Altona Magic continued its good form by outlasting Nunawading City to seal an important NPL 2 soccer victory at the weekend.
Taking on the 10th-placed team from the eastern conference, the Magic was made to fight hard for every opportunity and withstand some good attacking efforts from the visitors before walking away with a 1-0 win.
The sides traded blows in the early stages, with the plucky City taking it up to its more fancied opponent.
It was Altona that broke the deadlock when Robert Stambolziev buried a shot from his right boot into the bottom corner of the net in the 27th minute.
That would prove to be the match winner, despite both sides having some good attacking opportunities as the game progressed.
Altona remains on top of the western conference, four points ahead of Moreland as the competition for top spots on the ladder heats up.
In state league 2 north-west, Altona East was in early trouble in its clash with Westgate, but turned the game around after half-time to claim a good win.
Westgate grabbed the lead over the Phoenix in the opening minute of the game when Djordje Aleksic broke free, and held on to that lead until the second half when the game began to turn.
The Phoenix scored twice after the break to grab a 2-1 win over the fifth-placed side, with Altona East remaining in ninth position.
Elsewhere, Altona City drew 1-1 with North Sunshine Eagles in state league 1 north-west after Marcus Sherif’s first-half opener was cancelled out after the break.
For much of the game it looked like City could claim an upset win over the second-placed Eagles, but an equaliser from Deang Aguek on the hour mark saw the home side secure a point from the tussle.
Altona City remains in ninth place, just two points outside the relegation zone.
