Melbourne City needs to make up ground fast in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 after losing 2-1 on the road to Point Cook at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday.
City was already on the back foot when former Socceroo Joe Spiteri netted a header to make it 1-0 to the home side at half-time.
Juan Pablo Raad pulled one back for City, pouncing on a defensive error for the equaliser midway through the second half.
But City’s defences were breached again by Point Cook’s quick-thinking Chris Sutera two minutes from time when he followed in a spilled ball from the goalkeeper to score from point blank range.
It was the fatal blow that saw City return to South Kingsville empty-handed and five points behind top side Maribyrnong Greens.
The Greens went down to 10 men in the second half of their clash with Bell Park but still managed to share the points of a nil-all draw.
Elsewhere in the division, Altona North was downed 2-1 by Truganina Hornets, while Laverton Park was hammered 5-1 at Melton Phoenix.
In state league 1, Altona Magic eventually secured all three points at Keilor Park, plugging a points leakage to ladder-leader North Sunshine Eagles before their showdown at Paisley Park on Saturday.
The Magic got the better of Keilor Park 3-2, but the persistent Parkers snapped at their heels throughout. Cem Cil, Ali Turgut and Melvin Becket scored for the Magic. It was Becket’s first game since returning from a stint of college soccer in the US.
The Magic’s clash with North Sunshine is a huge chance to cut the four-point deficit at the top of the table. Altona East Phoenix moved up to fifth with a solid 2-0 win over Corio.
In state league 2, Yarraville Glory scorched Hume United, 4-1, at McIvor Reserve.
In-form striker Darcey Den Ouden bagged two goals for the Glory to take his season tally to 10 in nine games. Keith Dunne scored for the second week running, while Goran Jozeljic joined in on the act.
In state league 3, Altona City feasted on goals in a 6-0 annihilation of Darebin United at HC Kim Reserve, jumping to second on the ladder, three points behind chart topping Hoppers Crossing. Williamstown was Hoppers’ latest victim, losing 2-0 at JT Gray Reserve.
