By Lance Jenkinson
Keilor Park failed a set piece inquisition in a 2-0 loss to Preston Lions in a Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 blockbuster at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Eagles were unlocked on two occasions by goals directly from corner situations, the first a sweetly placed rising header and the sealer coming from a goalmouth scramble.
For the in-form Eagles and club president Paul Portelli, it was a disappointing way to see their three-game winning streak come to an end.
“They had too much tall timber and we just couldn’t handle it,” Portelli said.
“They got a great header for the first goal where he got in front of our defender and headed it in.
“The second one, we had a couple of chances to clear it, but the ball just ricocheted around and they put it away.
“It was a little bit disappointing to concede twice from set pieces.”
The game had the quality expected from a second-versus-third clash.
Keilor Park, superbly led by hard-working midfielder David Prosia, had the better of the early chances, but failed to cash in.
Once Preston settled, the game was played mainly on its terms, though Keilor Park defender Michele-Emmanuele Crazia was often a road block who did not allow Preston a goal from open play.
“They’re a really good side and we battled away, but they were just too good for us in the end,” Portelli said.
“We had a couple of half chances early in the game and if we got the early goal, it would’ve put a bit of pressure on them. At the end of the day, I think they were the better side.”
Keilor Park’s promotion hopes have suffered a major blow.
The Eagles are six points behind ladder leader Geelong with five rounds remaining.
In a topsy-turvy season full of surprises, Portelli is not ruling out his side just yet.
“We’re still there, we’re still battling and hopefully a couple of results go our way and we might get back up there again,” he said.
But Portelli knows that Keilor Park must return from Sydenham Park on Friday night with all three points if it wants to make a late run.
The Eagles will have to buck the trend, though, because Sydenham’s home ground, Keilor Lodge Reserve, has not been a happy hunting ground for them in recent years.
“We’ve got to break a hoodoo down there because we haven’t won a game there for a while,” Portelli said.
“We’ve got to get it done because every game from now on end is like a grand final.”
Elsewhere in men’s state league 1, North Sunshine Eagles got the better of Sydenham Park in a 2-0 victory. Nick Epifano and Robert Zadworny were the Eagles’ scorers.
Western Suburbs was sucked deeper into the relegation zone with a 4-0 loss to FC Clifton Hill.
Brimbank Stallions ended the weekend on top of men’s state league 2 after a 1-1 draw with Corio. Cairnlea moved to within three points of the top with a 3-1 win over Geelong Rangers, while Westgate missed its chance to go equal top after losing 3-1 to Fitzroy City.
Western Eagles are the team to beat in men’s state league 4.
The Eagles are a whopping eight points clear on top after a 5-0 mauling of Balmoral.
Robert Chelchowski and Mateusz Kowalski fired in doubles for the Eagles.
Spring Hills is just three points outside the promotion places after a 5-1 trouncing of Surf Coast.
In women’s state league 1, Keilor Park had no joy in a 4-0 loss to Melbourne University.
St Albans beat Point Cook 3-1 in women’s state league 3.
The Saints remain three points clear in second spot.
