A selection of players from the Border club’s under 13 and 14 age groups travelled to Melbourne to attend the match played at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy.

Played under lights on the FIFA-standard synthetic pitch, the coaches and players from Murray had the opportunity to mix it with the A-League club filled with talented prospects from across Victoria.

“As an NPL club, Murray United has the capacity to bring opportunities to interact with A-League clubs and bring the elite level to local coaches and players,” Murray Technical Director Nick Mammone said.

“The introduction of A-League clubs having junior academies will soon see us participate more regularly against these clubs in NPL competition, which will increase the opportunities for players to be identified by A League clubs.

“It was a great experience for the players to see what an elite sporting facility looks like and where a number of elite sporting talents like those at Melbourne Victory are being developed.”

Mammone added the future stars of Victory and the local aspirants put on a great display, with the match providing the players an insight into what it takes to step up from NPL into an A-League club academy. 

“The players really benefited from being exposed to the level of players from Melbourne Victory, it was a step up again from NPL competition and a challenge that all the players who participated handled well,” he said.