DEBATE is raging over Melvin Becket’s decisive goal in Altona Magic’s 1-0 win against Moreland Zebras in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 at Reddish Reserve on Saturday.
Was it a lucky cross or a pearler of a shot?
What is indisputable is the importance of the goal as it keeps the Magic in the promotion race, still five spots back but only five points in arrears.
Magic football operations manager Rubin Todorovski is confident Becket’s goal was by design, having seen the striker produce similar top-corner efforts on the training ground.
“Everyone who knows Melvin knows he can make something out of nothing,” he said. “A couple of boys asked him after the game if he meant to cross and he said he was going for a shot.”
The Magic is on a seven-game unbeaten run. It had to contend with rain, wind and a Zebras side with similar promotion ambitions.
“The conditions weren’t the best, it was very windy and the last 15 minutes the rain started to teem down, but our objective is always to play football and we’re a team that tries to keep the ball on the deck so it didn’t affect us,” Todorovski said. “It was a good win.”
Pece Siveski was the cornerstone of the win. The veteran central midfielder dictated the terms on and off the ball.
“He’s like a coach on the field, directing play and directing players,” Todorovski said.
“It’s a big bonus when you’ve got young boys in the team.”
Siveski has found an ally in teenager John Stojcevski.
The 19-year-old has impressed in the heart of the midfield over the past month after spending time at left back earlier in the campaign.
“He’s very composed on the ball,” Todorovski said.
The Magic will host Box Hill United at the Paisley Park Soccer Complex on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Altona East Phoenix has some breathing space in the state league 2 relegation zone.
The Phoenix moved eight points clear of the bottom two with an impressive 4-1 win over Whittlesea Ranges at Paisley Park on Saturday.
Terry Antoniadis’ team will undoubtedly face a tougher test on the road at the Preston Lions on Saturday.
Altona City suffered a 3-1 defeat to Westvale under lights at Kim Reserve in state league 3 north-west on Friday night.
City faces an uphill task to retain its position in the league, some seven points away from survival with seven games to go.
Yarraville Glory had a disappointing nil-all draw with bottom-of-the-ladder Hume United.
Williamstown hit western rivals Maribyrnong Greens for six in a 6-0 whitewash in the state league 4 west.
Spotswood-based Melbourne City overcame neighbours Altona North 2-0 in a state league 5 west derby at Edwards Reserve.
