Hoppers Crossing stalled momentarily after the starting whistle before soon picking up a head of steam to turn their Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 2 season opener into a one-sided clash.
The Reds went a goal down at Grange Reserve, conceding inside the first 10 minutes.
But that was the wake-up call they needed – they fired in the next seven goals to smash Moreland United 7-1.
The swift turnaround delighted Reds coach Shaun Barbara.
“We came out of the blocks a bit slow to go one-nil down, but then we woke up, kicked into gear and started to play,” he said.
It was the perfect start to the season for Hoppers Crossing.
The Reds collected three points and amassed a handy goal difference of plus-six.
They had five individual goalscorers, including two who netted off the bench.
Barbara was understandably chuffed, but in typical coaching fashion, wasn’t totally satisfied.
“It was fantastic to get off the mark in that kind of way,” Barbara said.
“For me, there’s still a lot of areas we can improve on.”
Barbara has only been with Hoppers Crossing for a short time, but he is an unashamed admirer of the character of the team he has inherited.
There was no panic on the bench when the Reds went a goal down because he knows the stuff his team is made of.
“It’s nothing that I wouldn’t expect from this group, a reaction like that after going down that early,” he said.
“I think it’s in-built in their nature – that when they’re down, they start to fight back.”
Fab Albuquerque opened the scoring for the Reds and would finish the game with a double.
Alister Smart and Liam McDermott, the usual suspects on the scoresheet, found a way to goal.
But it was the late goals from the subs bench – two to Kwaku Dade and one to Ante Kozul – that were the most significant for the Reds, as they underlined their depth.
“It’s always a bonus to have people come off the bench and be able to do a job,” Barbara said.
“It’s certainly a good sign for us … ultimately, that’s what I expect the boys to do.
“They’re there to be ready to come on and do a job.
“Each and every one of them know it’s a hard task to get into the starting line-up and you’ve got to perform to give yourself half a chance. Certainly, the boys have given me a good
headache for the following week.”
Hoppers Crossing will be out to maintain the rage away against Westvale at McKechnie Reserve on Saturday.
“They’ve just come up from state league 3 so it’s going to be a little bit of the unknown,” Barbara said.
“We’re expecting a real tough test away from home.”
