By Tara Murray
Spring Hills has shown early days that it’s right at home in the National Premier League women’s competition.
Facing some early tests in its first season in the top flight, Spring Hills sits middle of the table a third of the way through the season.
Coach Tom Markovski said it had been a positive start for their women’s side, along with their junior girls who are also playing in the NPL for the first time.
“The juniors are doing really good in our first season,” he said. “One our of teams is second, one is third and one is sixth out of 16 teams, that is fantastic.
“Our seniors are mid table. It’s been a great experience for their first time. There was a massive crowd in the first game and the last couple of weeks we’ve had draws against the top teams on the ladder.”
Markovski said they started off the season with a tough draw with matches against Preston Lions, who were runners up last season, Bulleen who were minor premiers and Essendon Royals.
He said those results showed that they belong at this level.
“It goes down to who has a full squad on the day and being ready to go,” he said.
“We’re aiming to get better as we go along. The next six games will show whether we are fighting for a top four spot and a bottom six spot.
“It is that close in the league. You get two wins in a row, you’re sitting in fourth. It goes for everyone, it is that close.”
On Friday night, Spring Hills had a 1-1 draw with Heidelberg United which is second on the ladder
The previous week Spring Hills had a draw with ladder leaders South Melbourne.
Spring Hills is also still alive in the knockout NIke F.C Cup. It faces the FV Academy in round five on May 27.
Meanwhile, it’s been a strong start for Spring Hills men’s side in the FV state league 5 west season.
The side lost its second game of the season on Saturday, losing 5-1 in a top of the table clash with Newport Storm.
Markovski, who is also the club’s technical director, said it was exciting to see that side up in contention after a tough few years.
“They’re going really well,” he said. “It was 1-1 at half time on Friday before a couple of injuries hit.
“The way we have set up to play is for juniors coming through to get opportunities.
“Our 18s won the league last year and many have moved up to the 21s and half the squad is playing in the seniors and reserves.
“They are still young and with another year they will be cherry ripe.”
