A MONTH ago, any suggestion Yarraville Glory could challenge for promotion in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 north-west would have been deemed laughable.
Not any more.
The Glory has become a serious contender.
The team has turned its fortunes around dramatically with three wins and a draw in four rounds to move to within two points of the top two.
Even Glory president Jon Balakis had his doubts and aired his concerns with senior coach Charlie Egan.
Egan told him to keep the faith.
“Three or four weeks ago, we might’ve been in survival mode,” Balakis said. “I asked Charlie, ‘What are we doing, are we going to go down again?’
“He said, ‘Nah mate, just hang in there – we’re still going to go for promotion’, and I said, ‘Really?’”
The Glory continued its winning streak with a 3-1 win over Banyule City at McIvor Reserve.
Incredibly, it was the only match that went ahead in the division, with all other games postponed due to Melbourne’s big wet.
“That’s the one thing about Yarraville’s ground – it holds up really well and the drainage is fantastic,” Balakis said.
“When the soccer field was built about 11 years ago, the drainage they put under it was fantastic and we never have an issue with that main pitch.”
The strike partnership of John Little and Darcey Den Ouden continues to fire.
Little, the veteran who scored a double hat-trick two weeks ago, continued his hot form with two goals. Den Ouden, the speedy teenager, added a goal.
“You can’t beat his experience,” Balakis said of Little. “He’s the one telling the younger blokes where to run and pointing where they should be. The boys are really bouncing off him.”
What might be a glimpse into the future at other clubs is a look at the here and now at the Glory, with the likes of teenagers Chris Williams and Jordan Balakis holding down starting roles.
“They certainly have a bit of talent and they put all the tuition from Charlie on to the pitch,” Balakis said.
The Glory face a tough test on the road against third-placed Sunbury United on Saturday.
