Spring Hills will use this weekend’s break to recharge ahead of the second half of the FFV state league 4 west season.
The Stallions enter the Queen’s Birthday break sitting fifth with a 4-3-2 record and have been competitive in every game.
Stallions team manager Joe Febbraio said overall, the season was going reasonably well.
“The bye has come at a good time to assess where we are half-way through the season,” he said. “We’ve got some new players who have come into the club and are starting to gel.
“It is a tough competition, having moved up a league.
“We are under no illusions, every game is a challenge for us, but we are going into every game knowing our best can match it with everyone else.”
On Saturday they defeated second-placed Truganina Hornets 2-0. Pasquale Carbone and Dylan Magro scored the goals.
The past two weeks have given the Stallions an indication of where they sit as they have played the top two teams.
The previous round they lost 4-1 to ladder-leaders Western Eagles.
Febbraio said the result didn’t reflect the match as the Eagles hit the scoreboard late to break away.
The break will give the Stallions’ playing group a rest and several injured players are set to return in the coming weeks.
Febbraio said skipper Josip Loncaric and goalkeeper Edin Sahnic were leading the way this season and their defence was the key to the team’s success.
“The game against Western Eagles was the first time we had conceded more than two goals,” he said. “We were missing a couple of defenders.
“At that stage we had the tightest defence in the competition.”
Febbraio said one aim for the second half of the season was to increase their scoring.
Like last season, they have struggled to get the ball in the net early on. Last season they turned it around and finished second in state league 5 west and earned promotion.
“The team as a whole is working very hard and we’re quite happy with the approach and style,” Febbraio said.
“We’re implementing things we’ve been working on for a number of months.
“Whilst we’re happy overall, we know we’re not scoring enough.
“We’re creating chances, but we don’t put enough away.”
In state league 5 west, ladder-leaders Westside Strikers had a 2-0 win against Maidstone United. Melton Phoenix had a tough day, losing to Deakin Ducks 5-0.
