Altona Magic’s time at the top of the National Premier League 2 west soccer ladder is over.
The Magic spent five weeks in first place but ceded it to Moreland Zebras at the weekend.
It is the first time in their promotion season that Altona has shown signs of the wobbles.
The Magic has lost two of its past three games, including Saturday evening’s 2-1 loss to St Albans Saints. Most disappointing for the Goran Lozanovski-coached Magic is that both losses have come on home soil at Paisley Park.
Altona was on the back foot at half-time, trailing 1-0 after Luis Covarrubias put
St Albans in front. The Magic hit back through Jon McShane seven minutes after the break.
But it would all turn pear shaped, as not only did Michael Grgic score the game’s deciding goal for St Albans nine minutes later, but McShane would receive a red card, along with the Saints’ Daniel Slovacek, in the final minutes. It means that McShane, the competition’s second leading goalscorer, will be suspended for Altona’s trip to Goulburn Valley Suns on Saturday night.
The Magic fell to second on the ladder, still just one point behind Moreland.
In the state leagues, Yarraville Glory had its first win of the men’s state league 1 season.
The Glory broke its duck with a 2-1 win over Altona City at McIvor Reserve on Saturday.
In men’s state league 2, Altona East Phoenix lost for the second week running, downed 2-1 by Cairnlea at Cairnlea Park.
Alex Vlassis scored both of Williamstown’s goals in a 2-2 draw with FC Strathmore in the men’s state league 3.
It was a disastrous day for local clubs in the men’s state league 4. Melbourne City was obliterated 10-2 by Surf Coast, while Laverton was thrashed 6-0 by Western Eagles.
A local battle took place in men’s state league 5 with Maidstone United victorious 4-1 over Maribyrnong Greens. Kristian Kis scored a double for United.
In women’s state league 2, it was a weekend to forget for both local outfits. Maribyrnong Swifts were gutsy against Lara United, but still lost 1-0, while Maidstone United was hammered 3-0 by Moreland Zebras.
In women’s state league 3, Altona City had a 5-0 win over Gisborne but Altona Magic lost 3-2 to Melbourne University.
