Keilor Park had to show tremendous character to escape with a 3-2 win over Altona East Phoenix in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 north-west at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Eagles went down to 10 men after captain Joel Nikolic received a second yellow card for raising his arm in an aerial contest, leaving his side susceptible to a late raid from the Phoenix.
Eagles president Paul Portelli described it as “backs-to-the-wall stuff”.
“They were bombarding our goals, but our defence stood tall under the extreme pressure,” he said.
Up to that point, Keilor Park had the game in control on the scoreboard even if things were fairly even in general play.
Nikolic was the difference between the two sides before his red card, scoring from the penalty spot to open the Eagles’ account and then doubling the lead with a header. The penalty shout was fortuitous, awarded after a Phoenix player got his arm in the way of a Liam Brian shot.
But that was good from a neutral perspective, as a game that had little goal-mouth action in the first half suddenly came to life with five goals in the second half.
The Phoenix never had the lead, despite goals from Tristan Romein and Joel Bistricki – the reason being a Keilor Park insurance goal by super sub Supreet Sangha for a 3-1 lead.
Sangha, a recruit from Eltham, looked lively from the moment he came on.
“He made a great run down the right for the goal, taking on three players and calmly slotting it away,” Portelli said.
Keilor Park’s trip to Preston Lions on Sunday will be much tougher, with Nikolic to face suspension and Aaron Ward unlikely to take his place after sustaining concussion in the first half of the win over the Phoenix.
Western Suburbs rolled Westgate for the second time in a month. Suburbs backed up from their FFA Cup triumph over Westgate with a 3-1 win at Castley Reserve on Saturday.
North Sunshine Eagles were beaten 3-0 by title favourite Altona Magic, while Sydenham Park broke down defensively in a 5-3 loss to Essendon Royals.
In NPL, Green Gully made a stunning late comeback to earn an unlikely 4-4 draw with South Melbourne at Green Gully Reserve.
The Cavaliers came from three goals down after a brace to Jay Davies and a goal each to Sami Nour and Nick Krousoratis.
St Albans Saints celebrated their first win of the season, downing Oakleigh Cannons 1-0 at Churchill Reserve after a late goal to Matthew Cundari. Michael Grgic was man of the match for the Saints in his 100th game for the club.
Melbourne Knights went down 3-0 to Avondale in a clash of the Knights Stadium co-tenants on Friday night.
Lance Jenkinson
