AVONDALE starting XI: MANOS (GK), COURTNEY-PERKINS, REID, BRICE, EDWARDS, KATEBIAN, TEVERE, TRAJCEVSKI, VALENTINI, AGUEK, AHMED

Goals: Valentini 8’, Tevere 25’, Kur Kur 82’

Head Coach Zoran Markovski provided starting opportunities to Joey Katebian, Mathew Reid, Stefan Valentini and Yusuf Ahmed, showcasing the depth of talent in the Avengers Squad.

Dandenong City were coming into the game with confidence after having a comprehensive win the week before, away to reigning minor premiers South Melbourne.

In the 8th minute Avengers goalkeeper Thomas Manos launched a long ball forward causing a Dandenong City defender to mistime his clearance.

Avondale winger Valentini pounced on the defender’s mistake, finding himself in a one-on-one with the Dandenong City goalkeeper. Valentini showed great composure to slot the ball passed the oncoming keeper to give the Avengers the lead.

In the 25th minute another long clearance from Manos was flicked on by Valentini, who got the ball back from Manny Aguek, drove forward with the ball before laying it off to Ahmed.

Ahmed did well to slide a pass in between two Dandenong City defenders and find Luca Tevere on the edge of the box. Tevere struck the ball nicely, finding the far corner and taking Avondale’s lead to 2-0.

The second half saw both teams arm wrestling for possession and creating multiple chances.

The Avengers defended their 18 yard box well by getting good numbers back behind the ball and showing desperation in their defensive actions and clearances.

In the 82nd minute, Aguek pressured the Dandenong City player in possession inside the Avengers defensive half, forcing a turnover before playing the ball into the path of Kristian Trajcevski, who escalated the counterattack.

Trajcevski played a well weighted pass in front of speedy winger Zinni, who raced onto the ball to find himself in a favourable position up against the Dandenong City defence.

Zinni took his first and second touches into the penalty box, forcing the Dandenong City goalkeeper to mistime his challenge for the ball - giving the referee no choice but to award the Avengers a penalty.

Substitute Kur Kur stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake as the match finished 3-0 to Avondale.

This result continues Avondale’s strong performances this season, maintaining their lead in the NPL Victoria standings.