The doom and gloom that engulfed North Sunshine Eagles for 45 minutes lifted in the second half as they powered to a 3-1 win over Yarraville Glory in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 at McIvor Reserve on Saturday.
Eagles player-coach Ben Isai was none too pleased with his side’s first half as it went to break a goal in arrears.
He implored his players to fight for their season and they responded with three unanswered goals in the second half.
The comeback win was engineered by hat-trick hero Diellon Memishi.
“I said at half-time, ‘Boys, the season is on the line right here’,” Isai said. “We already have a lot of ground to make up on the [first-placed] Altona Magic, so we needed to come here and get a win to put pressure on everyone. They needed to lift in certain areas and they did.”
Memishi is regarded as one of North Sunshine’s premier set-up men, but he turned from provider to scorer against the Glory.
“Sometimes it’s not about him creating the chances – it’s about him getting on the end of them to finish,” Isai said. “He scored two of his goals from being in the right spot. The work he did to get to them was perfect.”
Nicky Cullen was also a standout for North Sunshine. He was unstoppable when moved to the wing and set up one of Memishi’s goals.
North Sunshine was one of a number of beneficiaries as top side Altona Magic lost to Banyule City. The Eagles moved up to fourth and edged to within six points of the Magic, breathing fresh life into their title hopes.
North Sunshine has a danger game against an improving Westgate at Larissa Reserve on Saturday. Westgate was beaten 5-4 by Sydenham Park in a nine-goal thriller at Castley Reserve.
Western Suburbs took the spoils over Keilor Park in a 3-1 win at Ralph Reserve on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Cairnlea and Westvale could not be split in a state league 2 local stoush, drawing 0-0 at Cairnlea Park.
Brimbank Stallions have charged into first place in state league 3 after downing La Trobe University 2-0 at Club Italia Sporting Club.
Western Eagles solidified their place in the middle rungs on the state league 4 ladder after a 3-2 win over Truganina Hornets.
Balmoral missed its opportunity to move into fourth, losing 2-0 to Point Cook.
Spring Hills is up to third in state league 5 after a 3-1 victory over Maribyrnong Greens.
Keilor Wolves had an entertaining 3-3 draw with Melbourne Lions at Green Gully Reserve.
