By Lance Jenkinson
Point Cook snapped out of its slumber to deliver an exhilarating 4-0 win over Maribyrnong Greens in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 west at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday.
The Jets grabbed four goals in 32 second-half minutes to leave the Greens green with envy.
Jets coach Craig Filer described the contrast with Jets’ 6-0 capitulation to Truganina the previous week as vast.
“It’s like chalk and cheese – I’m a bit happier today,” he said.
In fairness to Point Cook, the six-goal loss in the derby a week earlier came with a number of its top-liners missing through injury.
Against the Greens, the Jets had a number of those players in selection contention and they bolstered their squad during the week with two recruits.
Right back Dustin Guilloux-Cooke, who has played at higher levels with Altona City and Werribee City, and centre-half Dion Portelli, once on the books of Sunshine George Cross in the Victorian Premier League, made a good first impression.
Portelli capped his debut with the go-ahead goal.
“We planned to get young, experienced and good-quality footballers in,” Filer said.
“We’ve certainly got two new ones who will help us. The two new signings increase the desire for everyone to work hard and keep developing.”
While the bulk of the Point Cook side is raw with plenty of room to grow, it still has experienced campaigner Joe Spiteri to pilot the team.
Spiteri lives to score goals, and he bagged a double in the big win.
The former Socceroo scored the Jets’ second in the 57th minute and completed the rout in the 84th, while a Greens own goal was registered in between.
There were certainly no such issues at the other end with Jets goalkeeper Dylan Tiatto keeping a clean sheet.
Meanwhile, Truganina Hornets came back down to earth with a thud, losing 2-1 to Sebastopol Vikings at Arndell Park on Saturday night.
Marco Andreasi has scored a goal a game in his first two for the Hornets.
In state league 3, Hoppers Crossing lost a five-goal thriller 3-2 on home soil to Whittlesea United at Grange Reserve.
Patrick McGarrigle continued his blistering start to the season for the Reds with a double to make it three goals in two games.
In the NPL, Werribee City was competitive against ladder-leaders Melbourne Knights at Galvin Park on Sunday but fell short in a 2-1 defeat.
The Bees’ horror run of tough games continues with second-placed Hume City making the trek to Shaws Road on Easter Monday.
