Darcy Anastovski’s brilliant goal lifts Altona Magic to second straight NPL Victoria win
A second straight win has seen Altona Magic jump up the NPL Victoria ladder as a brilliant goal left competition heavyweight Melbourne Knights stunned.
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If not for Manningham United’s shock win over Avondale, Altona Magic’s 1-0 win over Melbourne Knights would certainly be in the running for upset of the season.
A stunning Darcy Anastovski volley in the 75th minute proved the match-winner in front of a jubilant Paisley Park crowd.
It’s the Magic’s second win in a row and sees the club climb to ninth on the NPL Victoria ladder, just a point behind Knights.
It’s also Altona’s second straight win over the pre-season premiership fancy, following a 3-2 victory in Round 19 last season.
Magic coach Goran Lozanovski said the squad’s belief had been building up to Saturday’s night’s performance.
“Every game is important but with the club’s situation, beating a team like Melbourne Knights is richly rewarding,” he said.
“It’s put us in a good position with back-to-back wins and everyone is buzzing at the football club.
“I’ve been saying it for weeks now, we’ve been unfortunate with a couple of games and should have had a few more points than we have.
“It’s been building slowly but I think the belief is starting to get there.”
After just one win – a 4-2 triumph over Green Gully – in its opening eight matches Altona was sitting second last.
However at return to Paisey Park has seen the club snare back-to-back 1-0 wins over St Albans and now Knights.
Anastovski has scored the winning goal in both games, converting from the penalty spot to secure three points against the Saints.
On Saturday night, Jawad Rezai won the ball in midfield with the ball coming to Anastovski with his back to goal.
A pass wide sent Mohammed Elhawli down the right wing and his cross found Anastovski, who made a difficult volley look simple, thumping the ball past Chris Oldfield.
“It was a great goal, sometimes things happen out of nothing and become big moments,” Lozanovski said.
“(Saturday night) showed our intensity and endeavour to, when you lose the ball, win the ball back as quickly as you can.
“Jawad had possession, lost it, then won it back seconds later, Darce rolled it out wide and got himself into the box and it was a great finish.
“He started the season off quite well but then got injured and sent off in another game, so he’s been inconsistent but the last two or three weeks the door has opened up and he’s been excellent.
“He’s working hard up top, he’s still a young man and only turned 21 a couple of weeks ago, but is showing an old head.”
Lozanovski was equally pleased with his team’s defensive efforts, keeping a second straight clean sheet.
“We’ve got some young boys learning every week, Alex Gust is playing at left-back – last week got in the Team of the Week – he was exceptional again,” he said.
“Johnny Stojcevski and Aaron O’Driscoll, our centre-backs, were really solid and young Moe playing right back really stepped up and looked like an NPL player.
“Saad Moukachar, another 21-year-old, really held firm in midfield.”
Altona will look to make it three wins in a row when its travels to CB Smith Reserve to face bottom-placed Moreland City.
City has had mixed results in recent weeks, pushing high-flying Hume City and Heidelberg United to 3-2 losses with a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Manningham United in between.
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“We spoke about this before the Dinamo (St Albans) game, it’s a massive opportunity for us to get some consecutive wins,” Lozanovski said.
“Like I keep telling the squad, you’re coming up against squads desperate for points and if you don’t match their intensity you’ll get hurt.”
Elsewhere, Avondale decimated Dandenong Thunder 8-0 and South Melbourne handed Dandenong City a 4-0 belting.
Hume City was too good for Manningham United 3-1, Port Melbourne edged Green Gully 2-1 and Oakleigh Cannons survived a challenge from St Albans 3-2.
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