Koce Delev pounced with 10 minutes remaining to give Sydenham Park a winning start to the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1 season.
The captain’s goal was enough to see the Reds past a determined and enthusiastic newly promoted Hoppers Crossing in a 1-0 victory on the road at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
Reds coach John Markovski was delighted to come away from the season opening clash with a first-up victory.
“First game, got the three points, so we’re really happy,” he said. “Thrilled for the boys and the club. It was a good start.”
There was relief for Sydenham Park when Delev scored. Delev anticipated a ball around the six-yard box and fired it home.
The Reds had pressed forward without luck for most of the second half, but finally got some reward.
“We had many chances before that and then, after that, even more,” Markovski said.
“They dropped their heads a bit, so our guys took full advantage of that.”
Hoppers Crossing gave as good as it received and was keen to impress in its home opener.
“They’re playing at home and they were all buzzing at the start,” Markovski said. “Full credit to our guys to not concede.”
Sydenham Park will turn its attention to the FFA Cup and a fourth-round meeting with Ringwood City at Keilor Lodge Reserve on Saturday.
In a fourth-round game already played, North Sunshine Eagles comfortably accounted for Dingley Stars in a 3-0 win after goals to Jeton Demiri, Ryan Dragovic and Deang Aguek.
Also in the fourth round, Melbourne Knights will host Altona Magic at Knights Stadium on Thursday from 7.30pm.
On Saturday, Cairnlea will square off with Springvale White Eagles on neutral territory at McIvor Reserve, Sunshine George Cross will travels to Mill Park, St Albans Saints will host St Kilda, Western Suburbs will be away to Whittlesea United and Green Gully will face Moreland City on neutral ground at Broadmeadows Valley Park.
In other state league 1 results, Western Suburbs earned a share of the points away to Geelong, but Keilor Park went down 2-0 to Altona City.
In state league 2, Westgate trounced Diamond Valley United 7-0, while there were wins for Brimbank Stallions, 3-2 over Mill Park, and Cairnlea, 1-0 over Hume United.
Westvale was on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline away to Altona East Phoenix.
In state league 4, a Matt Lodkowski hat-trick guided Western Eagles to a 3-0 win over Golden Plains, while Spring Hills and Balmoral played out a 2-2 draw.
Keilor Wolves had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Barwon in state league 5.
In the NPL, Green Gully made it three successive wins with a 2-1 victory over Oakleigh Cannons at home on Friday night.
Nick Krousoratis and Kieran Dover scored for Gully.
Melbourne Knights took the lead through Brody Taylor, but ended up losing 2-1 to Bentleigh Greens away the same night.
In NPL 2, a 10-man St Albans Saints had a stirring 3-2 win away to North Geelong Warriors, while Sunshine George Cross sunk to a 3-0 loss on its visit to Werribee City.
