ALTONA Magic tasted defeat for the first time in more than a month in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1.
The Magic’s four-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 loss to ladder-leader Port Melbourne Sharks at Paisley Park on Saturday.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the big game.
In a massive blow to the Magic’s promotion chances, the John Markovski-coached outfit slipped six points back from second-placed Pascoe Vale with just six games remaining.
After a goalless first half, it was the Sharks who got on the front foot after half-time with a goal to Darryl Roach after just two minutes.
The Magic left it late to respond, finding an 89th minute equaliser through a free kick from midfielder Rini Muriqi and they appeared to have bagged a point.
Then came the knockout blow delivered by Sharks striker Haris Vrbovac with a late, late winner coming in stoppage time.
In state league 2 north-west, Altona East Phoenix seems destined for mid-table obscurity after a 2-1 loss to Ballarat Red Devils left it eight points out of the promotion places.
Altona City is in a spot of bother with its 2-0 loss to Preston Lions at BT Connor Reserve leaving it stuck at the bottom of the ladder.
SCORES
SL1: Altona Magic 1 Port Melbourne Sharks 2
SL2: Ballarat Red Devils 2 Altona East Phoenix 1; Preston Lions 2 Altona City 0
SL3: Avondale Heights 2 Yarraville 0; Williamstown 1 Sydenham Park 3
PL1: Lalor United 2 Maribyrnong Greens 2
PL2: Laverton Park 1 West Preston 1
PL3: Melbourne City 0 Melton Phoenix 3
MML: Altona North 3 St Kevin’s Old Boys 1
Go to hobsonsbayweekly.com.au for a photo gallery from Altona Magic’s clash.
