The Young Reds lost out to a tough Melbourne City Youth Team in round 7 of the Foxtel Y-League 2017/18 Season in a seven-goal thriller in Melbourne.
In what was a top of the table clash with a a spot in the Grand Final on the line for Melbourne City, the Young Reds played one of the games of the season eventually going down 4-3 away from home.
Although ending in defeat, the team displayed some brilliant football to put City on the back foot with some fantastic high-press.
Melbourne City took the lead very early on with a well worked move in the 6’ minute, ending when Braedyn Crowley finished from close range.
The Young Reds found an equaliser through a Carlo Armiento wonder strike from outside the box and firing into the top corner.
Ramy Najjarine found himself in on goal shortly after in the 30’ minute and found the back of the net, finishing past Cameron Cook to make the score 2-1 Melbourne’s way.
The boys kept fighting in the second half when Charlie Devereux equalised from the spot in the first of two penalties that Melbourne would concede.
The second came In the 69th minute when Devereux again stepped up with a cool finish to take a momentary lead.
Melbourne City however found an immediate answer, scoring minutes later through Zach Bates who had rounded the defender and sent a low cross that deflected in off the keeper in the 76’ minute.
The winner came soon after, when City’s Gianluca Iannucci chipped the ball into the box and a half-volley from Dylan Pierias secured the three-points in the 81st minute.
Key Moments
6’| Goal Melbourne City: After a quick one-two, Winger Lucas Derrick is able to find Braedyn Crowley in the box. Crowley finishes from close range to give City the lead 1-0
25’| GOAL! AUFC: Carlo Armiento equalises for the Reds with a wonderous strike from outside the box into the top corner! The score is tied at 1-1
30’| Goal Melbourne City: Najjarine finds himself in on goal and finishes past the keeper to give City the lead once again. 2-1
41’| SAVE! Cook denies a chance for Melbourne City as goalscorer Najjarine fires at him from point blank range. Cook keeps the Reds in the game! 2-1
45′ | Another chance for the boys as Beric in on goals is denied from close range by Delianov! Still 2-1 in Melbourne
49′ | GOAL AUFC! Charlie Devereux equalises from the spot! 2-2
66’| SAVE! Another chance for City is denied by Cook, who makes a wonderful save from point blank range against Najjarine at the back post! 2-2
69’| PENALTY for AUFC! This could be the winner, Charlie Deveraux steps up to the spot!
70’| GOAL AUFC! Charlie Devaraux converts from the penalty spot again to put us ahead! Come on you Reds! 2-3
76′ | Goal Melbourne City: Bates rounds a defender, and his cross is deflected into the net by Cameron Cook to level the score at 3-3
81′ | Goal Melbourne City Youth: Iannucci chips the ball into the box to Pierias who hits the ball on the half-volley into the goal. City now lead 4-3
