Another Chris Coleman drag flick finds the back of the net
Altona’s State League One Men returned to the winners list on Saturday in a see-sawing contest in horrible conditions at Grant Reserve. The A’s held off a second half come back from MCC amid a deluge of rain, to record a 3-2 victory in front of a cold, wet, but happy home crowd. The first half was very willing, and full of chances, but neither side could find the back of the net. Missing elder statesmen, co-captain TJ Priddle, through injury, some of the A’s younger players stood up after half time, with Harry Dolenc, Mick Gallo and Jacob Macvean all featuring. Altona opened the scoring, with a successful flick on a penalty corner from Chris Coleman, early in the second half. The goal gave the A’s confidence, and they started to get on top of their opposition. Pat Phillips’ pace was causing issues for the Demons up front, while Jesse Gatt and Liam Williamson were providing a lot of drive in the midfield. Ten minutes into the second half, and Phillips crossed the ball to young striker, Lachie Russell, who slotted a goal from close in, his first in the State League One competition. The second Altona goal seemed to spur MCC into action.
Lachy Russell scored his first SL1 goal
They lifted their work rate, and were putting Altona under immense pressure up back, with several close attempts from counter attacks being saved by goal keeper Aaron Anstis. The A’s defence wasn’t able to hold off the tsunami of attack, with the dam finally breaking and MCC scoring two field goals in three minutes. It seemed Altona had thrown away their early ascendancy, but no one told co-captain Stevie Campbell. A breakdown in a penalty corner seemed doomed to fail, but Campbell pounced on a loose ball and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Altona managed to hang on, even when reduced to 10 men in the final minute, due to an indiscretion, to record a 3-2 victory. Co-Coach Greg Drake was pleased after the match: “In the past, when sides have come back and clawed back our lead, we have stopped in our tracks, so today, to look inside ourselves and lift a notch, and manage to reclaim the lead and get the three points was very pleasing. We have eight players out of our top squad, so it is great to see some of the younger blokes get their chance and grab it with both hands.”
Anthony Traill runs into a characteristically tough Steve Campbell tackle
Altona travel to Doncaster next Saturday 2nd June.
Altona 3 def MCC 2
Goals: C. Coleman, L. Russell, S. Campbell