Melton’s FFA Cup soccer campaign came to an end on Saturday night, with Phoenix bundled out of the national competition by NPL Melbourne Knights.
But despite the 4-1 scoreline, Phoenix was far from outclassed on the big stage, showing no signs of nerves against an opponent that plays five leagues higher.
Picture gallery: Melton Phoenix v Melbourne Knights
Melton went into the half-time break just 1-0 down and was going toe to toe with its more highly fancied opponent.
Phoenix coach Peter Schwellinger said there were plenty of positives from the match.
“I was very happy with the performance and I think we achieved a lot,” he said.
“I think the Knights were probably a little bit surprised. They had only one or two players missing from their squad.
“We were playing a team five leagues higher which won the Dockerty Cup last year. We competed very well. It was 1-0 at half-time and it was only a couple of errors that cost us.”
Defensive lapses by Phoenix in the second half allowed the Knights to get further on top as the lead ballooned to 4-0.
But Melton refused to give in and finally scored in the closing stages.
Schwellinger, who took over as Phoenix head coach only late last year, said he was rapt by how the players had embraced his style of play.
“I’ve had a few different ideas and put players in a few different positions,” he said.
“I’m surprised how well they’ve responded. I think we’re ahead of schedule.
“We have everyone on board and they’re showing great discipline, absorbing everything really well.”
The loss ends Melton’s successful FFA Cup campaign in which the club beat Watsonia Heights, Dandenong South and Keilor Wolves on its way to the fourth round.
Melton will now look to carry the momentum into its opening state league 4 match this weekend when it hosts Altona North.
“I hope the boys don’t relax on their performances from the past two or three weeks. They need to carry on with what they’ve been doing and bring these performances to round one,” Schwellinger said.
“Complacency can creep in once you’ve been performing for a few weeks, but I think they’re all smart enough and switched on enough to know what to do.”
In other FFA Cup results, state league 1 club North Sunshine caused an upset, defeating NPL side Sunshine George Cross on penalties in a remarkable match.
The score was 4-4 after 90 minutes and 6-6 after extra time before North Sunshine won the shoot-out 10-8.
