Tara Murray
Melton Phoenix is set for a big couple of weeks in the FV state league 4 west season.
Having had a strong season with just one loss so far, the Phoenix face ladder leaders Surf Coast on Saturday before facing Moonee Ponds United in a catch up match the following week.
Coach Darren Traynor said speaking before the weekend’s match with the Truganina Hornets they had been pretty happy with how it was all tracking.
“It’s going really well the first couple of months,” he said.
“We lost our first game against Keilor Wolves. We scored to take the score to 2-2 and had all the momentum, but the goal was overruled.
“It changed momentum… They scored a couple of goals late. They’re not a 4-1 better side than us and I don’t think the scoreline reflected our game.”
The Wolves sit in second spot, now five points ahead of the Phoenix, but having played one extra game.
Traynor said it was a really strong competition this season.
“The Surf Coast look like they are strong and way out in front,” he said. ‘There’s a lot of decent teams.
“We feel we’re in that next bracket with the Wolves, Moonee Ponds. Melbourne City is coming along strongly and Westside Strikers are another.”
The Phoenix on Saturday faced the Hornets, who have struggled this season.
Traynor said before the match that they couldn’t take any side easily or they risk defeat.
The Phoenix got back on the winners list with a 3-0 win.
The Phoenix had led 1-0 at half time.
Kieren Farrugia, Bo Williamson and Matthew Farrugia were the goal scorers for the Phoenix.
The Phoenix will get a true indication of where it sits the next few weeks.
It faces top side, the Surf Coast, before facing Moonee Ponds United twice in a three week period.
The first of those matches is a catch up game after the lights went out in their first clash. The score was 0-0 at the time.
Traynor said they were looking forward to the challenge.
In other matches, Westside Strikers had a tough night out against Keilor Wolves on Friday night.
The Wolves jumped out of the blocks to lead 3-0 at half time.
With the game over, both teams added to the scoreboard in the second half, with the Wolves winning 4-1.
David Torres Suarez was the goal scorer for the Strikers.
The Strikers sit in sixth spot with a 4-2-4 record.
In state league 5 west, Spring Hills suffered a 3-0 loss to Lara United on Saturday night.
All three goals came in the second half despite Lara going a man down after a red card.
Spring Hills sits in eighth spot with three wins and four losses.
All state league men’s competitions will be in action this weekend despite the King’s Birthday holiday.
