After a shock loss to Southern United last week, Altona was keen to atone at home, against lowly placed side Mentone. In a scrappy game, marred by a flash downpour in the first half, Altona managed to hold on to a 2-1 win, in front of a relieved home crowd at JK Grant Reserve.
Altona got off to a good start, with experienced defender, Mathew Higgins, back from injury, controlling the side and adding much needed structure to the side. He was ably supported by defenders Daniel O’Loughlin and Jake Macvean. Mentone were flooding back into Altona’s circle, and relying on counter attack to penetrate Altona’s defence, but Higgins and his defence were successful in repelling their attempts.
Tyson Priddle, Harry Dolenc and Chris Coleman were controlling the centre half position, and providing the Altona attack with ample opportunities. It was one of these attacking thrusts that set up silky skilled striker Jesse Gatt for a cracking strike into the back of the net for Altona’s first goal, early in the first half.
Goalkeeper Ben Oborne continued his good form in the net, and repelled several Mentone shots. Unfortunately an error in the circle saw a penalty corner awarded to the Panthers, which they duly converted to level the scores at 1-1.
Altona kept moving the ball forward with intent. Gatt, along with striker Mick Gallo and midfielder Ben Burris, were providing a headache for the Mentone defence with their quick ball movement. A couple of near misses had the Altona coaches pulling their hair out, but persistence paid off with a penalty corner earn. Young gun, Harry Dolenc, recently back from competing in the National U/21 Championships, slotted a drag flick into the net to take a 2-1 half time lead.
The second half was scoreless, with Oborne brilliant keeping out several Mentone chances, while at the other end, Altona was unlucky not to go further ahead, but a couple of penalty corner flicks were saved or went wide.
Tyson Priddle made several saves, one on the goal line from a penalty corner, and a match saving tackle with just seconds on the clock, as Mentone made one more attempt to penetrate Altona’s defence.
Coach Ben Guy was relieved after the match “it was great to get three points after some very disappointing results of late. Holding on to that lead for an entire half was pleasing, and showed the boys have learnt from some near misses lately. We can’t dwell on what could’ve been in those matches, and must look forward to securing more points in the coming matches.”
Altona next play Toorak-East Malvern away on Saturday 25th May at 3:30pm.
Altona 2 defeated Mentone 1
Goals: Jesse Gatt, Harry Dolenc
Best: Mathew Higgins, Tyson Priddle, Ben Oborne, Harry Dolenc, Jesse Gatt
Altona’s eleventh placed womens side faced a daunting task on Saturday, with Mentone topping the Womens Premier League ladder. After pushing them in a close loss at Altona last year, the Seagulls went in with some confidence, and managed to hold them scoreless for much of the first half. Unfortunately, the flood gates opened, and Altona lost 0-3 to a very slick Mentone outfit. Goalkeeper Taylah Brennan continued her stellar form, and if it wasn’t for several brilliant saves, the score could have been much worse. Hockeyroo Danielle Schubach was again in Altona’s best, but the young Seagulls side was just outclassed by an experienced Mentone team, hardened by a couple of finals campaigns in recent seasons.
Altona 0 lost to Mentone 3
Best: Taylah Brennan, Danielle Schubach
Altona play Toorak-East Malvern away at 2pm on Saturday 25th May. This looms as a crucial match, with TEM sitting in 10th spot on the ladder, ahead only on goal difference.