By Marissa Lordanic

Avondale FC has emphatically defeated Werribee City 6-0 at Avondale Heights Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

A hat trick to Mat Sanders, as well as goals to Massimo Murdocca, Jeffery Fleming and Michele Crazia ensured that Avondale secured back-to-back victories and made Werribee’s survival fight all the more difficult. 

Avondale looked threatening from the outset and found the back of the net in the seventh minute.

Jeffery Fleming scored his second in two weeks from Massimo Murdocca’s corner, the ball falling to the midfielder who struck it sweetly. 

The home side was two-nil up in as many minutes.

Fleming turned provider, crossing the ball to Mat Sanders, who was there at the back post for a simple tap in.   

Avondale was relentless in its attack and Werribee was unable to hold any sort of possession for an extended period of time. 

The hosts looked eager to add a third to their tall with Francesco Stella and Jason Principato both having chances; Stella’s 29th minute attempt hitting the woodwork while Principato’s 31st minute effort dragged just wide of the far post. 

Sanders was able to score Avondale’s third – and his second for the day – in the 39th minute. 

Werribee ‘keeper Frano Saric came off his line to collect the ball but Alex Khrapko was able to thread it through to Sanders who had an empty goal in front of him. 

The home side continued its attacking performance from the first half, with Michele Crazia going on a bursting run through the centre of the park, releasing Khrapko whose shot sailed over the bar.

Crazia stayed forward and was there to head home Avondale’s fourth off a corner in the 55th minute. 

Five minutes later, Murdocca got himself on the scoresheet, with a lovely shot across Saric and into the net at the far post. 

Although the Bees searched for a late consolation goal, they were wholly outclassed by Avondale. 

Deep in injury time Sanders finished the win off with a curling strike near the edge of the box.

The goal was his third for the game and Avondale’s sixth.

Avondale has now secured consecutive wins for the first time since Round 8 and 9, while Werribee has suffered its ninth loss in a row. 

Avondale FC 6 (Fleming 7', Sanders 9' 39' 90+3', Crazia 55', Murdocca 60') defeated Werribee City 0 at Avondale Heights Reserve [HT: 3-0]

Avondale FC: 1. Christopher MAYNARD, 5. Jeffrey FLEMING, 6. Anthony STRANO (24. Daniel SLOVACEK 55’), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Alex KHRAPKO (4. Jacob COLOSIMO 80’), 11. Francesco STELLA 13. Michele CRAZIA, 28. Anthony FALLONE (15. Dean CAMPELJ 71’), 16. Mathew SANDERS 17. Phillip RICCOBENE, 19. Jason PRINCIPATO

Unused Sub(s): 20. Frazer SIDDAL, 31. Omar AMMACHE 

Yellow Card(s): Khrapko 65’

Red Card(s): none 

Werribee City: 1. Frano SARIC, 4. Simon COLOSMIO, 6. Anthony RAGUSA, 7. Simon ZAPPIA (31. Lirim ELMAZI 80’), 9. Evan BATSIS (24. Djordje ALEKSIC 63’), 11. Bobby VIDANOSKI, 13. Milan SAVIC (18. Peter PAGANIS 80’), 19. Robert NAUMOSKI, 20. Festim ELMAZI, 23. Steve CUDRIG, 30. Anil MUHAREMOVIC 

Unused Sub(s): 12. Michael SIMMS, 25. Jake LEVEA 

Yellow card(s):  Savic 40’

Red card(s): none