Hume City hopes the experience of playing against Melbourne’s A-League sides will help develop the team, on and off the pitch.
City played Melbourne Victory on July 29 and will take on Melbourne City next Tuesday as it prepares for the A-League season.
Hume City spokesman Ezel Hikmet said about 2500 people were at Broadmeadows Valley Park for the clash with Victory.
“It was a great experience for our players to mix with the likes of Archie Thompson, Kevin Muscat and Mark Milligan on and off the field,’’ he said.
City was far from overawed by the A-League side.
“We went up 1-0 in the first half and then put a lot of our under-20s on the field, so they got to experience the feeling of playing against these players,’’ Hikmet said.
“We lost 4-1, but we held our own for 60 minutes of the game.
“The players walked off the field better for the experience.”
Hikmet said Hume City would again start its best line-up against Melbourne City.
“We want to give as many of our kids as possible a go against these sides. If we can help one of our young players show skill against them, and help them get to a higher level, then that’s a bonus.”
Hikmet said Hume City hoped to continue playing games against A-League sides to boost the profile of the club.
“We have new facilities that meet the requirements of the A-League teams.
“Eventually there will be a promotion-relegation system for the A-League, and we want to have a big enough following by that time to be able to be competitive enough to make the jump.’’
City cemented its spot in the National Premier League top five on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Green Gully at Green Gully Reserve.
A first-half penalty to Richie Cardozo was the only score of the game in the 16th minute.
Whittlesea Ranges lost to St Albans 3-0 in NPL1 on Sunday.
