By Lance Jenkinson
Hoppers Crossing took its first tentative steps in the Football Federation Victoria women’s state league 1 soccer on Sunday.
The Reds were promoted to the top tier after swooping on the second-division title last season, losing just one game in the process.
The Reds faced a tough opening to the season – travelling to play Melbourne Knights.
The Reds were able to return home with a valuable point after sharing the spoils in a 0-0 draw at Knights Stadium.
Hoppers Crossing will play its home opener on Sunday against Melbourne University at Grange Reserve.
There were goals to be found in the women’s state league 4 with West Point mauling Maribyrnong Swifts 5-1. Yasmine Mohamed was on target for West Point with two goals, while Jodi Hayward, Hajara Diyab and Hawa Dahir got in on the scoring act.
In the men’s state leagues, Point Cook has found the going tough in the opening three rounds. The Jets have just one point in the bank in state league 3 and have sunk to second last.
They were comprehensively out-played 3-0 by Williamstown away on Saturday.
Point Cook will be searching for its goal scoring touch when it visits Craigieburn City on Saturday.
In state league 4, Truganina Hornets needed only a single goal to bring down Laverton.
PHOTO GALLERY: Melbourne Knights vs Hoppers Crossing
The Hornets have seven points from three games and are third on the ladder. They will face a struggling Melbourne City at Arndell Park Reserve on Saturday.
In state league 5, West Point was beaten 2-1 by top-of-the-ladder Barnstoneworth United. West Point has a win, a draw and a loss after three rounds.
Wyndham United remains bottom after a 4-0 thrashing from Maribyrnong Greens.
In NPL 2 west, Werribee City was on the losing side of the equation for the first time this season.
The Bees were proven mere mortals in a 3-1 defeat to Moreland Zebras at CB Smith Reserve on Friday night.
Liam Brian gave the Bees the lead after seven minutes, but the Zebras banged in three unanswered goals to secure the win.
The Bees are still top of the ladder on goal difference.
They will host second-placed St Albans Saints in a mouth-watering encounter at Galvin Park on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, local A-League expansion side Western United has been linked with a possible swoop for Western Sydney Wanderers attacking midfielder Alexander Baumjohann on a multi-year deal.
At his career peak, Baumjohann played in the German Bundesliga with powerhouse clubs Schalke 04, Bayern Munich, Kaiserslautern and Hertha BSC.
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