After an inconsistent first half of the year coach Dean Alburey branded the remainder of Pakenham United’s State League 5 football season a redemption tour.
An opportunity to prove doubters wrong and give themselves a launchpad for 2026.
Since, they’ve gone two from two.
The 1-0 victory over Mount Eliza on Saturday was particularly pleasing, as Pakenham became just the second side after top-placed Fortuna 60 to knock off the second-placed side.
“It’s good for the boys to have a win over that level of opponent who have been on a good run,” Alburey said.
“For the boys to see that they can compete against Mount Eliza is important.
“We know we should be up there but it’s good reassurance that, while it hasn’t gone the way we want it to, we do have it there to produce.”
Rohan Kumar found the back of the net within 60 seconds and the match was an arm-wrestle thereafter.
“It was a game that ebbed and flowed; we had moments we controlled it and they came back at us a bit,” Alburey added.
“We never looked in too much trouble so you can’t ask for much better.
“The boys defended well.
“There was less of the trademark mistakes that have been hurting us early in the season.
“They came hard with 15 to go.
“In the last five minutes, we had three or four clear cut opportunities to put the game away but couldn’t, but still held on for 1-0.”
Fifth-placed Pakenham face seventh-placed Endeavour Hills on Friday night at IYU Recreation Reserve.
