FETA Memishi delivered the one-two blow for North Sunshine Eagles in a “vital” 2-0 win over Hume United on the road at Laura Douglas Reserve in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 north-west on Saturday.
The makeshift striker usually has the freedom to run and pass in the centre of midfield, but was recently thrust into a forward role due to a persistent groin injury that has confined last season’s leading scorer Gazmend Ajdini to the sidelines.
Memishi relished the chance to set up camp closer to goal, using his lethal finishing to score the match-winning double with the game’s only goals coming midway through the first and second halves.
“He’s taken it by the horns,” Eagles playing president Besnik Kutleshi said of Memishi’s transition into the striking role.
“He’s the engine of the team, he’s a clinical finisher and his work ethic is like having two players in one.
“He just doesn’t stop working.”
The Eagles can only get better in the coming weeks.
Along with Ajdini, chief playmaker Ricky Castro is also on the mend from injury.
But Kutleshi has been surprised by his side’s ability to cover the losses of key personnel.
He said the blooding of a handful of new players at the start of the campaign was now paying dividends.
“It’s taken time for us to gel but it’s good to see we’ve now got a lot of depth.
“Our depth is pulling us through.”
Wins away to Hume United are traditionally tough to come by for visiting teams. You know you have earned your three points when you sing the club song at the King Street ground.
Kutleshi says it was an “awesome feeling” to extract all three points from such a difficult road trip.
“This was a vital win for us. We’re aiming for a top-four finish and it still keeps us in the hunt.”
Aside from the Memishi goals, the Eagles had a host of contributors leading up to the goals and ensuring they kept a clean sheet.
The cousin of the goalscorer, Sadush Memishi, blitzed with his pace on the wing, Nick Cullen utilised his strength to be an handful on the front line and Yanco Castro controlled the tempo of play in the defensive midfield role.
The Eagles are coached by Bash Alimi and assisted by Arben Isai, the former captain who is recovering from a knee reconstruction.
Meanwhile, boxer Ibrahim Balla, a close friend of the Eagles, will be representing Australia at the London Olympics.
Balla often trains with the team and allows the Eagles access to his dad’s professional gym in pre-season. Kutleshi says the Eagles players will all be glued to their television sets during the Olympics in the hope of seeing their mate achieve greatness.
SCORES
SL2: Preston Lions 2 Westgate 2, Altona East Phoenix 2 Keilor Park 1
SL3: Hume United 0 North Sunshine Eagles 2; Avondale Heights 2 Cairnlea 0; Sporting Whittlesea 2 Sydenham Park 3
PL1: Northern Falcons 2 Maribyrnong Greens 2; Essendon United 0 Westvale 1
PL2: West Preston 3 Western Eagles 4
PL3: Brimbank Stallions 1 Heidelberg Stars 2
