Hoppers Crossing coach Alan Vella says his side has exceeded expectations this FV State League 2 north-west season although admits there’s more to prove when his side faces the competition’s best in the coming weeks.
The Reds sit second after seven rounds, having won five matches so far. On Saturday, they defeated Geelong Rangers, 4-1.
Julian Szabo opened the scoring in the 31st minute, before three second half goals sealed the win for the Reds.
Vella said that they were likely to have to reassess their goals for the season after a better than expected start.
“It’s funny that, because at the start of the season we were talking about wanting to rebuild, bring young kids through and then sort of build on that with the experience we’ve got,” Vella said.
“Our aim at the start of the year was to be mid-table and consolidate for the year and give these young boys a go and see where we go from there.
“But then looking at it now, sitting second the moment, we will probably re-adjust more and see where we are after that halfway mark considering we’ve got the top three teams still to play.”
While the Reds have started well, Vella is under no illusion that there’s still a lot of work to do. They still have to play a number of the top sides including Albion, Mill Park and ladder leaders Upfield.
Currently they sit one point behind Upfield.
“That’s where the big test will be to see how we compete against those three teams who were mentioned with Westgate to be favourites to go up,” he said.
“That will probably determine what we look to do and see where we’re at when we compare to those teams that were favourites at the start of the year to get promoted.
“So we’re just trying to keep a level head on it at the moment and keep the young boy grounded, they get a bit excited when they see themselves sitting second.”
Allan said an early season loss to Westgate, had given the team an idea of what level they had to be at to match it with the best.
In that game the Reds lost 3-2, with five red cards given to Westgate, including to both their coaches in a lively contest between the two teams.
“Watching Westgate play, their older boys and how experienced they are, it’s how they controlled the game, I think that was a massive learning curve especially to our midfielders at the moment who are just firing at the moment and starting to control games.”
The Reds this week face Hume United.
In other results. Point Cook had a 3-1 loss to Altona North in state league 3 north-west.
In state league 4 west, Truganina Hornets had a 1-1 draw with Spring Hills, while in state league 5 west, West Point had a 0-0 draw with Melton Phoenix and Wyndham lost to Balmoral 8-0.
Max Hatzoglou
