ALTONA East Phoenix has some breathing space after moving a game clear of the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 2 relegation zone.
Phoenix fans were on tenterhooks for most of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Fitzroy City at Paisley Park.
A goal on the hour to Paul Galea would end a three-game losing run.
Phoenix coach Terry Antoniadis told the Weekly his inexperienced side had been threatening to win in recent games.
“We’ve been close against some really good sides the last two or three weeks,” he said. “It was about continuing to apply ourselves the way we had in those games and the wins weren’t too far away.”
Galea’s glancing goal from a Matthew Napoli corner was a just reward for their early pressure.
“It came at a good time for us,” Antoniadis said. “Five or 10 minutes after that, they had a man sent off, which put us in a really good position.
“They had a couple of chances after that, but we felt fairly comfortable.
“We got better the longer the game went on.”
The two players involved in the Phoenix goal were the standouts.
Galea worked hard to create pressure out wide, while Napoli worked hard in the centre of the park.
Full-back Frank Proietto marshalled the defence.
The Phoenix has endured a horror run with injuries, but the elevated players are providing hope they can stave off the threat of relegation.
“We’ve been absolutely ravaged with as many as seven or eight first-team squad members who started the year with us no longer available due to long-term injuries,” Antoniadis said.
“I can’t remember ever being involved in a season quite like it.
“We’ve been relying on young blokes from the reserves and it’s great for them because they get exposure at senior level and it’s good for the club to see young kids coming through.
“But it has really stretched our playing resources and that’s why wins like this are fantastic for the morale around the club.”
