By Tara Murray
Melton has made massive inroads in the Hockey Victoria Vic League 2 women’s competition despite their position on the ladder.
The Mustangs sit bottom without a win, but the young team continues to improve week in, week out.
Mustangs chairman Royce Schwarze said the group had come a long way.
“We are competitive in a lot of games,” he said. “A bit more fitness and having a young side has been the difference.
“In some games we’re leading at half-time, but we just can’t finish off games.”
On Saturday, the Mustangs lost a close one to Caroline Springs 2-1.
Kiara Ive was the goal scorer for Melton, with Lana Downes the side’s best player.
Schwarze said while it might be short-term pain on the field now, it was bright for the future.
He said a few of their older players were playing in their second side to help with the development of the younger players.
“The future is looking good,” Schwarze
said.
“In two to three years time the 18 to 21-year-olds will be in their prime and the younger one will have more experience.
“We have a couple of 13 year-olds in the Vic League side.
“We just have to keep them all together.”
Schwarze said they were seeing the development of the younger players already.
He named Grace Downes, who recently played in the Junior Victorian Championships, as a big improver.
Schwarze said they were hoping to get a win before the season was out.
He said opposition sides had been impressed with how they were playing.
“I think we will get a win this year,” he said. “We’ve just got to put it all together.”
“We play Gippsland which is a an opportunity, They are a similar side to us.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Caroline Springs vs Melton
Off field, Schwarze said the club was continuing to boost its players.
He said a growth in numbers would mean an extra under-10s side this term.
“The future is there.”
In other results, the Mustangs’ women’s metro side lost to Hume, 4-0. Karen Eller was the Mustangs best in the loss.
The men’s Vic League 3 side had a 3-1 loss to Collegians X, 3-1.
Chu Che Hu was the goal scorer for Melton, which is fifth and one point outside the top four.
It was a better day for the Mustangs against Collegians X in pennant G, with the Mustangs winning 6-5. Callan Armitage scored a hat-trick, while Chu Che Hu scored twice and Stephen Lawrence scored the other goal.
In the men’s metro side, Gabe Cumming was the Mustangs best in a 9-0 loss to Craigieburn Falcons.
