Altona City’s four game unbeaten run finally came to an end against FC Bulleen Lions on Sunday afternoon, but head coach Riccardo Marchioli feels that there were plenty of positives to take away from the latter part of the season.
“I’m very, very happy,” Marchioli said when asked to comment on the team’s recent upturn in fortunes.
The young coach had taken over a struggling Altona outfit in midseason, as the newly promoted club found themselves bottom of the league and without a single point to their name.
While the going was tough initially, the Round 17 goalless draw against Sandringham SC marked a turning point for the team from Kim Reserve.
Two wins and another draw soon followed, as Altona belatedly began picking up points.
“When we look back on the second half of the season, we can say we went four games unbeaten and for these girls, I think that’s something really good to take out of the season as a whole,” Marchioli said.
“Apart from the Ashburton game where there was a freak goal, we would have kept four clean sheets in a row as well, which for a team that was rock bottom several weeks ago, is a phenomenal achievement.”
Altona now sit 11th in the WPL table on eight points, and have one last chance to add to their season haul as they visit high-flying Box Hill United at Wembley Park on Sunday.