By Tara Murray
Lalor United claimed a second straight title in FFV state league.
Having already secured promotion several weeks ago, Lalor was keen to add the state league 3 north-west title to the state league north 4 title it won last year.
Playing Strathmore, the only other team still in the finals fight, a win or draw would be enough for Lalor to finish first.
A one-goal loss would still be enough, but a loss by two or more goals would give Strathmore the championship.
Strathmore claimed the win 2-1, but it wasn’t enough – the two teams finished equal on points, with Lalor one goal ahead.
Lalor coach Tony Sterjovski said there were a few celebrations on Saturday night.
“We knew going into the game, if we were to lose by two goals or more, Strathmore would be champions.
“We knew that our fate was in our own hands. The commitment and determination has been first-class all year.”
Sterjovski said there was a few nervous moments at half-time with the side trailing 2-0.
Lalor settled in the second half and come out on top, despite missing four of its best players.
“We had a player sent off early in the second half and we were down to 10 men,” Sterjovski said.
“We kicked a cracker from a free kick 30 metres out. It was a physical game but we were able to continue on.”
Sterjovski said they would have never imagined at the start of last season that they would be in state league 2 next season. He said they would celebrate the next few weeks before starting to look ahead.
Sterjovski said he would like to continue on coaching, but that will be discussed in the coming weeks.
Lalor still has one more game, facing the state league 3 south-east champion to decide the number one state league team.
In state league 2 north-west, Epping City just missed out on promotion.
