Tara Murray
Melton Phoenix has unfinished business in FV state league 5 west.
After missing out on the championship and promotion last season by goal difference, the Phoenix are keen to ensure they get that top spot this year.
Coach Darren Traynor said they were ready for another big year of action.
“We’ve got a few new players coming in,” he said. “We’ve got a young squad with at least four new players in the starting 11 at this stage.
“We’ve still got players trialling. I’ve aimed to bring in players as I don’t want to sit idle. Hopefully we can create the sort of season we had last year and see what happens.”
Traynor said it had been encouraging to see players wanting to come and join the club. He said the distance to the rest of Melbourne at times made it hard to attract players.
“I’ve got a new assistant coach to help me out,” he said. “He’s brought a couple of his boys across with him.
“We’ve also got some guys who are friends of guys in the team. We’ve got new club rooms and the club is heading in the right direction.
“We have ambitions to build something in the next two to three years.”
Traynor doesn’t shy away from the fact that promotion and the championship is the aim this season.
After going to close last season, they have a good idea what it takes.
“There’s still a bit of hunger there,” he said. “There’s unfinished business and we’re looking to go one better.
“Every team will have improved though. The aim is promotion.”
The Phoenix were in action on Saturday in the first round of the Australia Cup.
It was a good start for the side which beat the Mitchell Rangers, 8-0.
The Phoenix led 4-0 at the half, before doubling the lead in the second half.
Matthew Farrugia scored three goals despite playing just a half.
Traynor said before the match they were looking forward to the cup and seeing what they could do,
“It’s good to get an official game under our belt,” he said.
“Their ground wasn’t ready, so we got to host it. It was another chance to look at the triallists and get some conditioning and match practice.
“We’re hoping to go as far as we can. Last year we had a decent run and it provided a platform for the season.
“Hopefully we can do that again and be ready for round one.”
Spring Hills is also through to the next round after being Old Trinity Grammarians.
A goal to Ryota Yoshinouchi in the 38th minute gave the Stallions the lead.
It would be the only goal of the game with the Stallions winning 1-0 despite playing the last half hour a man down.
Westside Strikers had a bye in the opening round.
Round two is this weekend.
