Melbourne Victory snared a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Western United and ensure milestone man Leigh Broxham didn’t leave his 350th A-League Men’s game empty handed.
REACTION: ‘I’VE BEEN SHAPED BY THIS CLUB’: BROXHAM HONOURED FOR ONE-CLUB MILESTONE
Nikolai Topor-Stanley, in his 358th game, looked set to spoil Broxham’s party when he headed home in the 47th minute, before former United defender Brendan Hamill equalised in the 85th.
The draw extends both teams’ winless runs to three games, with United second behind Melbourne City and Victory sitting sixth.
United will also sweat on Josh Risdon’s fitness after the luckless Socceroos defender landed awkwardly in the 11th minute and was substituted 11 minutes later.
“We’ve got a few experienced players out plus Josh Risdon going down quite early that we had to reshuffle the whole backline and our midfield,” coach John Aloisi said.
“Really proud of the group. They show time and time again when things are against them, especially after losing the last game, that they react well and their resilience is really good.
“Josh Risdon’s so strong that he doesn’t go down for no reason, so little bit worried, and he tried so many times to get through it.
“It’s unfortunate. Hopefully it’s nothing serious. Hopefully it’s something that will only keep him out – he’s suspended on Saturday anyway – for a short period because he’s massive for us.”
After Victory’s Francesco Margiotta hit the bar on the stroke of half-time, United pounced.
Lachie Wales whipped a corner towards the near post where Connor Pain flicked on a header for Topor-Stanley to power home.
Jamie Young then pulled off exceptional saves to deny Jake Brimmer in the 53rd minute and Marco Rojas nine minutes later and Jason Geria in the 83rd.
Two minutes later Jason Davidson skidded a ball towards the near post where Hamill flicked home to snare a point.
“We had to forget that (conceding after half-time) quickly and maybe it shows how far the team has come or the club,” Victory coach Tony Popovic said.
“That just shows you how far they’ve come. You can see there is a lot of belief in the group.
“Maybe last year that’s a game we as a club lose and maybe lose it well, lose it comfortably.”
Popovic also hailed Broxham, who entered the fray in the 78th minute.
“I’ve always watched him from afar and in seeing him play all the various positions on the field and always do a good job for Melbourne Victory,” he said.
“Now, I’ve got the opportunity to coach him.
“It’s a credit to himself and his family and also a credit to the football club to have him here for so long and hopefully he will be here for a very long time in whatever capacity that is.”
RE-LIVE: MELBOURNE VICTORY 1-1 WESTERN UNITED, AS IT HAPPENED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
FULL-TIME: VICTORY 1-1 UNITED
It ends all square at AAMI Park as Victory come from behind to take a point in a 1-1 draw.
85′: GOAL! Hamill flick puts Victory on level terms (1-1)
The stage was set for yet another 1-0 united win before Brendan Hamill got forward to score for Victory, arriving at the front post to sweep a low cross past the previously impenetrable Jamie Young.
There’s less than five minutes on the clock for United to respond, or for Victory to snatch all three points.
79′: Broxham on for game 350 (0-1)
A standing ovation around AAMI Park for Leigh Broxham, who becomes the first player to notch 350 Isuzu UTE A-League appearances for one club.
The Victory veteran comes on with his side chasing the game.
72′: CHANCE! Ikonomidis curler goes close (0-1)
Victory have created multiple chances to equalise – but Jamie Young has repeatedly been up to the task.
In the 72nd minute Young denied Chris Ikonomidis’ curling shot from distance; the ball appeared destined to nestle into the bottom corner before Young’s intervention.
62′: Young prevents Rojas with lunging save (0-1)
A brilliant Jamie Young save has denied Marco Rojas and Melbourne Victory an equaliser.
The Kiwi forward dribbled his way into space in the box, lashing a strike off his left foot on target. Young was back-tracking, but managed to get an outstretched glove on the ball to concede a corner instead of the levelling goal.
46′: GOAL! Topor-Stanley puts United ahead (0-1)
It had been coming in the first half. But just one minute into the second 45, Nikolai Topor-Stanley put his name on an Isuzu UTE A-League scoresheet for the first time in two years.
It was too easy for Topor-Stanley, who stood on the edge of the six-yard box to meet a flick on from the near post and head the ball home from a corner routine.
And how about the celebration from the big central defender in his 357th Isuzu UTE A-League appearance:
45+1′: Margiotta misses gilt-edged chance (0-0)
“How did Francesco Margiotta not score from there?” Asked Paramount+ commentator Robbie Thompson as the Italian hammered the crossbar with virtually the last kick of the first half.
An ambitious ball into the penalty area looked set to be cleared with ease by United but the header fell directly to Margiotta all alone in the box. He had time to get his shot on target, but with the goal at his mercy Margiotta fired off the bar.
22′: Skotadis on for Risdon (0-0)
Risdon attempted to carry on, but lasted just five more minutes before being replaced by Skotadis. The severity of the injury is unclear at this stage.
18: Risdon injury cause for concern (0-0)
Josh Risdon appeared set for an early night after falling awkwardly with his right leg trapped beneath him. He appeared hampered by a lower leg injury, and Jerry Skotadis was prepared to come on for the United captain – but Risdon is continuing for now at AAMI Park.
8′: SAVE! Lustica denied by Kelava (0-0)
The ball sat up nicely for Steven Lustica inside United’s attacking penalty area – but Victory keeper Ivan Kelava’s fingertips denied the midfielder a well-taken goal.
Two corners were to follow, with Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s header on goal from the latter cleared off the line by a desperate Victory defence.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We’re underway at AAMI Park! Melbourne Victory left-back Jason Davidson’s ambitious strike from distance with 20 seconds on the clock is the first half-chance of the evening.
TEAM NEWS
It’s game number 350 in the Isuzu UTE A-League for Melbourne Victory stalwart Leigh Broxham; he starts on the bench for Tony Popovic’s side against a Western United outfit eager to end tonight on top of the table.
United currently sit one point behind league-leaders Melbourne City, who kick off against Brisbane Roar tonight at 7.35pm (AEDT).
