By Lance Jenkinson
Yarraville Glory has taken out local bragging rights over Altona City with a 2-1 win in the Football Victoria men’s state league 1 at McIvor Reserve on Saturday.
The victory was sweet for Glory coach Paul Donnelly, who brought about the downfall of a club he used to manage.
Despite Altona City sitting nine points above his side entering the round, Donnelly was confident the Glory could get all three points.
“I wish we could play Altona City every week,” he said with a laugh.
“I just think we match up well against them.
“There’s a local rivalry there and the game had a bit of everything.
“It was a good game and a good win.”
Donnelly hit back at claims from the Altona City camp that his style of football is based on defence – or effectively boring.
In fact, he believes Yarraville’s win was achieved in an entertaining fashion and that his side was the aggressors from the word go.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a defensive coach,” Donnelly said.
“That’s interesting, but everyone’s got an opinion.
“We’ve got a brand of football that we play, but we want to score goals.
“It’s depending on who we’re playing, we mix it up.
“We didn’t go in defensive, we dominated the first half and should’ve been three-nil after 20 minutes.
“We missed about five good chances.”
Ryan Stewart put Yarraville in front with a spectacular goal.
Stewart’s goal was erased with a City equaliser and the Glory were wondering if their missed chances would prove costly.
With scores locked at 1-1, Altona City received not one, but two penalty kicks.
Both were incredibly saved by Yarraville goalkeeper Alex Tsesmelis.
“He turned out to be the hero,” Donnelly said.
After Tsesmelis’s heroics, Yarraville had to go and find a winner to do his work justice.
Attacking midfielder and captain Steve Georgakakis found the match-winning goal for the Glory in the 89th minute.
“We got them on the break and Stevie G flicked it into the top corner,” Donnelly said.
Altona East Phoenix got to sing the team song in men’s state league 2 with a 2-0 road win over Western Suburbs.
In men’s state league 3, Williamstown pipped Essendon United 1-0 with the winner coming from Graham Bell.
Altona North continued to boss the men’s state league 4 competition.
Laverton played out a 2-2 draw with North Melbourne Athletic, while Melbourne City drew 1-1 with Bell Park.
In women’s state league 3, Altona Magic was out-classed 2-0 by Spring Hills.
Altona City and Brunswick City – two top four sides – had an enthralling 2-2 draw.
