Altona North returned to winning ways with a battling 2-1 victory over Lara in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 5 at Duane Reserve on Saturday.
A fired up North was looking to make amends for dropping two points the previous week and started with a purpose, exerting early pressure on the Lara defence.
In an entertaining game, the home side dominated possession, showed some fluid interplay, but Lara also threatened on the counter-attack with their pacy forward line.
It took a stroke of luck for North to take the lead, as the Lara keeper slipped coming to deal with a deep cross from the right, allowing Josh Davies time to slot into an empty net.
The second half was a more open affair, with both sides frantically seeking a goal to gain momentum. North went close through Adam Whatmore, Josh Bondin and Daniel Vetrone, but it was Lara who equalized midway through the half with a near post header from a corner and looked like they might go on and seize the initiative.
A wonderful goal from Jerombeam Damons, following a sharp one-two with Vetrone, saw him curl the ball over the keeper into the top corner with the outside of his boot to give North the lead again. Both sides had further chances, but North ran out 2-1 winners, an important result as the season reaches the business end.
“It was a great team effort – everyone put a shift in,” North vice captain Jimmy Naumovski said. “Lara are a good side, so it was pleasing to come out on top in a tough match.”
The reserves won 4-0 in their fixture to continue their excellent form, and remain top of the league. This weekend’s games are home against Spring Hills FC at Duane Reserve with the reserves at 1pm, followed by the seniors from 3pm.
