By Lance Jenkinson
Change is about to sweep through Altona City like it has not done for a long time.
Coach Andy O’Dell and football director Sam Borg will step down from their positions at the end of the Football Victoria men’s state league 1 season after four years in charge.
The pair will leave City in a better position than they found it, but the time has come for fresh blood to take City to the next level.
“There will be some departures at the end of the season,” Borg said.
“Andy O’Dell will be one of them and that’s already been announced.
“I will be stepping down from my role next year as well. For me it’s more about work commitments and allowing other people to come in and make a change.”
Altona City has improved each year O’Dell has been coach.
In 2016, City turned into a contender for promotion in state league 2, a feat it achieved a year later as champions in 2017.
After moving up to state league 1 in 2018, City has remained at the level for the past two seasons. It finished ninth last year and is currently in fourth place this year.
Realistically, City cannot get promoted, but Borg reckons a top-four finish would satisfy the club’s powerbrokers.
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“Finishing in the top two is not a realistic possibility, but our motivation at the start of the season was to at least finish in the top four,” Borg said.
City’s past month has been frustrating.
On Saturday, its away clash with Banyule City was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The four games prior saw City cough up big leads at half-time.
“The last four games we’ve been 2-0 up at half-time in every game and managed to only win one of those,” Borg said.
“We’ve blown whatever opportunity we had for promotion.”
Altona City will play Sydenham Park at Kim Reserve on Saturday evening. The game gives City a chance to shape the title race, with the visiting Reds still in with a shot of winning the title.
Elsewhere in men’s state league 1, Yarraville Glory enjoyed a 2-1 win over FC Clifton Hill on the road.
Altona East Phoenix got a mid-week 3-2 win away to Mill Park less than a month after losing a game 10-1. The Phoenix could not maintain the rage on Saturday night, going down 6-3 to Hume United.
In women’s state league 2, Maribyrnong Swifts Silvers lost 10-0 to top side Spring Hills.
In women’s state league 3, Maidstone United crushed Rowville Eagles 6-0, with Jessica Stojcevski paving the way with a hat-trick.
Altona Magic pipped Fitzroy City 2-1 after goals to captain Gabriella Panagiotou and Stephanie Pasceri, while Altona City lost 3-0 to Melbourne University.
In the NPL, Altona Magic sunk to a 2-0 loss to South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium.
