Magic moment gives Warriors 2-1 victory
NORTH Geelong has exceeded internal expectations, reaching top of the NPL2 ladder after four rounds following a sensational 2-1 victory over the highly fancied Altona Magic.
There was a sense of rejuvenation for the club and their fans after enduring a tumultuous NPL1 season last year to emerge this season as a serious promotion threat.
The young Warriors survived some frantic final moments and a surging Magic to hold on in their first home game of the season at Elcho Park.
The Warriors were switched on from the outset, creating multiple opportunities on the left side through Darius Madison, Michael Anderson and emerging left back Nicholas Teichmann.
But it was their disciplined defence that created the platform for their attack, led by centre backs Andreas Miltiadou and Anthony Banovac.
Skipper Anderson capitalised on a sharp pass inside the box to poke home the first goal on the half-hour mark, rewarding the Warriors’ polished first half.
The second half saw the Magic reduced to 10 men when Warriors’ midfielder Michael Boyar was slapped across the face during a scuffle, giving the Warriors a major advantage in searing heat.
The second goal eventually came late in the second half when substitute Thomas Hidic made a brilliant run waltzing past the Magic defence and finishing confidently in what seemed the sealer at the time.
The 10-man Altona Magic lifted the intensity in the dying stages, scoring a classy free kick through Troy Ruthven, but it wasn’t enough, with Warriors’ keeper Hamish Flavell remaining composed in the final seconds as the Magic searched for an equaliser.
An ecstatic and relieved Warriors coach Luciano Trani was proud of his young side’s efforts post-match.
“We wanted a 90-minute performance ... and on the majority of the cases during the afternoon we were there,” Trani said.
“We are a team that are going to make mistakes along the way, but that’s not going to be a major problem, we are just going to understand how we can make things better.
“Sometimes when you’re young, you probably don’t even know if there’s any fear.”
Captain Anderson says the commitment and character of the players was the reason for their early success.
“Credit to the committee and the club for the players they have brought in. Everyone’s got the character and wants to play and perform at the highest (level) they can,” he said.