CHART-topping Hoppers Crossing defended resolutely and got the late goal it needed to sink Northern Roosters 1-0 in the Football Federation Victoria men’s provisional league 2 north-west at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
A debut goal to Steve Smart five minutes from time gave the Reds all three points and moved them top on goal difference from Epping City after five games.
Reds coach Joey Vella said he was thrilled with the result but not so pleased with the cosmetics in achieving it.
“Attacking-wise, we were scrappy. We didn’t put enough care on our passing. It probably wasn’t a great performance.”
It was not like the Reds were too flustered in defence either. Their backline was rarely breached during the 90 minutes. When it was, goalkeeper Shaun Page came to the rescue.
“Defensively, I can’t complain, I thought we were excellent,” Vella said. “They didn’t really threaten us too much apart from a couple of good long-range efforts that Pagey did quite well to save.”
It was better late than never for the Reds when Smart capped his first game with a nifty goal.
Zia Sherzai crossed the ball from the wing and it drifted across the face of goal to the far post, where Smart was waiting and tapped it past the Roosters goalkeeper.
The goal was one of Sherzai’s creations. So often the starting link in the chain, not even a quiet game could stop the flying winger from having a game-clinching say.
“He’s a constant threat with his running and his speed,” Vella said, “and if a defender falls
asleep for a minute he can cause a bit of damage.”
The Reds hit the road against the Western Eagles on Saturday.
FFV SCORES:
State league 1: Werribee City 1 Dandenong City 2. Provisional league 2: Hoppers Crossing 1 Northern Roosters 0. Metropolitan League: Truganina 4 Greenvale United 4.
