Northern Roosters’ overcame a shortage of players to cement their spot on top of the ladder in the FFV state league 3 north west with a 3-0 win over Essendon United on Saturday.
Injuries and players involved with Ramadan meant the Roosters entered the game against eighth-placed United with only one player on the bench.
PICTURE GALLERY | Northern Roosters v Essendon United
“Normally we have several reserves to sit on the bench, but they were unable to hang around after their match because of Ramadan,” said president and player Ali Uguz.
“We were worried about getting an injury and we did, but the player stayed on through the pain.
“We’ll have to get through the next month under-strength.”
Uguz said the match wasn’t pretty, but it was good to come away with the points.
“We were fortunate they had a couple of goals disallowed and they were unlucky not to get anything from the game,” he said.
“But we have a number of players whose skill can pull us through.”
Osama Huweil, Taner Altanhan and Jordan Connerton scored the Roosters’ goals.
The win leaves the Roosters 10 points ahead of third place with seven games to go.
The top two sides will be promoted for next season.
“We need to make sure we continue the winning streak,” Uguz said. “If we have a couple of losses we’re right back in the mix.
“We play Lalor United this week and they’re in the middle of the table. Teams in that spot on the ladder will scrap to try to avoid being relegated.”
Lalor United also goes into the game on the back of a win, a strong 6-2 performance against North City Wolves.
Whittlesea United also won in state league 3 north west, defeating Williamstown 2-1.
In state league 2 north west, Sporting Whittlesea drew with Banyule City 2-2, while Hume United lost 5-1 to North Sunshine Eagles.
In state league 4 north, Epping City and Meadow Park Eagles drew 1-1, the same score as the match between Fawkner and Bundoora United.
Greenvale United staged a scoring blitz against Mitchell Rangers, winning 7-1 in state league north 5, with Reservoir Yeti and Mill Park also on the winners’ list.
For more pictures of the Northern Roosters’ win, go to www.northern.starweekly.com.au
Tara Murray
