By Roy Ward
DANDENONG coach Daniel Atkin believes the Redlegs’ 88-point victory over Lyndale on Saturday could be the turning point in their Southern Football League division 3 season.
After a tough start to the year under the new coach, the Redlegs put on a commanding performance against the Pumas and did so without key forward Tim Ford and important contributors such as Ryan Forsyth.
The Redlegs received outstanding service from pinch-hitting forward Kevin Atkin (10 goals) and brave defender Chris Arnold, who was named best player.
“Kevin has never had more than four goals before and he normally plays in the ruck,” Daniel Atkin said. “We pushed him deeper into the forward line and he was marking everything, then taking his opportunities.
“But I was more happy with his second and third efforts in chasing and tackling because that forward pressure was vital for us. Chris Arnold went back with the flight of the ball three or four times and got crunched each time. That sort of effort really lifts the rest of the team.”
He also lauded the efforts of midfielder Steven Young for his tireless running and impressive work while resting in the forward line. “We want our resting midfielders to be dangerous while up forward, not just having a break,” Atkin said.
Atkin also said he hoped the confidence gained in the win would spur his side on. “The boys are starting to gel and the game plan is starting to work. We have lost three games by under three goals. This could be the turning point. We got a lot of confidence from this game.”
Doveton Eagles fell to third place in division 3, going down to Moorabbin by a goal on Saturday.
Sandown now holds top spot by percentage over Moorabbin, then the Eagles, with all three sides on 6-1 records.
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