HOPPERS Crossing had to be content with a rough-around-the-edges 3-1 win over Laverton Park in the Football Federation Victoria men’s Provisional League 2 north-west at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
The Reds, minus star striker Alister Smart, did not bring their usual high standards of play, but did enough to not only secure the three points, but stretch their lead at the top of the table to a
whopping eight points.
Reds coach Joey Vella said he was particularly
disappointed with the lackadaisical defensive work of his players, which saw the home side trail by a goal early in the second half.
“I was not too happy defensively, probably thought we let them have a bit too much space.
“I thought we were very good when we had the ball.”
With just one blemish in 13 games, the Reds are a side high on confidence. Going down a goal early in the second half did not faze the – they responded almost immediately and rattled home three unanswered goals.
“There wasn’t a lot of panic,” Vella said.
“We got a goal back straight away. Within five minutes, we were back even. Once we scored the goal, we dominated the rest of the game.”
In-form Khalil Assad got the Reds back on level terms.
The heart rate went up again minutes later when Laverton Park was awarded a penalty but failed to capitalise.
The Reds got a penalty of their own and playing assistant coach Gus Dos Santos scored to make it 2-1.
The game-sealing goal fittingly came from the boot of Joe Nave, who has stepped into the attacking midfield role in the absence of Tom Orndahl in recent weeks and has been one of the main cogs in the engine room. “He was a tireless performer again,” Vella said.
Captain Julian Zach had a solid game in the back half.
Kevin Smart, who has been restricted by hamstring injuries all year, played the full 90 minutes for the first time this season.
The Reds will need to sharpen up defensively for the visit of Elwood City on Saturday, a team
Vella rates as having the best strike force in the
competition.
Werribee City ran riot to beat Western Suburbs 4-1 in the men’s State League 1 at Arndell Park on Sunday.
The Bees get a chance to continue their climb up the ladder when they host bottom-of-the-ladder Springvale White Eagles on Sunday.
FFV SCORES:
SL1: Werribee City 4 Western Suburbs 1
PL2: Hoppers Crossing 3 Laverton Park 1
