FC Melbourne edges VPL2 premiership rival Altona City to move joint top of ladder

State League 1 South-East premier last season, FC Melbourne is now chasing VPL2 glory after a blockbuster month of football sees it joint top of the ladder.

Marko Basic in action for FC Melbourne. Picture: Luke Radziminski

A season-defining month of football has seen FC Melbourne move to the top of the VPL2 ladder.

The reigning State League South-East premier is now eyeing off back-to-back titles and also remains alive in the Australia Cup.

A 1-0 win over premiership rival Altona City on Saturday sees Srbija joint ladder-leader with North Sunshine but second on goal difference.

In an epic five weeks, Melbourne has claimed wins over Pascoe Vale, Essendon Royals, Brunswick Juventus and now City, the only defeat coming against the Eagles.

With as many as four clubs set to be promoted at the end of the season, Srbija is short odds to jump to VPL1, but more silverware is the top priority.

FC Melbourne prepares for the game. Picture: Luke Radziminski

“Obviously at the beginning of the year we knew the foundation was there, we were ready to compete, but we didn’t know what to expect,” Srbija coach Željko Popovic said.

“We were cautious with our targets but after the first half of the season we see we’re very competitive and getting ourselves in this position, the appetite has grown, and we want more.

“We’ve played a lot of, let’s call them derbies – top-of-the-ladder clashes – and had good results, we lost to North Sunshine who showed why they’re still unbeaten.

“Now, the top four has divided on the ladder and it’s going to be a nice fight to the end in the last nine games.

“We have another tough game on Wednesday in the cup that would take us to the national Round of 32, and we want to progress, but we have to balance equally because a couple of days later we have another league game.”

FC Melbourne and Altona City is a burgeoning rivalry with the clubs facing off four times in the past year, last year in the Australia Cup and then the State League 1 championship.

A 66th minute Ryan Brown strike was enough to settle Saturday’s clash at Kevin Bartlett Reserve.

A pin-point cross from Marko Basic found Brown at the back post and his effort was bundled into the net by Altona opponent Chris Kikidis.

Popovic was pleased to get one over their fellow promotion-winner.

“We started a little bit shaky, the heaviness of that game put a weight on our shoulders,” he said.

“As the game went on we controlled the second part of the first half and most of the second (half), they were dangerous but didn’t have any real clear chances.

“This is the fourth time we’ve played them in the last year and a half and it’s always tough.

“The cup match at the beginning of last season went 120 minutes and then the end of last season as champions of south and north, we met again and again went to 120 and both times they won.

“The game in Round 4 finished 4-4 and finally after a hard battle we won, which is really big for us.”

Melbourne’s success has been built on a stoic defence, which has only conceded nine goals this season – clearly No.1 in the competition.

Jarrod Hill has kept nine clean sheets in 13 outings.

The club is also the fourth-ranked offence with boom recruit Luka Ninkovic currently leading the league goalscoring charts with eight goals.

Popovic said the entire team did their part at both ends of the ground.

“We’ve conceded nine goals and half of those we conceded against Altona City in the first round,” he said.

“It sounds like we’re basing everything on defence but in every game we’re creating a lot of chances and converting some of those chances.

“I think the whole team gets credit for the defensive record, the way we work, the way we press, the way we move, it’s the way we defend.

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“Luka has been a very good goalscorer … he’s a big asset in defence as well, defending set pieces, he’s been huge for us this year.”

The club’s premiership charge has also been bolstered by mid-season recruit Josh Heaton.

The English central defender arrives from Mornington and has previously played in Scotland for St Mirren after coming through the Preston North End academy.

FC Melbourne travels to Kingston City on Wednesday night for a Australia Cup clash with the winner progressing to the national Round of 32 stage.

Srbija then returns to league action on Saturday, away to in-form Boroondara-Carey Eagles.