Altona bounced back after last week’s disappointing performance in the Western Derby, with a comfortable 5-1 win over Southern United. Altona had been embarrassed by the team from Moorabbin earlier in the year, so were keen to atone for that debacle, and came out firing, putting the game beyond doubt in the first half.
A ten minute period in the first half saw Altona score three goals to set up the victory. Midfielders Steve Campbell, Harry Dolenc and Josh Horton were dominant, and providing striker Jesse Gatt with plenty of opportunities. Young Andrew Scanlon scored first, with a searing drag flick top corner from a penalty corner. Jesse Gatt scored a rebound goal next, from another penalty corner, and the Altona boys were up and about. Leading goal scorer, Chris Coleman, then made 3-0, with a low, fast flick into the bottom corner, from yet another penalty corner.
Horton, who was providing a handful for the Southern defence, with his pace and silky skills, scored a very impressive goal to make it 4-0. Gatt intercepted the ball in the midfield, fired it into Horton, who rolled onto his forestick, drew the keeper out of the net, and calmly slotted it into the back of the net.
Altona continued to dominate in the second half. Veterans Mathew Higgins, in defence, and Tyson Priddle, at centre half, controlled the play, while the young Altona midfielders and strikers were creating havoc with their pace and skills.
Southern got one back half way through the second period, with quite an impressive deflection past goal keeper Aaron Anstis. Anstis was coaxed out of retirement after regular keeper, Ben Oborne, was overseas for work commitments, and it was like he never hung up the pads. Anstis was brilliant in the air, and made several unbelievable diving stick saves, and the one goal against, was a blot on an otherwise perfect game from the veteran.
Dolenc and Horton continued to trouble the Southern defenders, and were getting a lot of ball out wide on the run. Campbell provided Pat Phillips with long pass, and the pacey Phillips carried the ball along the base line into the scoring circle, where he went to cross the ball, but scored a goal after the cross deflected into the net off the goal keeper.
Coach Ben Guy was pleased with the win “After last week’s disappointing effort, the boys were keen to atone and show the competition what they were capable of. Our young blokes were fantastic today, with Horton and Dolenc providing us with a lot of run and carry. It is important, with finals unachievable, that we finish the season with some purpose, and today was a step in the right direction.”
Altona play bottom of the ladder Mentone next Saturday away.
Altona 5 defeated Southern United 1
Goals: Chris Coleman, Andrew Scanlon, Jesse Gatt, Josh Horton, Patrick Phillips