Kennedy

MV – Ante COVIC, Petar FRANJIC, Rodrigo VARGAS, FABIO, Matthew FOSCHINI, Leigh BROXHAM, Grant BREBNER, Carlos HERNANDEZ (75th min Marco ROJAS), Archie THOMPSON, Danny ALLSOPP (87th min Isaka CERNAK), Harry KEWELL.
Subs not Used – Lawrence THOMAS, Diogo FERREIRA.

NJ – Ben KENNEDY, Tiago CALVANO, Ben KANTAROVSKI, Jeremy BROCKIE (76th min Ali ABBAS), Sung-Hwan BYUN, Tarek ELRICH, Labinot HALITI, Marko JESIC (56th min Mario SIMIC), Ryan GRIFFITHS, Jacob PEPPER.
Subs not Used –Michael BRIDGES, Matthew NASH.