Two Daniel Foschini penalties saw Melbourne Victory return to the National Youth League winners list at the expense of Adelaide United.
The Victory captain’s spot-kick abilities proved the difference in a comfortable 2-0 win at a windswept John Cain Memorial Park, but the home side certainly had enough opportunities to have won by a greater margin.
Foschini snuck his first one just past despairing Adelaide goalkeeper Mark Birighitti for Victory’s first in the 18th minute.
For the Reds No.1 it was a missed chance for redemption, having conceded the penalty when he fouled Victory striker James Kalifatidis.
It would only mark the start of a bad afternoon for the Australian under-19 custodian, who was marched 11 minutes into the second-half for bringing down Geoff Kellaway in a one-on-one challenge after the English import had got in behind United’s defence.
Up stepped Foschini and the rest was history as he slotted it coolly past substitute stopper Nicholas Munro.
Victory created enough opportunities to win at least three games, particularly during the second-half as 10-man Adelaide pushed forward to salvage something from the contest.
Kellaway, who has featured intermittently for Victory’s first-team, will rue his profligacy after squandering three guilt-edged chances.
But that was the only concern of the Englishman’s game, because Kellaway played with purpose and will have done his hopes of a recall from coach Ernie Merrick no harm.
Victory was also well-served by the industrious Damir Lokvancic, central defender Petar Franjic, goalkeeper Sebastian Mattei and skipper Foschini in an important win for the Mehmet Durakovic-coached line-up, who move to 15 points from 10 matches.
Adelaide still languishes second-last and could drop to last if Sydney FC beat the Newcastle Jets in their re-scheduled clash on Wednesday night.
Saying that, the Reds had a few bright spots, particularly the game of skilful left-back Bradley Morton.
Morton looked dangerous with a host of mazy runs going forward, while also appearing assured in defence.
Captain Matthew Mullen marshalled his troops and striker Evan Kostopoulos worked tirelessly as the lone man up front.
Melbourne Victory 2 (Daniel Foschini 17 pen, 58 pen)
Adelaide United 0 at John Cain Memorial Park, Thornbury.
