By ADEM SARICAOGLU
BOTH the men and women were in action at Grant Reserve in Premier League hockey’s very own version of the western derby, the ‘West End Riot’, on Saturday.
Altona hosted Footscray, with the visitors winning 2-1 in the first-up women’s clash before the men played out a 1-1 draw.
It was still 0-0 into the second half of the women’s clash when veteran Altona striker Steph Sarantis finally hit the scoreboard.
But that lead didn’t last long as Footscray hit back shortly afterwards, before knocking in the winner in the dying moments of the game.
Skipper Leah Merrett and vice-captain Olivia Colasurdo were the goal-scorers.
Footscray coach Luke Michael was simply happy to grind out a win on Saturday.
“We were pretty happy to get the win in what was a pretty scrappy game,” Michael said. “Both teams went in with different tactics, and it just came down to a couple of lucky chances that came our way.
“All the goals were opportunistic, they weren’t set plays or anything like that but both teams played really well – and the game was played with pure passion.”
Altona coach Marc Richardson was understandably disappointed.
“Heartbreaking to be only one minute away from a draw and be right in the match for 69 minutes,” he said.
The men’s match was an arm wrestle.
John Camilleri knocked in his second goal in as many games to give underdog Altona the lead but that was eventually cancelled out by Footscray’s Justin Ellis before the main break.
Neither side could break through in the second half, leaving Altona coach Ben Guy ruing a missed opportunity.
“These are the kind of games that we need to get three points from, and we didn’t,” Guy said.
Footscray coach Travis Brooks echoed a similar sentiment.
“I think it was a very good game, very even and both teams created a lot of opportunities to win the game, but neither took them,” Brooks said.
“Just the number of circle penetrations we got and the outcomes we didn’t get from them was a little bit disappointing.”
Both men’s teams then hit the road on Sunday, with Footscray beating Mentone 2-1 and Altona going down 2-1 to Camberwell.
Footscray’s women, however, lost 3-1 to Mentone, while Altona suffered a 3-2 loss to Camberwell.
Meanwhile Werribee’s men didn’t enjoy a good weekend in Vic League One, losing to both Kew and Albury Wodonga.
