Altona North is sticking to the task at hand in the FV state league 3 north-west competition.
Sitting atop the table, Altona North is in the box seat to claim the championship and also a much wanted promotion.
After missing out on promotion on goal difference last season, Altona North has lost just one game for the season so far.
Coach Bob Stojcevski said so far, so good and things had gone to plan.
“It is nice to have it,” he said of having their fate in their own hands.
“We spoke about the challenge ahead and the objectives we’ve set for ourselves not just as a team, but as a club[ at the start of the season],” he said.
“We’ve been achieving those objectives from the start of the year. Nothing’s a done deal yet, but we are on track.”
Altona North has one of its biggest challenges of the season on Saturday after having a bye, facing Surf Coast in a top of the table battle.
Surf Coast is the only side to defeat Altona North this season. With third and fourth also playing on the weekend, a lot was on the line for the side’s looking for promotion.
Speaking before the game, Stojcevski said it was a really important game for them.
“We set ourselves the challenge that we wanted to make our home ground a very important ground,” he said.
“We had a bad defeat at Surf Coast and it was our only defeat of the season.
“We want to make amends at home, it means a lot to us.”
Altona North still needs to play third placed Sunbury United on the run home as well, with Stojcevski saying every match was just as important.
“It doesn’t mean anything if we win this week and then lose to the bottom team,” he said.
“It’s one of those things we’ve talked about. Every game is worth three points irrespective of who we are playing, we need to be consistent all the time in the league.
“Don’t underestimate anyone.”
A championship and/or promotion would add to what is set to already be a big celebration at the end of the season with the club marking its 50th year celebrations.
Stojcevski said it was going to be a special event.
