Altona Magic’s time at the top of the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 ladder was short-lived.
The Magic was brought down 3-1 on home turf by an impressive Preston Lions at Paisley Park on Saturday.
The only bright spot for the Magic was a first-half goal by Habib Musa, who has now scored in the past two matches.
The Magic now hit the road to face lowly Cairnlea on Saturday but will have to do it without striker Paul Harvey.
Harvey was released on Monday night to join NPL club Hume City after scoring three goals in six games.
The Magic will announce a new signing this week.
Altona East Phoenix had a gutsy 1-0 road win over Western Suburbs at Ralph Reserve on Sunday.
All the Phoenix needed to secure all three points was a first-half goal to Keisuke Mizushima.
It was the Phoenix’s second win of the campaign and consolidates their position mid-table.
Phoenix will host Diamond Valley United at Paisley Park on Saturday.
In state league 2 north-west, Yarraville Glory romped to a 4-0 win over Geelong away at Stead Park.
Darcey Den Ouden was magnificent for the Glory with a hat-trick and is averaging a goal a game over the opening six weeks of the season.
The Glory has moved up to second on the ladder, a point behind leader Sporting Whittlesea.
Fourth-placed Moreland United will visit McIvor Reserve for a massive game on Saturday.
In state league 3 north-west, Altona City sent a message to the rest of the league with a 2-1 win over top side Upfield under lights at Kim Reserve on Friday night.
David Mahoney fired in a double for City, who moved up to fourth, three points from the top.
City will start hot favourites on the visit to point-less Brunswick Zebras on Saturday.
FC Williamstown is riding high in third place after a 3-1 win over Whittlesea United at Thomas Street Reserve.
The Blues’ goals came through a variety of sources with Aleksandar Dimitrijevic, Sam McCrillis and Jay’Lee Hodgson getting their names on the scoresheet.
Next up for the Blues is a tough encounter with Darebin United at Gray Reserve on Saturday.
In state league 4 west, Melbourne City held a half-time lead over Melton Phoenix on the road at MacPherson Park after a goal to Alejandro Ferrari but could not hold on to it and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
City, one of the pre-season title favourites, has slipped to fifth, four points behind top side Sebastopol.
City will be desperately seeking maximum points when it hosts fourth-ranked Brimbank Stallions in a cracker at Edwards Reserve on Saturday.
Laverton Park remains rock bottom after a 2-1 loss to Sebastopol, while Altona North was too leaky at the back in a 4-2 loss to Brimbank.
