The Orangemen hit the road on Saturday for round two of the Victorian Premier League Two, but after 90 minutes of football at HC Kim Reserve, it was host side Altona City that laid claim to the three points.
As far as losses go, Saturday’s 2-0 defeat was somewhat of an anomaly.
Suns coach Craig Carley conceded while his outfit was not short on graft, City had the smarts to adjust to gusting winds and that was ultimately what separated the two teams on the day.
“It was a tough pill to swallow; it was really tough conditions and I think Altona adapted to them better than what we did,” he said.
“It certainly wasn’t through a lack of trying, first half against the wind, we tried to play but the conditions didn’t really allow that.
“(In the) second half that sort of changed, but the early goal in the second half took the kick out of the game which was obviously disappointing.
“It’s one of those games — Altona are a very good side and I thought our boys battled away.”
Conditions in Melbourne’s south-west were tough from the get-go as the Suns set about building on its season-opening win the weekend prior.
But on its home deck, Altona pounced first.
Suns custodian Ashton Bonsall launched a goal kick against the wind during the first half, but as the ball held up in the air, City won the header, spun it wide and crossed into the box for left-winger Jordan Lam to slam home.
Down but not out, the Orangemen fought to wrest back authority, but City loaded up a shot to the solar plexus early in the second period.
After weathering a Suns storm in its own box, Altona broke on the counter and Ethan Georgopoulos glided in to convert his side’s second.
Then, as all good games have, late drama.
According to Carley, Altona engaged in some dark arts in the penalty area, where a City outfield player produced a handball save similar to Suarez’s skulduggery against Ghana in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“It was unlucky towards the end; their centre back made a flying handball save off the line and the referee has completely missed it, which led to Matty (Lelliott) being sent off,” he said.
“I thought the ball was clearly over the line.”
While the furore was eventually sorted out, the final whistle blew not long after to consign the Suns to their first defeat of the campaign.
For now, though, Carley is brushing the loss aside in preparation for the Suns’ third round clash against Eltham Redbacks.
“Conditions had a massive part to play, but again, I can take a loss on the chin,” he said.
“I thought Altona were probably the better side, but given an even playing field with conditions, I think we’ll be more than competitive this season.”
“It’s back to the drawing board for us, it’s a good game against a very good side and we just have to put that behind us now and move on to Eltham.”
Promoted this season, Eltham currently sits top of the VPL2 ladder and Carley’s scout report reveals the Redbacks have “got a guy that can throw the ball to the back of the far post from the halfway line”.
Monster launches aside, the Suns head back to McEwen Reserve undeterred.
“Obviously they’re going to be a decent side; we won’t change the way we’ll play, we’ll try and play football as much as we can and look to break them down with our football and our movement,” Carley said.
“Hopefully back on home turf we can make our ground a bit of a fortress.”
