LAVERTON Park has thrown caution to the wind over the past fortnight to breathe new life into its Football Federation Victoria men’s provisional league 2 north-west season.
The Reds struggled in the opening month to make the transition with a restructured team under new coach Gordon Stavrevski, scoring just three times in four games, failing to pick up a win and occupying a lowly ladder position.
That has all changed over the past two weeks with goals now raining in and the Reds grabbing six of a possible six points to elevate to mid-table.
Reds striker Vincent De La Plaza told the Weekly a lot of changes were made to the make-up of the Reds line-up this season and a period of adjustment was inevitable.
“We lost six or seven good players from last season and it definitely made it hard,” he said.
“Slowly, we’re building a new team, we’re starting to get it together.
“Things are looking a lot better than they were two weeks ago.”
The Reds have found their sharpness in front of goal.
They have scored eight goals in 180 minutes of football.
On Saturday, they crushed the Northern Roosters 5-3 at Laverton Park Reserve.
Striker Ajak Panek fired in a double and De La Plaza and Cesar Hermocilla got on the score sheet.
There was even an own goal among that lot.
Panek, one of Stavrevski’s summer signings, showed what he is capable of.
“He’s got pace, strength and he’s a goalscorer,” De La Plaza said.
“He moved into the area after moving down from Sydney and was just looking for a game. He’s fitted in really well.”
The Reds fought back from a goal down in the first half to lead 2-1 at half-time. It was a lead that remained until the full-time whistle.
Captain Marcelo Gonzales was at the coalface for the Reds in central midfield.
“It was a good captain’s game,” De La Plaza said. “He fought hard in the middle and did a lot of talking and motivating.”
“He’s been at the club all his life but it’s his first year as captain and he’s a really good club man.”
The Reds have also been encouraged by the emergence of youngsters Jamie Marambio and Declan Martin.
They will be eager to continue their hot form with a win against third-placed Upfield on the road on Saturday.
-Lance Jenkinson
