Cairnlea is making a run towards a top-two finish in the State League 1 soccer competition.
After 15 matches, the club is second on the table with a 7-6-2 record.
Following the club’s promotion last year, Cairnlea coach Kruni Razov thought its players may have taken a bit more time to settle in.
But after an ultra-impressive start, Razov is delighted with the way his team has taken up the challenge.
“I’m happy and the club is happy with how we’re going,” he said.
“There’s a lot of young players in that squad, probably only two or three who have even played at this level. It was always going to be about survival and, if possible, finishing as high as we can on the ladder. The boys have taken it on really well.”
What makes Cairnlea’s climb up the ladder even more impressive is that the Reds didn’t have a full preseason under Razov, who took over just five weeks before round one.
Because of the late change, the Reds were expecting their best form to come later in the season.
It appears to have arrived early with the club having won its past four games.
“It was always going to take a bit of time for the players to understand the way I want to play and the way I want to do things,” Razov said.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries early in the season.
‘‘From the last few wins, it’s the first time for the season I could say we have had a settled squad. Everyone is back in play and they understand what I want … it’s going well.”
One team standing in the way of Cairnlea moving further up the ladder is top-of-the-table Preston Lions.
After being winless five games into the season the Lions have roared back up the ladder, dropping just four points from their past 10 games.
The stretch included a 4-2 win against Cairnlea.
With his squad enjoying a similar run of form, Razov is confident that the next meeting between the two sides, in round 17, will be a closer contest.
“The scoreline doesn’t really reflect that first game,” he said.
“I think it should have been a bit more in our favour, if anything. It would have been great to have at least taken a draw from that.
“They are going to come to our ground next time we play. I know they have picked up some experienced players, but I think we will be a lot better for it this time around.”
In other State League 1 results, Westgate secured an important three points against Keilor Park, winning 1-0.
With both teams going into the match locked on 20 points, a 68th minute goal to Vasilios Sianidis handed Westgate the advantage.
While Keilor Park pressed hard, the home side was able to hold on for the win. Westgate moved into sixth spot on the table, while Keilor Park is eighth.
Sydenham Park remains within striking distance of the competition’s top sides after a 3-1 win against Altona Magic.
Fourth-placed Sydenham is five points behind Preston Lions.
