Point Cook showed steely resolve to overcome one of the most unique and sternest examinations it will face in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 this season.
The Jets, a largely young and developing group of players, got the spoils 2-1 over Melbourne City at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday, but only after a 90-minute battle with 11 opponents and a boisterous 12th man.
“They’re a different type of opposition, a very physical, demanding and experienced side,” Jets’ coach Craig Filer told Star Weekly.
“For the young guns we have, it was a good, battling performance against a strong side.”
Point Cook moved to within a point of league leaders Maribyrnong Greens. More importantly, they cleared away the stench from seven days earlier when they were humiliated 4-1 on home turf by the Brimbank Stallions.
“It was a massive game for us after the disappointment of the week before when we just didn’t turn up,” Filer said.
“It’s one of those games that, if we win, we’re there up the top but, if we don’t, we drop down to fifth or sixth.”
Point Cook did a remarkable job quietening the City strikeforce, which has scored goals at will this season. City has averaged 2.4 goals per game, but their only one this time came through a Jets’ error midway through the second half; otherwise, the Jets had control of the game.
“It was disappointing that we conceded the goal, but the defence is strong, it’s organised and we’re getting into good positions now,” Filer said.
“While we’ve conceded 16 goals, if we put that into perspective of where we are after 10 games, six of them were against Truganina and four against Brimbank, so we’ve only conceded six goals in the other eight games we’ve played.”
Veteran Joe Spiteri had a hand in both Point Cook goals. He put the Jets in front at half-time with a crisp header off a beautiful cross from Gareth Jones.
The winner came in the dying minutes of the second half, after Spiteri powered a long range shot into the City keeper, who parried the ball to the feet of Chris Sutera, who then tucked it home from point-blank range.
The second-placed Jets will have another six-point game against title-contending Sebastopol on the road at St Georges Reserve on Saturday.
Filer says his team is in a good mind frame ahead of the crucial game.
“We go to Sebastopol now knowing we can compete,” he said.
“The camaraderie and togetherness of the group is outstanding. The kids want to get better and want to be coached, and that makes the job easier for me.
In NPL, Werribee City’s three-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Heidelberg United at Olympic Village on Sunday. The Bees head into the Queen’s birthday break in third-last, one point above the relegation zone.
In state league 3, Hoppers Crossing glistened under lights with a 2-0 win over Williamstown at JT Gray Reserve on Friday. Ahmed Badawy and Liam McDermott fired for the Reds.
In state league 4, Truganina Hornets staved off a challenge to beat Altona North 2-1 at Duane Reserve on Saturday.
