Tara Murray
It’s been an eventful start to the FV state league 4 west season for Melton Phoenix, which finally got a win on the board on Saturday.
The Phoenix had a draw in round one, before their round two match was called off at half time due to the lights going out.
The match against Moonee Ponds will be replayed at a later date.
On Saturday, the Phoenix put out a performance it knew was coming, beating Melbourne City 7-1.
Phoenix coach Darren Traynor said it was nice to finally be able to get a win.
“It was good, it was a positive result,” he said. “It was our first game away from home and the boys performed really well despite having a couple out as well.
“That performance was coming but we didn’t expect that many goals.
“They got one goal through a penalty, but it was a dominant performance throughout.”
Alex Dimond scored twice for Phoenix with the rest all single goal scorers.
Among them was 17-year-old Lucas Gilmour.
“He played the last 25 minutes,” Traynor said. “We got a penalty and the others asked if he could he take it and he scored it.”
The win is the Phoenix’s first back in state league 4 west after being promoted in the off season.
Traynor said the result would just build confidence within the group.
“The first week it was 1-1 and we hit the crossbar on a penalty,” he said. “The second week we were the better team before the lights went out.
“To get the win gives belief that what we are doing is the right thing and we need to continue to stick to the process.”
Phoenix is back at home this week, facing Bell Park on Saturday afternoon.
Traynor said it was a bit unknown as they’ve never played them before.
“We’ll continue to build and get the work done on the training track and go from there.”
In other state league 4 west matches, Westside Strikers had a 1-0 loss to Surf Coast on Friday night.
Surf Coast scored in the second half to get the win.
The Strikers are without a win after three rounds.
In state league 5 west, Spring Hills suffered a 1-0 loss to Gisborne. The Sky Blues were able to convert in the second half to get their first win of the season.
Spring Hills now has one win and two losses from its first three matches.
