State League 3 North-West: Moreland United goes from relegation to promotion in a year

A SIX-MATCH unbeaten run lifted Moreland United to promotion from State League 3 North-West, capping a miraculous turnaround under coach Leo Malik.

Soccer: Moreland United v Essendon United. Moreland United coach Leo Malik. Picture: Josie Hayden

A SIX-MATCH unbeaten run lifted Moreland United to promotion from State League 3 North-West, capping a miraculous turnaround under coach Leo Malik.

A year after it was relegated from State League 2 North-West at the end of a forgettable 2017 campaign, United finished second behind Epping City.

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The Fawkner club’s promotion hopes were under threat when it was hammered 4-0 by Epping City in Round 16, but it responded by winning five of its last six games.

While Epping City was a runaway champion, Moreland United spent the second half of the campaign vying with FC Strathmore, Sebastopol Vikings, Sunbury United and Williamstown for second.

“I said to the boys, ‘at no stage, think that we are not going to get promoted, because until the season is over, anything can happen’,” Malik said.

“There was one point separating each team from second to sixth or seventh. The players were fantastic.”

Moreland United has enjoyed a steep rise under coach Leo Malik. Picture: Josie Hayden

Malik took over midway through last season and while his “revolution” took time to come to fruition, he could not be prouder of the improvement shown by his team.

“We came in with a different mentality to what the club were used to,” he said.

“When there’s a bit of a revolution anywhere in life, it takes a bit of time to get things right.”

He acknowledged the heavy defeat to Epping City had been a pivotal moment in the campaign, leaving United with no margin for error.

“After a loss like that, things can go north or south,” he said.

“Lucky enough for us, they went north. I always told the boys, never take your losses as frustration or disappointment, always take it as a learning path.”

The club produced a 4-0 victory over Heidelberg Stars and 3-0 win against La Trobe Uni in its next two games, fuelling its charge toward a top-two finish.

Malik said Moreland United would return to State League 2 North-West confident of its prospects.

“I think the club should keep building. I think we have got a big chance to fight for promotion again,” he said.

“Why not? That’s every team at the start of the season.”

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