Words: Michael Flynn

A hat-trick to Melbourne City Youth’s Wade Dekker consigned Brisbane Roar Youth to a battling 4-3 defeat in a see-sawing Foxtel National Youth League match at CB Smith Reserve on Saturday.

Young Roar twice levelled terms via Nicholas D’Agostino, however ultimately fell short as goals to City Youth’s Hyundai A-League duo Dekker and Hernan Espindola delivered the hosts their second win of the campaign.

The result marks a second straight defeat for Young Roar and sees Josh McCloughan’s side lose their hold on top spot in Conference A of the competition.

The goals began flowing early as City Youth stormed to the lead after just three minutes of play – Dekker delivering the first of his haul by turning in a cutback from Stefan Zinni.

The hosts spurned several further chances before D’Agostino opened his and Young Roar’s account with a strong finish on the turn just after the quarter hour to level terms.

The momentum and chances remained with Young Roar as the half progressed before they edged ahead for the first time courtesy of an own goal from City Youth’s Tomislav Fadljecvic.

However, the advantage proved short-lived as Espindola sent the teams into half-time level after turning the ball home after build-up from Dekker and Zinni.

The to-and-fro continued immediately after the half as Decker delivered his second only for D’Agostino to reply almost instantly with a deflected strike that wrong-footed City Youth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi.

But Dekker proved irrepressible and completed his haul only minutes later with what proved the decisive goal of the contest - delivering a sharp finish on the turn.

Young Roar battled strongly until the end with Tom Miller delivering a crucial goal mouth clearance to keep his team in touch before Harrison Sawyer struck the crossbar with a solid strike in the final stages.

The result sees City Youth leap-frog Young Roar in Conference A into second place, while opening round conference leaders Adelaide United Youth return to top spot following a 3-0 win over Perth Glory Youth earlier in the day.

Two matches in Conference B will close out the round on Sunday – Western Sydney Wanderers Youth hosting FFA Centre of Excellence, while conference leaders Sydney FC Youth host Newcastle Jets Youth.

Young Roar continue their Foxtel National Youth League duties at Cleveland Showgrounds in a fortnight when they host Adelaide United Youth.

Foxtel National Youth League 2015/2016
Round 5 – Saturday, December 5
CB Smith Reserve, Melbourne

Melbourne City FC Youth  4 (Wade DEKKER 3’ 47’ 63’, Hernan ESPINDOLA 41’)
Brisbane Roar FC Youth  3 (Nicholas D’AGOSTINO 18’ 50’, own goal 38’)

Melbourne City FC Youth Starting XI: 34. Stefan ZINNI, 35. Philip PETRESKI, 36. Matthew MILLAR, 37. Leo ATHANASIOU, 39. Mahmut Ali EYIGUN (c), 40. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 43. Tomislav FADLJEVIC, 44. Jordan HALL, 46. Hernan ESPINDOLA, 47. Wade DEKKER, 48. Steve KUZMANOVSKI

Substitutes: 6. Denis GENREU, 38. Luke GALLO, 42. Jack WEST- ASTUTI (gk), 45. Andrija KECOJEVIC

Yellow Cards: unconfirmed

Red Cards: unconfirmed

Brisbane Roar FC Youth Starting XI: 1. Tomislav BILIC (gk), 2. Jaiden WALKER, 3. Cameron CRESTANI, 4. Mark RODIC, 5. Tom JARRARD, 7. Dane INGHAM, 9. Nicholas D’Agostino, 10. Adam SAWYER, 13. Mitch HORE (c), 17. Shannon BRADY, 18. Harrison SAWYER,

Substitutes: 12. Joseph CHAMPNESS, 20. Finn MATHESON (gk), 8. Tom MILLER, 11. Jayden PRASAD

Yellow Cards: unconfirmed

Red Cards: unconfirmed

Officials: Adam BAVCAR (referee), James HORTLE (assistant), Daniel ILIEVSKI (assistant), Lachlan KEEVERS (fourth)