Sydenham Park sparkled under the Friday night lights to record a 2-0 win over Hoppers Crossing in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 at Keilor Lodge Reserve.
Chris Davies scored twice for the Reds – a goal in each half – to secure maximum points.
Reds coach John Markovski said the match was played on his side’s terms throughout.
“I think we dominated the whole 90 minutes, which was good to see,” he said.
“The boys were all on song, they played some good football and had a lot of possession.
“Our goalkeeper had to make a couple of saves as well, and did his job. But generally, we were dominant and I was really happy with the way the boys played.”
Davies was the talk of Sydenham Park after his two goals.
He put the Reds in front after 29 minutes, but would leave it until the 90th minute to slam the door shut on Hoppers Crossing.
Davies was all smiles after the game.
“Chris is always happy when he scores, as every striker is,” said Markovski, a prolific goalscorer in his own hey day.
“He’s starting to hit the scoresheet, so hopefully it continues. He’s quality, he works hard and he shoots at any point he can. He’s mobile and covers a bit of ground to try and win the ball back for us.”
Michael Boyar impressed in his Sydenham Park debut.
Boyar, brought in from North Geelong Warriors during the transfer window, had an immediate impact.
“He’s a very strong midfielder, box to box,” Markovski said. “He set up the first goal with a great cross.
“He ran himself into the ground and did well for his first game.”
Markovski was keen to point out his delight in each and every player that pulled on a Sydenham Park shirt in the victory.
There were no weak links in the team.
“It started from the ’keeper all the way through,” he said.
“Our back four, our midfielders all played well – I think it was a really good performance all the way though. Even the guys that came off the bench did their job.”
The victory follows some inconsistent recent form, so Sydenham Park will be keen to go on a winning run.
The third-placed Reds have a chance to do so, with their next four games all at home, including a battle with Banyule City this Saturday.
Markovski, though, is not looking too far ahead.
“I’m just concentrating on the next one at the moment,” he said. “We’ll work on our plans for this week and try to get the three points and then work on the next game the week after.”
Elsewhere in state league 1, Joe Sweeney took charge of Western Suburbs for the first time in a 2-1 loss to Geelong at Ralph Reserve on Sunday. Keilor Park also went down, losing 3-2 to Altona City on Saturday night, while Ajak Panek scored in North Sunshine’s 1-0 win over Essendon Royals.
In National Premier League, Green Gully led at half-time, but wound up losing 3-2 to Dandenong Thunder.
Melbourne Knights never led in a 3-2 loss to Hume City.
In National Premier League 2 west, Sunshine George Cross was beaten 3-1 by title favourite Altona Magic.
St Albans Saints managed to snare a 2-1 win over Ballarat City on the back of a double from Rodrigo Covarrubias.
In women’s state league 3, Natasha Razov fired in four goals as St Albans Saints thrashed Melbourne University 7-3.
