Spring Hills is beginning to enjoy its surroundings in state league 4 west soccer.
On the back of a championship victory in state league 5 west last year, the Stallions were promoted in the off-season and aleady have met with stiff competition.
Spring Hills conceded 12 goals in its opening two games and it was starting to look as though the jump in class might be too great.
But the Stallions rebounded, showing their trademark fight and determination to secure their first-ever state league 4 win, by 2-1 against Balmoral last month.
Coaching director Tom Markovski said it was a great thrill for everyone at the club.
“We started off poorly in the first two games,” he said.
“Especially the second one [against Bell Park] … we were up 2-1, then it was just a bit of inexperience from the boys.
“Then we got our win. We were probably unlucky not to get another couple of goals, but it was a great day for us.”
That fourth-round win was follow by a 3-2 victory against Truganina Hornets.
Spring Hills will take on Newmarket Phoenix this week before one of its biggest matches of the season when, for the first time, the Stallions will host local rival Melton.
Markovski said the biggest lesson his players needed to learn was that there would be no let-up of pressure.
“I think there’s probably a group of five or six teams that are going for the league and then five or six that will fight it out for the opposite end,” he said.
“The opposition is definitely better and we need to get used to that.
“I don’t think there are any teams in this league where you can think you’re definitely going to get three points … it just depends on the day.”
The Spring Hills women’s team has also enjoyed a positive start to the season.
Having formed during the off-season, the state league 4 outfit won its opening match 10-1. After three rounds, it’s in second spot, having conceded just one goal for the year.
