Melbourne City FC fought out a 0-0 draw with the Melbourne Victory at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday as the tame contests saw both sides settle for a point.
Both sides were nervy in the opening stages of the match with Melbourne City FC looking to keep the ball more than their opponents.
Wade Dekker, who has been one of the FNYL side’s biggest threats all season, found space on the right wing to cut-in and dribble his way into the penalty area but the striker’s scuffed shot fell safely to the goalkeeper.
Marco Stevanja was called on early for Melbourne City FC as the ‘keeper made two interventions to swat Victory’s counter-attacks with the home side looking to employ that tactic from the outset.
It was a masterful ball from Anthony Rizk however that almost found Dekker in the 26th minute which almost saw the striker open the scoring. Dekker was just beaten to the ball by Victory ‘keeper Spinella as the two collided and the foul was given to the ‘keeper
The opening half was riddled with half chances that went begging, with Melbourne City FC unable to penetrate with conviction in the final third but both sides entered the break level.
The home side returned from half-time with more vigour as the Victory broke on a range of occasion to be thwarted by Melbourne City FC.
A Victory free-kick in the 49th minute flashed across Melbourne City FC’s penalty area, missing a host of legs and sprayed over the bar at the back post.
However Melbourne City FC retained their form from the first half and almost opened the scoring. A brilliant Luka Prelevic ball was met by an even better diagonal run from Rizk to see Spinella save with his feet but the play was deemed to be offside.
Prelevic was in the thick of it once again as the striker’s shot from distance forced a comfortable save from Spinella.
Both sides pushed for a winner, as the Victory almost broke the deadlock. Jordan O’Doherty’s brilliant cross was flicked on by Lucas Derrick and trickled across Stevanja’s goal line.
Melbourne City FC had an opportunity of their own as Gallo failed to pounce on a defensive error that saw a last gasp clearance eliminate the danger.
However both sides had to settle with a point as Joe Palatsides’ side stil sits in the top three of the FNYL.
Melbourne City FC’s next home match is on Sunday against the Newcastle Jets at the Lower Playing Fields, La trobe University.
