Emerging as one of the form sides of NPL, Springvale White Eagles’ defeat of St Albans Saints – their first over Dinamo since 2010 – has seen them claim four wins on the trot, propelling them to seventh spot on the ladder and only three points off fourth after earlier languishing second last.
The St Albans win marks one a number of important milestones, including defeating then-NPL2 West ladder leaders Moreland Zebras, and before that a first win over local rivals Dandenong City in the NPL era, with the last victory being in 2013. That came after an opening win of the season against Nunawading City.
Coach Nik Kovacevic said the win over St Albans acted as consolidation and a good way to back up after claiming a fellow high-profile scalp the week before.
“Today was probably the important of the wins. We’re a young squad and after knocking off the top team last week you can drop off a little bit and get ahead of yourselves but the boys didn’t,” he said.
“They were very good and executed the game plan well so I am very proud of them.”
“It’s rewarding no doubt about it as we didn’t know where we would be sitting a month down the track after I first came in. The credit goes to the players who have to do the job out on the park.
“We can give them instructions but they have to execute them and as a coach it’s really rewarding to win four from four.”
Like many of Springvale’s playing squad, Kovacevic came into the club with not a whole lot of experience at NPL level.
A previous captain of the club, the former coach of Fitzroy City helped the state league side achieve successive promotions before joining the Pascoe Vale 20s.
Arriving at his old home ground a month ago, Springvale were languishing in second last after three draws in seven games – hampered by often dropping points late despite promising performances.
Starting with a clean slate, he has led the club to a four game winning streak, the best run in the club’s history in the NPL, and Kovacevic hopes the honeymoon doesn’t end there.
“I came in eyes wide shut and thought that we have plenty of time to look at what we’ve got. I was pleasantly surprised as I thought where they sat on the table did not reflect the quality in the squad,” he said.
“We are a young group but I didn’t want to use that excuse in saying that can happen. We wanted to organise ourselves a little bit better in addition to the way we play the game.
“It’s also about execution and they have done really well in those departments so far and I’m happy with what we have got and the way the boys are going as they are a fantastic group.”
“The character in the change room when I first arrived was good. They might have been going through a downer but that happens when you’re not winning. But the character was there and winning just propels that as they become even closer as a group.
“There is really good energy around the place and that is what you get with a younger squad and they are looking after each other really well.”
Kovacevic also provided an insight into some of his key players this season and the role they have played in the club’s rise, including imports Dan Westmore (10 league games at left-back) and John Pykett (four goals in league 10 games), alongside young strike sensation Damir Stoilovic (6 goals in 11).
“They are two really different characters. Dan is really intense and Johnny is a little bit laidback. But once they hit the pitch, they give you everything every week and that is something we want,” he said.
“Johnny has pace to burn and runs at the defenders and gives them all sorts of headaches each week. We want to use that but it’s not just about them two and we need to have avenues everywhere.
“Dan is an angry ant who loves the contest and battles it out week in week out whereas Johnny is the polish.”
He added: “Technically he [Damir] is excellent and very talented but as a young boy still has a lot to learn. He knows where the goals are and that’s another vital ingredient if you want to play. He can play as a 10 or out wide and keeps on scoring.
“He is a very good talent but a work in progress too as he is not done yet and we are going to keep pushing him. But you have to love watching him play as he is great technically.”
A fifth win is on the cards when Springvale head to the border to face Murray United, before a massive home clash looms against runaway league leaders Dandenong Thunder the week after.
Image: Anita Milas/Just Shoot