Laverton Park was not meant to be this good coming out of the blocks.
The Reds beat Meadow Park 3-0 in their FFA Cup qualifier on Saturday to move into the main draw of the knockout competition.
“It was a good surprise,” Reds’ coach Vince De La Plaza said of the win.
“We’re still missing a few players. We had a couple of boys we pulled from the reserves team and they did their job. It was good to see what we’ve got.”
Laverton Park is not used to being so competitive this early in the season. A byproduct of its tumble to the bottom tier of the state leagues is having to go through to qualifying stage. De La Plaza was concerned before the game about the quality his side would be able to put on the park, having had a shorter than usual pre-season and without a handful of first teamers.
“We haven’t had much training and the boys are lacking a bit of fitness, but we managed to score three goals and play well,” he told Star Weekly.
“It was good to see a bit of character. They hung in there and managed to get the goals and keep a clean sheet. The other team didn’t have many chances.”
Javier Sobarzo opened the scoring for the Reds after 20 minutes, a lead that would be doubled just 10 minutes later through best-onfield Felipe Jara.
Shady Dib put the game out of reach by adding a third Reds’ goal – the pick of the lot – as the teenager controlled a cross then swivelled and powered the ball to the far corner.
The Reds will face Carey EFC in the first round at Laverton Park Reserve on Saturday.
On Saturday, Altona North will face Epping City at Duffy Street Reserve, while Melbourne City plays away to Surf Coast at Banyule’s Warri Reserve. Maribyrnong Greens will meet Old Xaverians at Broadmeadows’ Valley Park on Sunday.
