Avondale starting XI: Manos (GK), Wellsmore, Kamara, Brice, Carpenter, Towns, Tevere, Cuba, Ott, Valentini, Kur

Bench: Aguek, D’Argenio, Zinni, Trajceski, Courtney-Perkins, Mayen

Goals: Valentini 26’, Carpenter 54’, Cuba 64’, Kur 67’, Ott 69’

South Melbourne starting XI: Charlston (GK), Inglese, O’Sullivan, Spink, Halfpenny, Menelaou, Mesourouni, Brennan, Dovison, Nagamatsu

Bench: Gorr Burchmore, Durso, Head, Killick, Lopez, Papadimitriou

Head Coach Zoran Markovski made five changes to the starting XI, rotating the squad after the midweek clash. George Ott, Blake Carpenter, Kalilou Kamara, Cian Cuba and Kur Kur were all given starting roles.

Avondale began strongly, determined to dictate possession and control the early stages.

Just 15 minutes in, winger Stefan Valentini created the first chance of the match, unleashing a shot from just outside the penalty area that drifted narrowly wide of the post.

In the 26th minute, the Avengers won a corner. Kur Kur delivered an excellent ball into the box and found Valentini, whose header was initially cleared off the line by a South Melbourne defender. However, the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line.

Further opportunities followed, but the score would remain 1-0 heading into the break.

Eight minutes after the restart, Carpenter combined with Ott on the left flank. After playing a quick one-two, Carpenter drove forward and finished with a composed strike into the bottom-right corner.

In the 65th minute, Yitay Towns threaded a clever ball in behind the South Melbourne defence. Ott latched onto it and cut the ball back for Cuba, who volleyed home the third.

Only two minutes later, Ott controlled a long pass just inside his own half before sending a superb through ball for Kur Kur. The winger surged towards goal and calmly slotted past the keeper to make it 4-0.

Moments later, Ott struck again. Picking up the ball inside the penalty area, he turned sharply on the spot and rifled it into the top-left corner for the Avengers’ fifth.

The remaining 20 minutes saw Avondale manage the game with composure, keeping South Melbourne at bay and seeing out a comprehensive 5-0 victory.

The win lifts the Avengers to the top of the NPL Victoria table with just one match remaining - a home clash against Green Gully at Avenger Park, kicking off at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Focus now turns to Wednesday night’s Australia Cup Quarter Final against Brisbane City at Green Gully Reserve, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m.