Melton ensured it would have bragging rights over local rival Spring Hills after a narrow win in the state league 4 soccer on Saturday.
After a hard-fought first half in which neither team was able to break the scoring deadlock, it was the Phoenix which made the most of a chance through Jason Moody.
Despite the Stallions pushing hard for the equaliser, they were unable to find the back of the net and Melton secured the three points.
Spring Hills coaching director Tom Markovski said the match came down to a couple of key moments.
“It looked like it was going to be a nil-nil game,” he said.
“There was going to be one chance to win it and unfortunately for us, it went to them who took it.
“We had a few chances to level up which we didn’t take and that was the difference for us. It is one of those unfortunate things, when you’re in the bottom half it is because things haven’t gone your way and when you’re at the top it is because they do.”
The victory is huge for Melton’s top four hopes, with the Phoenix jumping from ninth to sixth on the table.
For Spring Hills, the Stallions slip to 10th in what is their first year in state league 4.
Leading the league is the undefeated Brimbank Stallions.
Markovski said he didn’t think the squad was too far away from being able to add to its wins tally.
“I believe we need to add a couple of players to our squad,” he said.
“We are just a couple of players short in my opinion. It is probably a midfielder and an attacker, that is what I think we need and what we are looking at for the moment.”
Melton will have the perfect chance to make it back-to-back wins this week when it takes on the lowly ranked Sebastopol Vikings.
Meanwhile Spring Hills will face fifth-placed Newmarket.
“They play on a ground that is really tight and small so they are skilful,” Markovski said.
“I think they will be a different kettle of fish to some of the teams we have been playing. It will be a tough game for us.
“We need to work on some crosses during the week and putting our strikers in a position where they can score.”
It was better news for the Spring Hills women’s team which enjoyed an 8-0 win over Melton on Sunday.
Sheniz Ahmet and Elise Femi both scored twice for the winners.
