Avondale kicked off their 2019 campaign with a bang, thumping NPL newcomers Dandenong City 4-1 on Friday night.

Two goals from co-captain Liam Boland and one each from Tasuku Sekiya and Stefan Zinni proved to be more than enough to overcome City in their first-ever match in the NPL’s top flight.

New recruit Sekiya was thoroughly impressive in his debut, dazzling with his slick footwork and netting a superb curling free kick to open the scoring, earning the Avengers a 1-0 lead at the break.

After a cagey start, the second half exploded into life during an incredible 17-minute period that saw four goals and a red card.

Boland’s leaping header doubled the away side’s advantage, but a City goal on a deflected shot four minutes later brought the game right back into play.

Things got feisty after a nasty off-the-ball incident, which saw City player shown a deserved red card for what looked like a thrown elbow.

The sending off was the beginning of the end for City, the Avengers soon took a firm grip on the game and quickly made the man advantage count on the scoreboard.

Boland’s second goal after a goalkeeper mistake and Zinni’s powerful strike confirmed Avondale’s domination and put the game to bed.

Avondale play Port Melbourne this Saturday at 3:15pm in our first home game of the season.

Article by Bransen Gibson