Six weeks seems like an eternity for Keilor Park in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1.
Back then, the Eagles were riding high in second spot on the ladder and appeared ready to challenge the big boys of the competition.
Now the Eagles are in freefall.
They have tumbled to seventh, are winless in seven games, and have problems at both ends of the park.
A 2-1 loss to bottom side Altona East Phoenix on the road at Paisley Park underlines the troubles facing the Eagles.
Club president Paul Portelli admits it has been a frustrating period.
“We’re really disappointed after a good start to the season,” he said. “We were second in round seven, so we’ve gone backwards the past few weeks.
“We’ve tried to stop the rot, but it’s been frustrating. We’ll have to get back to work this week and see what we can do to get back on the winners’ list.”
Supreet Sangha gave Keilor Park reason for hope with an early goal, but their woes at the back were exposed.
The Eagles have let in 15 goals in the past seven games, so conceding their average of two to the Phoenix was not overly surprising.
But Portelli would not lay the blame at the feet of the defenders, saying there have been issues right across the 11 that need to be addressed.
“It’s both ends of the park,” he said. “It’s hard to put a finger on it after we beat Geelong down there. I think the boys might have lost focus.
“We drew with Altona Magic, which was an incredible result, but we’ve lost games that we should’ve won.”
Portelli is looking forward to seeing Keilor Park’s reaction at training this week and against Preston Lions in the team’s next game, at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
“It’s going to be another tough gig, but hopefully the boys can turn it on,” he said.
“The coaching staff will no doubt work hard this week to get a good result.”
Elsewhere in state league 1, Sydenham Park’s resurgence under new coach John Markovski continued with a 3-0 win over Essendon Royals at Ormond Park. Steve Dimcevski, Matthew Sesay and Zoran Markovski scored for the Reds in the opening 17 minutes of the game.
North Sunshine Eagles suffered a 6-0 loss to Altona Magic in the battle of the top two at Larissa Reserve, while Western Suburbs had a 1-1 draw with Westgate on Sunday.
Cairnlea had an entertaining 2-2 draw with Corio in men’s state league 2.
Chris Vartaci scored the equalising goal for the Reds.
In the same division, Westvale went down 2-1 to ladder leader Hoppers Crossing away at Grange Reserve.
Brimbank Stallions extended their lead at the top of the men’s state league 3 ladder to five points with a 4-0 victory over Melbourne University at the Club Italia Sporting Club in St Albans.
Ashley Webster was the star for the Stallions with a hat-trick, making it five goals in two games.
