Avondale starting XI: Manos (GK), Wellsmore, Kamara, Brice (C), Carpenter, Towns, Trajcevski, Cuba, Ott, Zinni, Kur
Goals: Ott 15’, Valentini 70’
They started brightly, moving the ball with tempo and precision. But after 10 minutes, and against the run of play, Green Gully broke down the right, forcing a deflection off Aiden Brice and into the Avengers’ net.
Just five minutes later, Stefan Zinni burst down the left and cut across goal for George Ott to finish at the near post to equalise for Avondale.
On 19 minutes, Blake Carpenter played a clever first-time pass to Ott, who rolled his marker and squared for Kristian Trajcevski, only for the chance to be scrambled clear. Five minutes later, a Kur Kur free kick found Kalilou Kamara at the back post, but his powerful header flew just wide.
In the 37th minute, a defensive error by Green Gully left Zinni one-on-one with the keeper, but his lob sailed over.
Early in the second half, Cian Cuba slipped a pass into Kur, who beat his man but shot narrowly wide. Cuba then came close himself in the 66th, curling a free kick just past the near post. Four minutes later, Carpenter weaved into the box and unleashed a fierce strike, forcing a strong save.
From the resulting corner, substitute Luca Tevere delivered perfectly for Stefan Valentini to head home and give the Avengers the lead. Minutes later, Tevere drove through midfield and slid Valentini in again, but the latter’s low strike drifted wide. The score would remain 2-1.
When the final whistle blew, Avenger Park erupted as Avondale sealed the Minor Premiership.
Meanwhile, the Avengers will play in the semi final of the Australia Cup against A-League side Newcastle on Sunday, August 31 at Avenger Park. Kick off is at 3 p.m.
