Altona Magic steadied the ship with a 2-0 win over Western Suburbs in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 soccer at Paisley Park on Saturday night.
The Magic’s promotion push was jolted with a loss and a draw in the past fortnight, but the side was back to its best in picking up its first win since mid-May.
Both of the Magic’s goals came in the first half, through Jon McShane and Joseph Franjic.
McShane has scored five goals in 10 league appearances this season, while Franjic found the back of the net for the first time this campaign.
Altona’s lead at the top of the ladder has stretched back out to five points ahead of a trip to mid-table Essendon Royals this Saturday.
While one Altona side is on top of the pile, another has sunk to rock bottom.
Altona East Phoenix is down in the cellar after a 1-0 loss to Westgate in a clash of the bottom two at Castley Reserve.
The Phoenix will be desperately seeking a major turnaround against second-placed Geelong away on Saturday evening.
Yarraville Glory is ruing one that got away after a 3-2 loss to Preston Lions at McIvor Reserve. All was fine and dandy for the Glory at half-time, with the side leading by two goals on the back of a Keith Burch double.
But a nightmare soon eventuated for the Glory though as Preston star Robert Stambolziev fired in a hat-trick late in the second half. All of Stambolziev’s three goals came within 23 minutes, including the winner in second-half stoppage time.
The Glory, sitting two points above the relegation zone, has a crucial encounter with mid-table Western Suburbs at Ralph Reserve on Saturday.
Altona City has tumbled to third in men’s state league 2 after a 3-2 loss to Hume United at Kim Reserve. Ayodeji Omoboye scored both of City’s goals to make it six in 10 games.
Williamstown ceded ground to ladder-leaders Brimbank Stallions in men’s state league 3 after a 1-1 draw with Melbourne University.
In women’s state league 1, Maribyrnong Swifts were victorious 2-0 over Maidstone United in the local derby at Johnson Reserve.
Alana Dargham and captain Aliantha Vandermey scored for the Swifts.
Yarraville Glory enjoyed a 3-1 win over Yarra Jets, Sarah Lovett scoring a double.
