Footscray overcame having five players missing to beat Altona in the opening round of Women’s Premier League on Saturday.
New coach Lachie Anderson said he was happy to come away with the 2-1 win over a local rival he described as “tough opposition” at its home ground.
“You can train and train, but you don’t know where you’re at until you get to play for points,” he said. “It’s a great start to the season and we’ll take the three points. We had five players out for the week in Victoria under-18 teams, including four of the starting 11.”
Anderson said it was an even game throughout. “They capitalised early with a goal and we got one back on half-time.
“We were pretty confident we could keep them out and we managed to get a second goal.”
Leah Merrett and Nicola Hancock were the scorers, with Hancock and Steph Thompson, in her first game in premier division, among the best.
Missy Johnson was the goal scorer for Altona.
In the men’s Premier League clash between the two sides, Altona got the win 1-0 in a tight match. Pat Phillips was the scorer.
This week, both Footscray teams take on Waverley at home, while Altona travels to Hawthorn.
