By Tara Murray
Westside Strikers are hoping for a better season than last year in the FV state league 4 west competition.
After coming down from state league 3 north-west, the Strikers took a while to find their feet.
The Strikers ended up finishing the season in sixth spot with a 10-2-10 record.
Strikers coach Simon Vasconcelo said things had been really positive in the pre-season.
“It’s never easy coming down a division and it was good to find our feet again,” he said.
“We finished mid-table and we’re definitely looking to have a better season this year.”
Vasconcelo said they were happy with the squad that they had put together and felt that they had recruited well.
He said they had turned over about half the squad.
“Everyone is feeling really optimistic this year,” he said. “We’ve been able to keep the core group and had some fresh faces to fill in the gaps.”
Vasconcelo said like all coaches he was hoping to be competitive and in contention for the title.
He said if they can be better than last season that would go a long way.
The Strikers haD their first competitive hitout on Saturday in the second round of the Australia Cup against Mitchell Rangers.
The Strikers had a bye in the opening round.
It was a dominant performance by the Strikers, who won 5-0.
Matthew Lodkowski scored twice, while Hernan Epsindola, Musa Kamara and Jeinner Escobar also scored.
Vasconcelo said before the match that they were looking forward to the cup.
“We’re looking forward to our first competitive game,” he said. ”We’ve had a few friendlies but nothing can replicate that competitive nature.
“Hopefully we can get the ball rolling and we would love to have a cup run. The boys get excited about that.
“We would love to be drawn against a higher league team and see where it takes us.”
Vasconcelo said the overall the club continues to grow with more juniors on board than ever.
