TWIN City Wanderers have re-asserted their authority on the competition with a 6-1 win over Myrtleford at Savoy Park.
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An under-manned Myrtleford, without midfielder Nathan Mirt and striker Alex Murrel, trailed 2-1 at half-time yesterday but fell off the pace in the second half.
Wanderers coach David Afonso made a number of tactical changes to the side beaten 2-1 by Boomers last week.
“We have great depth and so we can mix things up to suit the opposition,” he said.
“The boys were pretty disappointed with the loss last week and they wanted to go out and set it straight.
“The combination of Matt Gray, James Coutts, Zac Walker and Matt Hasler were outstanding and we brought Harry Flanagan into the middle of the park and he had a great game.
“That’s the way we should play every week, the way we can play.
“But the scoreline flattered us a little.
“A few things went our way and Myrtleford were under-strength but are still well-drilled.
“I’d expect they will take points from some of the better teams in the second half of the season.”
Mirt paid credit to Twin City, declaring them the best team in the competition.
An MRI this week is expected to determine his playing future but Mirt hopes to be available for the game against Diamonds after a general bye for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
“I was happy with our performance in the first half,” he said.
“We gave up a soft penalty and could have been 1-1 at the break.
“But in the second half we dropped off by 5 or 10 per cent across the park and — against a side as good as Twin City — that is fatal.
“From my point of view, I got to see them from the sidelines and will look forward to our next meeting.
“But they will win the League, it is up to the rest of us to break them down come Cup time.”
Elsewhere, Melrose bounced back to form with a 9-2 win against Hotspurs on a water-logged Aloyisius Park.
Coach Josh Fluss said: “We had a big meeting on Tuesday night rather than kick the ball around — everyone had a say about the way we should play, how we could be better.
“The most pleasing aspect about today was the work rate.
“The pitch was pretty ordinary and I was surprised they chose to play the ball around in the middle of the park that was basically mud.
“We just need to build on that for when we come up against some of the better sides.”