After returning to the winner’s list last week, Altona Hockey Club made it two in a row, with a 3-1 victory over Southern United at Moorabbin on Saturday. Altona went in as favourites, with Southern United in tenth position with just two wins this season, but have struggled in recent seasons against Southern’s game plan.
Southern United started well, and created a few scoring opportunities. Goal keeper Tom Pinnegar continued his stellar form, saving everything they shot at him. Captain Steve Campbell went down early in the match with a dislocated shoulder. The injury rattled the A’s for ten minutes, until they eventually regained control and went 1-0 up through a brilliant individual goal from Matthew Guest. He beat three players and then tomahawked the ball into the net.
After the break, Patrick Phillips moved up forward, from the midfield, and his pace was troubling the Southern United defence. Phillips was assisted by fellow striker, Tyson Priddle, who was defending well, making it difficult for the Southern defence to get out of their back line. He made a tackle, and then set up centre half Kieran Symons for his first ever Premier League goal. This capped off a great second half performance from the young player.
Striker Niels de Jong had several shots throughout the day, and was rewarded with a goal late in the half, a very handy tomahawk.
Guest was dominant all day, ahead of the Commonwealth Games, where he will be competing for Canada. Pinnegar was assisted by defenders Mathew Higgins, who was, once again, brilliant, and Jake Macvean, with Southern’s only goal scored against the run of play late in the half.
The win has put Altona five points clear in fourth position, ahead of Waverley. They play Mentone last placed Mentone next Saturday afternoon at Grant Reserve.
Altona defeated Southern United 3-1
Goals: Matthew Guest, Kieran Symons, Niels De Jong
Meanwhile, Altona’s Womens Premier League side defeated Toorak-East Malvern 3-0 to stay in touch with the four, sitting in sixth position, four points from fourth.