Altona East Phoenix have joined the winners’ list for the first time this season in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1.
The Phoenix moved out of the bottom two on Saturday with a confidence boosting 2-1 win over Sydenham Park on the road at Keilor Lodge Reserve.
At the forefront of the victory for the Phoenix was Goran Jozeljic, who scored two second-half goals.
The Phoenix players will be hoping to keep up the momentum when they travel to North Sunshine Eagles on Saturday.
Altona Magic remains the pacesetter in the division, though it was made to work hard for a 1-0 derby win over Yarraville Glory on Saturday night.
Steven Thomson scored the game’s only goal after heading in a nicely weighted cross from John Stojcevski.
The Magic is two points clear on top ahead of a trip to Westgate on Saturday.
In men’s state league 2, Altona City quickly turned its attention to its upcoming rivalry game with Hoppers Crossing this Saturday night at Kin Reserve after disposing of Geelong Rangers 2-0 at Myers Reserve.
City’s clashes with Hoppers Crossing are always the biggest games on the calendar for each club. This one will have extra significance as it will be a heavyweight first-versus-third clash.
City, which sits third, will get no better chance to close the gap on Hoppers, which is a perfect five wins from five starts. City goes in with good form of their own after goals to captain Matthew Gray and Marcus Sherif secured the win over the Rangers.
The misery continued for Melbourne City in men’s state league 3, slaughtered 8-1 by Heidelberg Stars at Cartledge Reserve.
The story was not much better for Williamstown, which lost 5-0 to ladder-leader La Trobe University on the road.
Altona North enjoyed a 4-1 win away to Melton Phoenix.
Laverton Park minced Maribyrnong Greens 5-2, with Mayani Isdore leading the way with a double at Skinner Reserve, while Maidstone United had a tough time of it in a 4-0 loss to the mighty Deakin Ducks.
