MELTON Phoenix’s unbeaten start to the FFV provisional league 3 north-west season continued at the weekend with a 1-1 draw against Meadow Park Eagles at MacPherson Park.
But for the second game in three outings Phoenix coach Danny Gnjidic is coming away thinking the draw might have been a case of two points dropped rather than one gained.
The Eagles struck first on the half-hour but Melton spent barely 10 minutes in arrears , with a Rob Bebenek equaliser just before half time.
All four of Melton’s goals conceded this season have been from set pieces. Meadow Park’s goal at the weekend came from a free kick wide on the flank.
‘‘We’re yet to concede from open play, which is good, but the set pieces are something we need to address,’’ Gnjidic said.
‘‘I thought we were running over the top of them and were the better team. We had half chances, saved shots, two balls cleared off the line.
‘‘Meadow Park had two very good strikers using their experience up front, trying to hit us on the counter.’’
Gnjidic said he was encouraged by the start to the season and, with a bit of luck and composure in front of goal, his players would start turning draws into wins.
‘‘Everyone is contributing,’’ he said.
‘‘The set pieces are an interesting one. It’s about concentration. If it was basketball I’d like to have a time-out just before the opposition takes the kick. We’ve got to make sure we switch on.’’
Melton has this weekend off due to a State Knock-Out Cup round and will return to league action on May 5 away at Brimbank Stallions.
