A new coach and new players have sparked a change of fortune for Upfield in FFV’s state league 3 north-west.
Upfield began the season poorly, failing to win any of its first five matches.
Its record since then has been six wins, one loss and a draw.
Club secretary Wally Hanna says the signing of Domenic Gangemi as coach is the main reason for the turnaround.
Gangemi started the season coaching National Premier League 2 side Werribee City before stepping down and joining Upfield. “He’s a quality coach and the players are responding to him,” Hanna said. “They’re enjoying training and there’s more commitment. His training is different every time.”
Hanna said that after picking up new players to add depth, Upfield now had 18 players competing for places.
And it was making an impact on the field , with the side confident it can match it with any team.
Upfield sits fifth on the ladder with a game in hand on three of the sides above it.
But two weeks without a fixture didn’t benefit Upfield on Saturday, as it lost 3-1 to Melbourne City, the first defeat under Gangemi.
Hanna said the season’s aim was still to try for promotion.
“We have players leaving to play for NPL clubs and clubs in higher divisions,” he said.
“We’re growing at junior level and have a lot of players coming through. We want a senior team at a higher level so we can keep the kids for longer.”
In state league 2 north-west, Sporting Whittlesea pushed ladder leader Geelong but succumbed 3-2.
Hume United’s game against Essendon United was postponed because of ground conditions.
In state league 4 north, Plenty Valley Lions drew 2-2 with Boroondara Eagles Carey, while Marcellin Old Collegians defeated Mill Park 3-0 and Bundoora United lost 3-1 to Northern Falcons.
Ladder leader Epping City didn’t get onto the pitch and its match against FC Strathmore will now be played on the second catch-up weekend in late August.
Keon Park pulled off the upset of the state league 5 north season, inflicting RMIT’s first loss. Sitting 10th after just one win, Keon Park shocked everyone with its 2-1 result.
Second-placed Greenvale United and Craigieburn City (fourth) joined RMIT in losing to teams below them on the ladder.
