Laverton Park has tripped up at the first hurdle in the 2014 Dockerty Cup.
The Reds’ inexperience and a lack of match practice showed in a 3-2 loss to Point Cook away at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday.
Reds playing assistant coach Vince De La Plaza said it was the club’s first competitive match of the season.
“We weren’t really that upset about the loss because it was the first full hit-out for the club,” he said.
“A lot of players were getting tired towards the end and cramping up, so we’re not really match fit yet.
“It was a Cup game, but it was good to get 90 minutes into the players.
“It was an honest, clean, hard game, which is a good way to start the season.”
Yanco Castro was on from the word go. The midfielder propped up to score both of the Reds’ goals only to see Point Cook’s Socceroo Joe Spiteri score a winner.
“It was a good start for him,” De La Plaza said of Castro.
“One goal was from a free kick and the other was from a nice shot outside the box. He had a good game in the midfield.”
With a number of youngsters on show, it was Simon Cardenas who showed the most promise.
Cardenas, who played a handful of reserves and senior games while still eligible for under 15s last year, patrolled the front line with enthusiasm.
“They’ve thrown him into the deep end to start off and he didn’t do too badly,” De La Plaza said.
“He’s pretty quick and sharp. He made a couple of good runs and had a couple of shots.
“He’s still lacking in a bit of experience and it’s a bit harder when you go from under-15s last year to playing against seniors, but he’ll get better.”
Altona North also came a cropper in the first round of the Cup, losing 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with East Bentleigh at Duane Reserve.
On a slow pitch not suited for passing football, North took
time to settle, but had the lead after a slick move midway through the first half was finished off by Daniel Vetrone.
East Bentleigh responded five minutes later and that would cap the scoring until the penalty shoot-out, where the first nine shots were scored before North missed the 10th and final one.
LJ
