By Lance Jenkinson
There could be something special brewing at Altona North Soccer Club.
The Navy Blues have made a flawless start to the men’s state league 4 west season, claiming five straight wins. They are headed only by Surf Coast at the top of the ladder on goal difference.
Returning from the Easter break, the Navy Blues picked up where they left off, crushing Melbourne City 4-0 at Edwards Reserve.
Altona North coach Alan Muscat was delighted with the win.
“Being a local derby, it was good to get the result,” he said. “It’s always a worry, coming back after a break when you had momentum.”
The atmosphere at Altona North is buzzing after such a strong start.
Muscat is facing no glaring issues that need to be addressed and the team is defensively sound, conceding just three goals in five games.
And the side is having no trouble finding the back of the net, with 18 goals in five.
While Muscat is happy with how things sit, he is aware that it is just a small sample size in a long season.
“Any coach would be happy with five-from-five at the start of the season, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” he said.
“At the moment, the boys are putting in the hard yards at training and we’re getting the results as well.
“It’s a long season ahead of us and there’s plenty more teams to play.”
Elvir Hasanbegovic was the star for Altona North in the sinking of South Kingsville-based Melbourne City
Hasanbegovic finally got rewarded for his hard work with two goals – though he celebrated too hard and copped a yellow card in the process.
“It was good to see Elvir on the scoresheet because he’s a hard-working midfielder and it was good for him to get his just rewards for his hard work over the past few weeks,” Muscat said.
Altona North led 3-0 at half-time, but Melbourne City came out with renewed purpose in the second half and threatened for a 20-minute period.
But City’s forays forward were often detonated by a watertight Navy Blues defence led by Scott Berg, Joel Gerada and Tony Dong.
Altona North will be keen to keep its flawless record intact when Bell Park visits Duane Reserve on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Yarraville suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Keilor Park in state league 1.
Altona East Phoenix remains point-less in state league 2 after losing 1-0 to Geelong Rangers.
Williamstown was pipped 2-1 by Lalor United, leaving it mid-table with five points from five games.
In the NPL, Altona Magic’s hot form continued with a 2-1 win over Port Melbourne Sharks on Anzac Day.
Daniel Kuczynski netted with a header and captain Troy Ruthven scored from the spot in the Magic’s third straight win.
The third-placed Magic will take on runaway ladder leader Avondale in a blockbuster on the road at Avenger Park on Saturday.
In the women’s competitions, Maribyrnong Swifts Silvers are still without a point in state league 2 three rounds in after a narrow 1-0 loss to La Trobe University.
Altona City was the big winner in state league 3, mauling Maidstone United 5-1.
Renee Laszczak and Claire Scerri scored doubles for Altona City.
Altona Magic beat Maribyrnong Swifts Thunder 2-1 after goals to Gabriella Panagiotou and Janelle Sammut.
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