Tara Murray
Westvale Olympic is learning plenty from the FV state league 2 north-west season.
Having dominated the state league 3 north-west season last year, Westvale has had a solid first eight weeks in the higher division.
Westvale has managed to come away with some points from all but one of their matches.
Coach Bill Georgopoulos said the performances so far had been a good starting point.
“We are happy,” he said. “We haven’t won the last four games with a loss and three draws,” he said.
“For me overall, we’re doing really well for a young team and on a low budget.”
Georgopoulos. said the one difference for the side this season in turning those draws into wins, was experience.
He said with a young side they were still learning how to handle those situations.
“We’re doing really well, but we’re not closing out games,” he said.
“We were leading 2-0 with 25 minutes to go and blew the lead. It was that experience.
“The only way to get that experience is to play.
“They’re learning from their mistakes and if they find themselves in the same situation, 2-0 up, hopefully next time we get the three points.”
Georgopoulos said they were already looking ahead to next season with the aim of adding a couple of older heads to compliment their playing group.
Georgopoulos said for the side this season the aim was to get to the 22 point mark to make sure that they consolidate their spot in the division.
The side had 13 points after eight rounds and was in fifth spot.
“For us we want to consolidate our spot,” he said. “We’re in some good form and we’re getting a good feel for the league.
“We’re not too far away from the top teams. We have a lot of young kids and are spending really low money compared to some of the other teams.”
Westvale was set for a big test on the weekend, facing top side Clifton Hill on Saturday afternoon, after deadline.
Clifton Hill won the match, 1-0.
Clifton Hill had seven wins from eight games heading into the match, with Georgopoulos. saying the club was one that had put a lot of resources into this season.
Off field, the club is in discussions with Brimbank council about making changes to their second pitch.
He said they were also hoping to have new club rooms in the next five years. The club has also gone from one junior team to three this season.
“The last 24 months we’ve come a long way.”
