All Whites clip feathers of Eagles
BELL Park caused the upset of the season, outclassing and outgunning the previously undefeated Western Eagles to come away from the bruising State League 4 home clash with a 4-2 win.
The triumph further cemented what is common knowledge in State 4 circles, that on their day the All Whites are capable of beating any team in the competition.
Saturday was clearly Bell Park’s day as the home side shot out of the blocks from the opening whistle and launched a major assault.
The All Whites opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Andrew Longo before Bailey Pilgrim doubled the lead in the 14th minute.
The Eagles pulled one back a minute later through Robert Chelchowski but Daniel Conte restored the two-goal buffer with Bell Park’s third on 20 minutes.
Not to be outdone, prolific Western Eagles striker Matthew Lodkowski netted his 29th goal of the season in the 34th minute to put the icing on the cake of an entertaining opening half.
Nevertheless, Bell Park’s Dominic Versace secured the sealer on 58 minutes to put the result beyond doubt and give the All Whites a fighting chance of securing a promotional playoff berth.
After the game, an elated Bell Park coach Ivan Biscan praised his team’s sublime performance.
“It was a greatly contested game of quality football,” an ecstatic Biscan said.
“Western Eagles showed why they have been previously undefeated but our players showed a true desire and passion to win this game today.
“We controlled many aspects of what was a heated contest, but in the end we deservedly took all three points.
“Adam Milenkovski impressed, shutting out their main gamescorer, while Dom Versace and Andrew Palmieri both had total control of the midfield.
“Add to that, Andrew Longo and Daniel Conte, who worked tirelessly all game.
“It was an excellent effort all round.”
With not one of the four teams above it on the ladder managing to record a win on the weekend, fifth-placed Bell Park has reduced the gap to second-placed Truganina Hornets to just five points.
Ironically, the Hornets are the All Whites’ next opponents.