Michael Loche has coached soccer for the past 13 years but has never met a more hard-working and determined club than the Plenty Valley Lions.
Loche, who joined the FFV state league 4 north club in the off-season, says hard work behind the scenes is responsible for the club’s brilliant start to the season.
It won its first five matches of the year and drew, nil-all, at the weekend.
“I’ve found the committee to be the hardest- working in the 13 years I’ve coached,” Loche said.
“They are so dedicated and embrace all cultures and they have grown immensely. The club is able to provide a pathway from juniors through to seniors.”
With everything rolling well behind the scenes, onfield results are starting to go the Lions’ way.
Loche’s recruitment of six players in the off-season has helped with the club’s development. “We expected to be far better than previous years, and it’s about looking at consistency of effort. If we put the effort in, the results will take care of themselves.
“It’s much more competitive at training and the players now know that if they slacken off there’s someone else to take their role.”
Loche said while the club had improved as a whole, it was some of the experienced players who had impressed him.
“Daniel Tsakmakis and Rhys Bigaran have been two of the biggest improvers,” he said.
And leaders of the club, like Taner Altanhan, Arhmad Bakri and Salim Hellis, were competitive beasts.
“Goalkeeper Goran Petrovski has taken it to another level, while Chris Nikolaidis, who has been playing for 16 years, is the lifeblood of this club.”
Loche says the club wants to get to the season’s halfway point just being competitive. Then they’ll reassess the season’s goals.
On Saturday, the Lions recorded a 0-0 draw with Northern United and are now second on the ladder, with five wins and a draw.
In other matches, Epping City defeated Watsonia Heights 3-1, Fawkner smashed Meadow Park 10-0, Bundoora United won 4-1 against FC Strathmore, and Northern Falcons and Greenvale United drew 1-1. In state league 2 north-west, Sporting Whittlesea beat Yarraville 2-1, Hume United lost to Banyule City 3-1.
Whittlesea United drew 1-1 with Geelong Rangers in state league 3 north-west. Lalor United and Western Eagles drew 0-0 and Upfield won 2-1 against Brunswick Zebras.
