Last season was reality check for Greenvale United . . . and the lesson has been learned.
United was promoted from state league 5 north in 2014 but found league 4 so tough they came straight back down in 2015.
And United coach Michael Eliades said Greenvale wanted to be back in state league 4 and would be pushing for promotion again.
But that ambition was given a jolt on Saturday when the Panthers suffered their first loss of the season in the top-of-table clash with RMIT.
Both sides entered the match undefeated and RMIT came out on top 2-0.
“Relegation was a rude awakening,” Eliades said.
“We got through to state league 4 pretty easily and we took it for granted we would keep winning and keep moving up.
“We didn’t appreciate how much work it would take.”
There’s a new lineup and new attitude this season.
“We aimed high last year and pushed as hard as we could,” Eliades said.
“We had a couple of injuries and couple of issues with players.
“We stripped it right back to get the attitude right. We made some changes and majority of the senior team this year are in their first year in the side.
“We worked hard and started earlier in the preseason. We want to get promoted again.”
Eliades said the mixture of experience and youth was providing the right mix.
“A lot of players have come through the junior sides.,” he said.
“The older players are mentoring the younger guys and they’re thriving on it.
“It’s been a team effort with no individuals standing out.
“We’re playing well from the goalkeeper through to the strikers. We’re also not relying on one or two players to do all the scoring.”
In other state league 5 north results, Thornbury Athletic beat Meadow Park 4-3, Craigieburn City defeated Moreland Eagles 2-0 and Keon Park was smashed 8-0 by Heidelberg Eagles.
In state league 2 north-west, Sporting Whittlesea and Hume United had 5-1 wins against Fitzroy City and Heidelberg Stars respectively.
Upfield got its third win of the north=west 3 season with a 2-1 victory over La Trobe University.
Lalor United and Darebin United played a 0-0 draw and Westvale and Whittlesea United drew 1-1.
It was a bad day in state league 4 north, with Bundoora United, Plenty Valley Lions and Mill Park
all losing.
