By Lance Jenkinson
A moment of brilliance from Davut Tahir has seen Albion Rovers gleefully take their turn in the game of musical chairs at the top of the Football Victoria men’s state league 2 north-west ladder.
With the Rovers and Epping City so closely matched at Cairnlea Park on Saturday, the game was crying out for an extra effort to settle the score.
Tahir stepped up to seal a 2-1 win for a sublime finish.
With 15 minutes left in the match, Tahir broke the stern resistance of what had been a fairly sturdy Epping City backline.
“Davut’s goal was very classy, very skilful and that’s what it was going to take to win that game,” Rovers coach Kevin Theuma said.
“He brought the ball down on his chest just outside the box, did a bit of a fake, turned the defender inside out and had a shot.”
Albion is top of the league for the second time in three weeks.
In an incredibly tight race, the Rovers are one of six teams who have occupied top spot in the first nine rounds.
That is why it was so important for the Rovers not to settle for a share of the points, which both coaches probably would have been content with on the balance of play.
“It wasn’t a pretty game, but I’m more than happy to win ugly to be honest,” Theuma said.
“Points in the bank are better than points you are chasing, especially with the closeness of this season.
“We were fourth on the ladder and now we’re first after the results.
“It was a solid gutsy win from the boys because that game could’ve gone either way.”
Albion’s first goal was a scrappy one scored by Nathan Long.
The victory is not the only good news for the Rovers lately. Striker Adamson Ajayi’s return in the transfer window has excited the fans.
Ajayi, a livewire on the front line, returns from a stint in the NPL with Altona Magic.
“The boys on the committee rang me up on Wednesday night and said ‘AJ’ has made contact with us and is keen to return home to the club and are you interested,” Theuma said.
“I said, ‘are you serious?’, don’t even ask the question, just get it done.”
The attack has also been bolstered by the return from injury of striker Habib Fleifel.
The Rovers will defend top spot when they travel to Geelong Rangers on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Western Suburbs got the better of Westgate in a 2-0 upset. Philip Ajao and Mori Tsuchiya got on the scoresheet for Suburbs.
In state league 1, Sydenham Park claimed second spot after a 1-0 win over Altona City.
Ryan Newman scored the game’s only goal in the first half for the Reds.
North Sunshine Eagles and Yarraville played out a breathtaking 2-2 draw, while Brimbank Stallions succumbed to Banyule City 2-1 and Keilor Park took a 4-1 drubbing from ladder leader Preston Lions.
