By Tara Murray
Westside Strikers are keen to build some momentum in the FV state league 4 west season.
Having started to find some form, the Strikers inflicted Balmoral’s first loss of the season, while also boosting their hopes as they target finishing in the top part of the competition.
They backed it up on Saturday with another good win.
Strikers coach Simon Vasconcelo said the biggest thing out of that win would be the self belief for the group.
“We have a lot to play for this season,” he said. “Balmoral is a really good team and we played really well.
“We have expected more of ourselves and it is about turning up each week and grinding out results.
“We have been competitive and we want to keep pushing. We’ve played a lot of the sides at the top half of the table and that’s where we look at ourselves and we need to keep doing what we need in terms of turning up.”
Vasconcelo said they were 100 per cent confident in the squad they had together, for them it was a matter of getting the strongest team on the park.
The Strikers are yet to field their strongest side yet, with Vasconcelo said they would hopefully have it up and running in the coming weeks.
Having played every team once, the Strikers have a good indication of where they sit on the ladder.
Vasconcelo said they were keen for a strong second half of the season.
“Every team wanted to finish the season off strongly,” he said. “That’s definitely the aim and we want to get everyone fitting it and more to come back this week.”
The Strikers this week face Barwon, with Vasconcelo saying the opposition were looking stronger than they did earlier in the season.
He said there were no easy matches and they had to focus on themselves and work hard.
The Strikers made it three wins in a row as they beat Barwon, 2-0.
The Strikers scored in the fifth minute through Marck Saric before doubling the lead in the 28th minute through Matthew Lodkowski.
With the win, the Strikers are up to third on the ladder.
Hot o the heels of the Strikers is Melton Phoenix, which is only goal difference behind.
On Saturday, the Phoenix beat Point Cook, 4-2 having led 2-0 at half time.
In state league 5 west, Spring Hills beat Tarneit United, 5-2.
