Altona’s Premier League Men side travelled to Mentone, the biggest road trip in the competition, chock full of confidence after a brilliant start to the season. Heading to the “Sand Pit” with three wins under their belt, the Seagulls were raging hot favourites against last placed Mentone.
Once the pitch, flooded during the Womens Premier League match, drained, the match got underway and the A’s were dominant early. After peppering the net early, a successful penalty corner conversion from Australian Futures Squad member, Andrew Scanlon, saw the visitors take an early 1-0 lead. The A’s held this lead until half time, with goal keeper Tom Pinnegar making crucial saves to deny the Panthers.
The A’s were dominating second half possession, but were unable to convert this to a lead on the score board. That is until midfielder Chris Porter slotted a powerful tomahawk to take a 2-0 lead. Mentone got one back in a similar style only minutes later. This spurred Altona back into action, with the next ten minutes spent in Altona’s forward line, with several penalty corners saved by the Mentone keeper. Andrew Scanlon finally broke through, scoring another penalty corner, this time a tomahawk shot to take a 3-1 lead.
Co-Coach Ben Guy was pleased with the victory “We have had a great start to the season and while we are at opposite ends of the ladder, we do not underestimate any opposition. It’s a difficult trip down here, with Mentone enjoying a big home ground advantage, so it was great to record a win down here.”
Next weekend, second placed Altona play third placed Greensborough at Ballarat as the club takes Premier League hockey to a regional association. The match will be extra special as veteran defender Mathew Higgins plays his 300th Premier League match for Altona.
Altona 3 defeated Mentone 1
Goals: Andrew Scanlon 2, Chris Porter 1
Mentone’s Womens Premier League side were grand finalists in 2013, so Altona faced quite a challenge on Saturday. The weather was horrible, with a flash storm cutting short the second half as the pitch flooded.
Mentone got off to a flyer, scoring three early goals in the first half. The signs were looking ominous, and a real thrashing looked to be a possibility. Hockeyroo Danielle Schubach and Missy Johnson were looking sharp in the midfield, while Centre Half, Bronte Kerley was providing her forwards with many opportunities. Kerley got a goal back, just before half time, from a penalty corner, to go in 1-3 at the break.
The second half was cut short due to the pitch being flooded, and no further score was added.
Mentone defeated Altona 3-1
Goal: Bronte Kerley