By ADEM SARICAOGLU
ALTONA added a draw to its 1-1 win-loss record in Hockey Victoria’s Men’s Premier League on the road at Doncaster on Saturday.
The under-manned and injury-riddled Seagulls went into the clash favourites with the home team coming off two losses to start the season.
However, Altona couldn’t hold onto their lead in the second half, and the game finished in a deadlock.
John Camilleri got the ball rolling on the scoreboard for the Seagulls with the opening goal of the game, only to see it get nullified before halftime.
Altona’s lead was then restored in the second half when striker Patrick Phillips worked the ball through the Doncaster goal keeper to open up a 2-1 buffer.
However by game’s end balance was restored, with the game tied at 2-2.
“We were missing quite a number of players from our squad (but) we had a real chance to take three points against a side that has lost a number of players over the off-season,” coach Ben Guy said.
“But whoever we select knows our team objectives, and we did not achieve those today.”
Meanwhile in the second fixture of the day Altona’s women then took to the field, but the winless Seagulls couldn’t find any joy.
Also missing a number of key starters with national duties, the Seagulls struggled to match their more-fancied opponent and never found the back of the net for the entire day, going down 2-0.
A suspected broken arm for Caity Campbell only made matters worse for Altona, who remain last on the Women’s Premier League table.
Coach Marc Richardson was understandably disappointed after the game.
“We aren’t scoring enough goals, having only slotted two in three games thus far,” he said.
However, Richardson remains optimistic his young side can soon turn things around.
“As the season progresses, the young side will gain confidence and experience playing at this level – and the improvement will come.”
This Saturday both teams will be back on their home turf to face local rival, Footscray.
