By Lance Jenkinson
Western Eagles could not rediscover the magic that saw them earn promotion and become champions of the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 west conference this season.
Taking on north conference title winners Lalor United in inter-league semi-final play, the Eagles were ousted in a 3-2 loss after a half-baked performance at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
There is no way you can sour the Eagles season after what they achieved in swooping on the west league promotion and championship double, but they have missed out on a lathering of icing on the cake by being eliminated at the semi-final stage of the battle between the four conference champions that will determine the best overall state league 4 team in 2018.
Eagles coach Patrick Mangion was extremely disappointed with his side’s first half showing.
The Eagles were in dire straits, trailing by three goals at half-time.
“They wanted it more, clearly,” Mangion said.
“They played better in the first half and we let them play.
“We were asleep and they took their chances well.”
Mangion could not put his finger on why the Western Eagles started so slowly.
He said the build up to the game was good and nothing was different in the preparation.
“Unfortunately when they went on the pitch, for some reason it wasn’t working,” Mangion said.
Mangion said the Western Eagles were better than what they served up in the first-half shocker.
He implored his players to dig deep and give it a red hot crack in the second half.
“To just play like we usually do,” he said.
“Go out there and show initiative and a bit of hunger.
“Show that you want to play because unfortunately some of them weren’t into the game in the first half.”
Matt Kowalski brought the Western Eagles to life with two goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
Both of Kowalski’s goals came from outside the box with long-range shots.
The Eagles had all the momentum and seemed odds on for a third goal when Lalor United had a player sent off.
Even with all the peppering of shots on Lalor’s goal, the Eagles could not find an equaling goal.
“It was total pressure on them,” Mangion said. “In the end, they defended well.
“We just couldn’t find a third one unfortunately.
“At least the second half we showed more of what we were capable of.”
