By Lance Jenkinson
Yarraville Glory has one eye on the now and one eye on the future in the Football Victoria men’s state league 1.
The Glory is out of the promotion hunt, but is still keen to be recognised as the best side outside the “big four” of Preston Lions, North Sunshine Eagles, Sydenham Park and Altona City, who have broken away from the pack and will be jostling for the highest honours.
While fifth place is the Glory’s target – they are sitting seventh after Saturday’s 1-0 road win over Keilor Park, two points off fifth – they are also wary of blooding some young players.
“We’d love to get up to fifth spot behind the big four,” Glory coach Paul Donnelly said.
“That would be a bonus for us I reckon with the way the season has gone.
“We also have to have a look at a few young lads.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries, we’ve got seven guys out at the moment, so there’s been some other guys getting their opportunities and we had a couple of reserves players in the last couple of weeks and they’ve done well.”
Donnelly said luck was on Glory’s side against Keilor Park.
The Glory kept their one-goal lead, scored by Lewis Shannon in the 25th minute, despite Keilor Park hitting the woodwork twice and Glory midfielder Nik Velkovski clearing a ball off the goal line.
“We were a bit fortunate this week to hold on to the one-nil,” Donnelly said
PHOTO GALLERY: Keilor Park vs Yarraville Glory
Ryan Stewart donned the captain’s armband for Yarraville and led his side to victory in the absence of the suspended Steve Georgakakis.
Yarraville will have a crucial game in its chase for the best-of-the-rest title when it visits fifth-placed Banyule City on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Evan Christodoulou and Domenico Marafioti found the back of the net in Altona City’s 2-0 win over Whittlesea United.
Altona East Phoenix was on the receiving end of a heavy 4-0 loss to Geelong Rangers in state league 2.
Williamstown’s promotion hopes in state league 3 took a blow with a 1-0 loss to Lalor United.
Altona North won the local derby 2-0 over Melbourne City in state league 4.
In the NPL, Altona Magic has tumbled to ninth after a 2-1 loss to Dandenong City at Paisley Park on Saturday night.
The Magic took the lead in the first half through Lirim Elmazi, but two of City’s former A-Leaguers, Brendon Santalab and Adrian Leijer, scored in the second half to take the points away from the home side.
Sitting four points outside the top six with four games remaining, the Magic faces a must-win game against Port Melbourne Sharks at J.L. Murphy Reserve on Saturday night.
In women’s competition, the big game was under lights on Friday night in state league 3 when Altona City and Altona Magic locked horns. City won easily 4-0 on a night when Renee Laszczak scored a hat-trick.
Laszczak has scored 17 goals in 12 games to sit top three in the golden boot.
MORE FFV NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/hoppers-crossing-makes-a-point/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/mill-park-on-the-right-track/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/keilor-park-looking-for-upside/
