If the FFA Cup is any guide, Whittlesea United will be right in the mix again in state league 3 north-west this season.
Led by a Sunan Mirik hat-trick, United marched into this week’s FFA Cup fourth round draw with a 4-0 hammering of Fitzroy City at Thomas Street Reserve on Saturday.
Mirik scored twice in the first six minutes and after Tansel Baser headed in Salih Sefil’s free kick in the 44th minute, Whittlesea went to halftime with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Mirik scored his third goal just after the break to end the scoring.
Speaking before the weekend’s match, United coach Gary Currie said he was happy with what he’d seen of the team so far after only a month in the job.
“I spent six years at Heidelberg as coach of under-21s and reserves coach but didn’t coach last year because of work,” he said.
Currie said the club had kept most of last year’s squad and added five or six new players.
“We’ve had two wins and a loss in the preseason so far and we can only get better as the season goes on,” he said.
Currie expects his side to be among the top teams in state league 3 north-west after finishing third in the same division last season, only goal difference behind second-placed Altona City.
“I think we’ll be one of the top four teams and we’re looking to go for promotion,” Currie said.
“Last season was a good start and the foundations remain in place.
“We’ve started the season scoring goals and have nine goals in three games, which is what we want.
“We will only get stronger and better when the side gets more familiar and confident with each other.”
UPFIELD departed the nationwide FFA Cup when they forfeited Saturday’s match with Peninsula Strikers.
