Western United travelled to Marvel Stadium to take on Melbourne Victory for the first-ever time.
And the blockbuster clash did not disappoint.
The Victory came out of the blocks early, stunning United’s defence to strike twice in the opening seven minutes.
Ola Toivonen’s long-range effort broke the deadlock.
Moments later the Swede found Kristijan Dobras who finished calmly to make it two.
United responded emphatically though when Alessandro Diamanti scored his first for the club.
The Italian showed his class, striking emphatically to make it 2-1.
The Green and Black soon had their equaliser.
Scott McDonald found Josh Risdon whose header across goal resulted in James Donachie putting it into his own net.
It was early in the second half when United remarkably found themselves ahead.
McDonald scored his first A-League goal to complete the comeback on 50 minutes.
The game tightened up from there on with neither side able to create clear-cut chances.
Western United held on for a famous win at Marvel Stadium.
STORY OF THE GAME
1′ KICK-OFF
6’ GOAL – Ola Toivonen’s long-range strike finds the bottom corner.
7’ GOAL – Toivonen finds Kristijan Dobras who makes it 2-0.
15’ GOAL – Alessandro Diamanti pulls one back for United with a well-taken strike. 2-1.
29’ GOAL – Scott McDonald finds Josh Risdon who heads it across goal, before James Donachie puts it into his own net.
41’ CHANCE – McDonald shoots from long-range and it comes back out off the post.
HALF-TIME
50’ GOAL – Scott McDonald turns in the box, before his shot is deflected and finds the back of the net. 3-2 United.
77′ CHANCE – A sweeping counter-attack sees Berisha left one on one with Donachie who does well to clean up.
FULL-TIME Melbourne Victory 2 (Ola TOIVONEN 6’, Kristijan DOBRAS) Western United 3 (Alessandro Diamanti 15’, James DONACHIE OG 29’, Scott MCDONALD 50’)
Melbourne Victory squad: 2.Storm ROUX, 4.James DONACHIE, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 11.Ola TOIVONEN (c), 14.Thomas DENG, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 18.Migjen BASHA, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Adama TRAORE , 3.Corey BROWN 87’), 22.Kristijan DOBRAS (7.Kenny ATHIU 67’), 25.Brandon LAUTON (8.Jakob POULSEN 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: 50.Brendan WHITE, 16.Josh HOPE, 19.Ben CARRIGAN, 24.Anthony LESIOTIS
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Western United FC squad: 1.Filip KURTO (GK), 4.Andrew DURANTE, 5.Dylan PIERIAS, 6.Connor CHAPMAN, 8.Panagiotis KONE, 10.Scott MCDONALD (14.Max BURGESS 80’), 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Dario JERTEC, 18.Besart BERISHA (5.Dylan PIERIAS 89’), 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Ersan GULUM, 23.Alessandro DIAMANTI (2.Aaron CALVER 90+2′)
Substitutes Not Used: 20.James DELIANOV (GK), 3.Brendan HAMILL, 13.Ivan VUJICA, 26.Kwabena APPIAH-KUBI
Yellow cards: Connor PAIN 11′, josh RISDON 75’, Dario JERTEC 82’, Besart Berisha 89’
Red cards: None
