Whittlesea United secures consecutive state league soccer promotions with 5-0 win

WHITTLESEA United overcame a three-week stumble to secure consecutive promotions and a berth in State League 1 North-West for 2019.

A high foot from Whittlesea's Reis Aygun comes close to Corio keeper Rick Apostalikas. State league soccer: Corio v Whittlesea United. Picture: Alan Barber

WHITTLESEA United overcame a three-week stumble to secure consecutive promotions and a berth in State League 1 North-West for 2019.

United was unbeaten until Round 15, an incredible run which proved pivotal when it lost to Brimbank Stallions, Cairnlea and Hume United in successive State League 2 North-West fixtures.

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The club parted ways with coach Peter Schwellinger during that period, installing captain Tansel Baser as interim boss.

Baser said the club’s 7-4 defeat to Hume United in Round 17 proved a watershed result, acknowledging it had been a “turning point”.

“After we got a 7-4 loss to (Hume United) we all sat down and had a good look at each other and we got ourselves back on top again,” Baser said.

“We haven’t lost since that game and we wrapped (promotion) up.”

Playmaker Baki Efe’s mid-season departure to FC Bulleen Lions contributed to the indifferent run.

A top-two finish was sealed when Whittlesea completed a 5-0 rout over Fitzroy City on Saturday, capping its achievement in style.

The club was promoted from State League 3 North-West last year after finishing one point behind Brimbank Stallions in second.

Whittlesea United’s Reis Aygun tries to pip Corio’s goalkeeper to the ball. Picture: Alan Barber

Those two clubs have been in title contention for much of this season, continuing a rivalry which has built in recent years and will continue in State League 1.

Baser said Whittlesea did not boast the budget of other state league clubs, building its success on culture and mateship.

“We are a club based on friendship and the people around us,” he said.

“We have a good vibe there and fantastic people leading us. We’ve got a great culture. That’s what it is all about at our club.”

Sinan Mirik, Kemal Irdem, Reis Aygun and Nejdet Sahin have been key figures for United. “No one predicted that we would go undefeated for 14 games,” Baser said.

“It was our first year in Division 2 and no one expected us to do something like that. We didn’t expect it ourselves.”

Whittlesea United forwards climb in an effort to win a header in the penalty area. Picture: Alan Barber

Whittlesea will wrap up its campaign against Geelong Rangers on Saturday, needing a victory to clinch the league title.

United is two points ahead of Brimbank Stallions after Round 21, however the second-placed side has a superior goal difference.

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