NPL Season Review – Pascoe Vale

Pascoe Vale

2014: 8th
2015: 6th

Like a fine wine, Pascoe Vale improved and refined. Vitale Ferrante’s sides’ early form was worrisome for everyone connected with the club. A strong mid-season saw it flourish and qualify for the finals with a few rounds to spare before a heart-breaker at Lakeside Stadium curtailed the party.

Where it went right:

Making the finals. It’s as simple as that. Pascoe Vale’s feat of squeezing into the top six in a league that is improving in terms of standard by the year is nothing that can be scoffed at. Couple that with the budget that is available and you have yourself a very nice cake. The icing could have been added with a Grand Final berth, but some would say that defeating Heidelberg in the Elimination final and pushing South Melbourne until the 119th minute in the semi-final is a famous achievement in itself.

Where it went wrong:

The Dockerty Cup/FFA Cup qualifiers again saw it bow out way too prematurely for its liking. A loss to unfancied North Geelong on the road was a blow to the club who had targeted a run in the competition. Seeing its neighbours Hume City get themselves into the final four would be deflating, although it will be sure to motivate them next time round.

Over-performer:

Goalkeeper Alex Pavlidis came to the club on the back of taking out the NPL1 Goalkeeper of the Year award with Box Hill in 2014.
His transition to the higher level was faultless as he was helped sure up a good defence into a resolute and ungenerous one.
Commandeering from the front, shot stopping, kicking and overall distribution was impeccable. His penalty shoot-out heroics against Heidelberg in the Elimination final will be sure to live on in Paco folklore for years to come.

Coach:

It was difficult to argue with Vitale Ferrante being named the FFV’s Victorian NPL Coach of the Year.
His ability to work with limited resources and get the best out of his players is a fine art.
Passion and unbridled dedication mean he will be someone Paco will be hoping to hold on to for years to come.

Next season:

Repeating their finals participation will be high on the list for 2016. Going further and entering the FFA Cup will also need achieving if the men from Melbourne’s north are to be considered a true Victorian force. After this season, that is definitely possible.

Season in three words: Battlers win matches

Updated 07:30 - 30 Sep 2015 by PASCOE VALE FOOTBALL CLUB