By Lance Jenkinson
Ninety drama-filled minutes provided Altona North with its biggest character test of the season in the Football Victoria men’s state league 4 west.
A hard-fought 3-1 win over Laverton in a local derby at Laverton Park Reserve on Saturday was not as straightforward as North would have hoped going into a game against a side that was 10 rungs below them on the ladder.
North finished the game with nine men after Alexerd Blaze and Omar Riffi were brandished two yellow cards each that turned into reds and they were sent off.
It made for an interesting final 15 minutes of the match, which North survived after showing their fighting capabilities.
“The last 10 or 15 minutes could’ve went either way,” North coach Alan Muscat said.
“We were down to nine men and Laverton threw everything they had at us.
“We held on and it was a good character building win.”
Altona North were somewhat taken aback by Laverton’s early onslaught in the first half.
Laverton got the rewards of its fast start with a goal from a free kick to Connor Bencich.
The goal was a wake-up call for North, who slowly worked their way back into the contest.
“Hats off to Laverton, [coach] Vinnie [De La Plaza] and his team, they’ve picked up some players in the past few weeks and they’re getting better results,” Muscat said.
Two goals from Altona North striker Chris Swain late in the first half turned the game on its head.
Swain scored his first from a free kick and pounced following Laverton errors to give Altona North an unlikely 2-1 lead at half time.
Swain completed his hat-trick in the second half, converting from the penalty spot after his foray into the box drew the penalty.
It was a special day for Swain in more ways than one.
“It was a good day for Chris to get a hat-trick,” Muscat said. “He’s of Aboriginal descent and it’s Aboriginal heritage week [across Football Victoria competitions] this week, so it was nice for him to cap it off with a hat-trick.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Laverton vs Altona North
Altona North is sitting a point clear on top of the ladder after five straight wins, but Muscat is not totally satisfied that his side playing to its full potential.
“We’ve been grinding out our results, which is good,” Muscat said.
“It’s going to be a tough run home with the way the ladder is shaping up.”
Altona North will have another local derby this Saturday, hosting the Spotswood-based Melbourne City at Duane Reserve.
City will enter the game in good form after a 4-2 win over Truganina Hornets.
In men’s state league 1, Altona City faces top side Preston Lions on the road and returned with a 2-2 draw.
Yarraville was also the away team in a 1-1 draw with Caroline Springs George Cross.
Rain forced the postponement of Altona East Phoenix’s game against Epping City in men’s state league 2.
Williamstown had a memorable 3-2 road win over FC Strathmore in men’s state league 3.
In the NPL, Altona Magic went down 2-1 to Bentleigh Greens away on Friday nightIn the women’s competitions, Emily Guardiani scored for Altona City in a 1-0 win over Maidstone United in state league 3.
Altona Magic claimed a 3-0 victory over Maribyrnong Swifts Thunder.
In state league 4, Barnstoneworth United played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with West Point, but there was nothing to smaile about for Maribyrnong Swifts Lightning, who lost 11-0 to Avondale.
