Spirit shooting for hat-trick of victories

WESTERN Spirit continued to stake an early claim as one of the dark horses of this year’s Premier Division 1 title by posting a workmanlike 3-1 win over Brisbane Force on Saturday night.

On a greasy C J Greenfield Reserve pitch, the Spirit took the lead halfway through the first half with a pinpoint header by Alex Anderson (pictured).

But the Richlands-based Force hit back soon after courtesy of a brilliant strike by centre backman, Bartek Zamorski, which he nailed off the post from 20m out from goal.

Just as it seemed both teams would go into the sheds deadlocked at 1-all, Spirit’s Nicholas Paterson put the visitors back in front in the dying minutes of the first half.

Last year’s Division 2 footballer of the year and Gold Boot winner, Phil Randal, iced the game for the Goodna-based Spirit midway through the second half by beating a defender and leaving it to his trusty right-foot to slot the ball past Force goalkeeper, Victor Tharenov.

Force co-coach, John Ogden said Paterson’s goal just before half-time proved costly for his team in the end.

“We had done so well to get back into the game, only to concede one (goal) right on the half-time whistle,” he said.

“That’s probably where our confidence is at the moment – it’s a bit below (where it should be), but we fought pretty well in the second half and we were right in it pushing for the equaliser.”

Spirit co-coach and defender, Troy Wickstein lauded his team-mates for another outstanding team effort.

“The boys were really focused and the pleasing factor from our first two games is we are working as a team,” said Wickstein, who set up Anderson’s headed goal with a well-placed free kick.

The Spirit will aim to start the year with a hat-trick of wins when they face Rocklea at home this Sunday, while the Force travel to North Pine still searching for their first points of the campaign.