ALTONA Magic is paying the price for its lack of cutting edge up front in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1.
The Magic has not found adequate cover for sidelined striker Melvin Becket, who is serving a seven-game suspension for an indiscretion in a state knockout cup game on May 4.
Chances continue to fall the way of the Magic’s front line, but they are not being grabbed.
The Magic is in free-fall with just one point from its past five matches, leaving it languishing in ninth.
The team had a plethora of chances to put Werribee City to the sword when leading by a goal at Paisley Park on Sunday, but it left the door ajar for the Bees with some poor finishing and the visitors took full advantage for a 2-1 win.
Magic football operations manager Rubin Todorovski said his side was not getting value for its efforts across the park because of inability to score as frequently as it had done in the opening month of the campaign.
“It’s just a shame that it’s come down to a lack of finishing that has cost us the game again,’’ he said.
“It’s a team sport – when you score a goal, you’ve got to use your teammates. I’m not saying players aren’t passing the ball, but they could’ve made some better decisions, put it that way.”
The Magic took the lead in the 38th minute through Stevce Dimcevski, who was beneficiary of a Bees defensive mix-up that resulted in a tap-in for the striker.
The second half was full of drama with the referee handing out two red cards, one for each side.
The Bees exploited the extra space, finding an equaliser through captain Milan Savic before Gazmend Ajdini scored the winner.
The concession of two goals in quick succession was due to a lapse in concentration from the Magic defence, a worrying trend that has been evident in recent weeks.
“It’s not the performance, it’s more a psychological thing,’’ Todorovski said. “We haven’t been getting played off the park – all the losses are just from not concentrating.”
The Magic will face Lalor United in a friendly match at Paisley Park on Saturday.
In state league 2, Altona East Phoenix was no contest for ladder leader Moreland City, which won 5-2 in a canter at Campbell Reserve.
In state league 3, Altona City moved four points clear of bottom spot with a 2-1 win over cellar dweller Hume City at HC Kim Reserve. There were plenty of goals in the match between Yarraville Glory and Moreland United, but it was United that left McIvor Reserve with a 4-2 win.
In state league 4, Williamstown and the Essendon Royals settled on a 0-0 draw at the Reggio Calabria Club, while Maribyrnong Greens lost 2-1 at home to Surf Coast.
In state league 5, Melbourne City, led by two goals from Simbarashe Said and made Melton Phoenix sweat it out at MacPherson Park before the Phoenix collected a 3-2 win.
