ALTONA Magic coach Zoran Trajcevski has an eye on the future as he uses the FFV State Knockout Cup as a breeding ground for his next generation of players.
A 2-1 win over provisional league 1 south-east side Brandon Park at Paisley Park Soccer Complex on Saturday was just an added bonus in the grander scheme.
Trajcevski told the Weekly that he won’t spend too much time stressing over results in the do-or-die competition but is hopeful of a lengthy participation in the tournament so his young players can have more exposure to top-level football.
“We played against a provisional league team but with a young squad that I am building up for the next couple of years,” he said.
“We’ve got some talented kids and we’re going to give them a chance in the FFV Cup, and so far I’m happy with how they’re going.
“This win is good because they’re going to get an extra game now.”
The Magic got off to a flying start with a goal in the fifth minute from new recruit Juso Julardzija.
The hosts had full control of the game until Brandon Park found an equaliser late in the first half, giving the minnows hope of causing an upset as they had parity at 1-1 at the half-time break.
“They were very competitive in the first half,” Trajcevski said.
The second half was a different story with the Magic bombarding the visitors’ goal.
The match-winner came 15 minutes after the resumption of play when a Julardzija’s strike was parried by the goalkeeper into the path of Stevce Dimcevski, who made no mistake.
It was at this time that Brandon Park lost all hope and allowed the likes of Steven Cudrig, Robert Naumoski and Julardzija to dictate the game.
“In the second half they couldn’t keep up,” Trajcevski said.
“Psychologically, as soon as we scored the second goal, they couldn’t attack and they gave up. We had a lot more chances and couldn’t score.”
Meanwhile, Yarraville Glory is stinging after bowing out of the cup with a 6-0 loss to Port Melbourne Sharks at SS Anderson Reserve on Friday night.
FFV CUP
Altona Magic 2 Brandon Park 1
Port Melbourne Sharks 6 Yarraville FC 0
