Altona’s Mens Premier League side upset cross town rival Waverley in a sensational match on Saturday. While Waverley are mid-table this season, they have an extremely potent forward line and are always a chance to score heavily. Altona’s defence, led by goal keeper Ben Oborne, were amazing, choking Waverley of goal scoring opportunities.
Altona got off to a flyer, with their experienced players leading from the front. Tyson Priddle and captain Jesse Gatt were putting immense pressure on the Waverley backs, while midfielder Steve Campbell was providing a lot of drive in the guts. A penalty corner was successfully converted by young gun Chris Coleman, with a low, searing drag flick, and pre-match favourites Waverley were suddenly on the back foot. Altona managed to hold the lead into the break, mainly through the heroics of Oborne, who was rock solid in the net.
Altona scored again, ten minutes into the second half, with Chris Coleman again converting a penalty corner with a drag flick, the result of some excellent attacking play from Priddle and Gatt. Altona’s defensive pressure was causing turnovers from the usually slick Waverley side, and their pace and skills were troubling them on the counter attack. Another penalty corner was converted, this time from a deflection by Steve Campbell off a drag flick from Matthew Huf.
The match seemed in the bag, but Waverley wouldn’t lay down. A screamer of a goal against the flow of play gave them a sniff, and suddenly Altona found themselves on the back foot and under immense pressure. The composure showed by the A’s defence, led by veteran full back Mathew Higgins, and ably assisted by young guns Andrew Scanlon and Chris Coleman, kept out Waverley’s attempts at coming back into the match. A long ball into the forward line found Priddle, who took on the Waverley keeper, slotting a sensational goal, to seal the victory at 4-1.
Coach Ben Guy was ecstatic after the match, saying “We love winning, but the way we did it was most pleasing. We played exactly to the game plan, the experienced guys led from the front, and the defensive side of the game from everyone was nearly perfect. We need to build on this and take a few more scalps in the second half of the season.”
Altona 4 defeated Waverley 1
Goals: Chris Coleman 2, Steve Campbell 1, Tyson Priddle 1
Altona’s Womens Premier League side has had a tough season, with only one win recorded thus far. While the ladder paints a bleak picture, the side has been competitive in most matches but has struggled to close out matches they have had a chance to win. Saturday’s match against Waverley was another in this category.
Altona was good early, with Hockeyroo Danielle Schubach troubling the Waverley midfield with her pace and skill. A couple of dubious umpiring decisions unsettled the Altona defence, and suddenly a Waverley midfielder ran 25 yards without challenge, setting up an easy goal against the flow of play, to take a 1-0 lead.
The goal seemed to spur Altona into action. Schubach continued to dominate, and was supported by midfielder Tegan Purser, playing her first game back from a shoulder reconstruction. Her skills and pace were fantastic, and she was providing the Altona strikers, Steph Sarantis, Phoebe Rothfield and Jessica Brennan with plenty of opportunities.
Altona had plenty of chances throughout the match, and controlled play for 90 per cent of the game, but were unable to convert. Waverley went on to win 1-0 in another heart-breaking result for the A’s girls.
Coach Marc Richardson was devastated after the match “To control a match like that and create countless chances is pleasing, but to not get reward for our efforts is disappointing. It is definitely not an effort issue, as the girls gave everything today. We will work on our conversion and our composure in front of net. More wins will come, as the talent is there, and the work rate is there.”
Altona 0 lost to Waverley 1
Both sides play away again next Sunday, against MCC at Melbourne High School.