By Lance Jenkinson
Altona City is looking to regain its spark after a much-needed break in the Football Victoria men’s state league 1 north-west.
City hit a rough patch ahead of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, losing three of their previous four games.
The worst of which came against bottom two side FC Clifton Hill in a 3-0 loss in their last start.
City football director Sam Borg is confident his side can turn its form around.
“Obviously losing three out of the last four isn’t great, so the break has come at a good time for us,” Borg said.
“We’ve played some decent football [in the past four games], but the results haven’t totally reflected the way we’ve played.
“We’ll re-group.
“We’re still pretty happy with where we’re placed.
“We’ll take stock of where we are, focus on the positives and then bring in the right players to help us go forward again.”
Altona City’s recent poor results have proven costly.
After spending most of the first half of the season in the top two and snapping at the heels of ladder leader Preston Lions, City has now fallen to fourth and a hefty eight points back from the Lions.
Borg sees his team’s recent form as a blip on the radar, rather than a trend.
City is still gunning for promotion to the National Premier League ranks, which will take in two north-west sides this season, not the usual one, because of a competition re-structure.
“We believe we’ve still got something to play for in the second half of the season,” Borg said.
“We’re going to stay pretty solid throughout the year and see where it takes us.
“We’ve got nothing to lose and all to gain.
“The Altona way is to battle every game, every week.”
Altona City will bolster its squad this week.
City are finalising deals with a number of players to strengthen the team.
One player who has already signed on the dotted line is goalkeeper Kile Kennedy.
Kennedy, a former Dandenong City player in the NPL, comes in as a replacement for the outgoing Griffin McMaster.
“He comes in with a lot of experience and it was something we were looking to bolster after a few poor results,” Borg said.
“He’s not tall, but he’s very strong, he commands the box and uses his feet well.
“He leads the troops from the back, which is something we felt we needed.
“He’s a good ready-made replacement.”
Altona City will face Yarraville Glory in a local derby at McIvor Reserve on Saturday.
The Glory is coached by former City coach Paul Donnelly.
Borg is expecting a tough and frustrating encounter.
MORE FFV NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/western-suburbs-sit-tight/
