Big boost for Dark Blues
4-1 win lifts Lara United from bottom spot
LARA UNITED bounced back from an early setback to record a stunning 4-1 victory over Melton — its first in the State League 5 competition this year — at the Lara Recreation Reserve on a blustery Saturday afternoon.
It was the ideal boost the Dark Blues needed after going into the game firmly ensconced at the foot of the 13 team league table, while Mel- ton found itself in seventh spot following a win and a loss from its opening two fixtures.
Things looked bleak for the home side after conceding an early goal in the 10th minute, following a free kick which evaded the Lara defence and found itself unexpectedly in the back of the net.
Nonetheless, the home side managed to turn it around over the course of the ensuing 10 minutes, with Kristian Edwards equalising with a cracking volley on 15 minutes and Luke Wilson making it 2-1 from a free kick just five minutes later.
Peter Volpe gave the Dark Blues some breathing space in the 60th minute, scoring Lara’s third goal with a low shot to the bottom corner while re- turning sharpshooter Damian Nasta applied the icing to the cake in the 80th minute by robbing a Melton defender and neatly placing the ball past the stranded keeper.
After the game, a relieved Lara coach Lindsay Falzon began by saying it was a well deserved win for his troops.
“After two heavy defeats against two teams who are of a high standard, we had to have a positive outcome today,” he explained.
“It started off poorly with an extremely unlucky goal and immediately we had one disallowed. I thought it wasn’t going to be our day but once Kristian scored a spectacular goal and Luke followed soon afterwards with a great free kick we really didn’t look back.
“The second half we played even better and deserved more. It was vital that we walked off with all three points and I hope we can move forward from here.”
As a result of the three points, Lara moves off the bottom of the ladder into 8th spot, one position higher than cross town rivals Barwon SC.
Next week, Lara travels to Maribyrnong Reserve to take on Melbourne City, which has also suffered from an indifferent start to the season.