Sport
Fresh recruits fail to power Goulburn Valley Suns to victory against FC Melbourne Srbija
It’s sink or swim time in the Goulburn Valley Suns camp.
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Coach Craig Carley admitted his charges are in “deep waters” following Saturday’s 3-1 loss to FC Melbourne Srbija in the Victorian Premier League Two, scaling up the magnitude of the six-game run home to avoid relegation.
He isn’t wrong, either.
The Orangemen are one point off bottom and four points from safety following the weekend’s defeat and, while it’s high time to grab a paddle and start thrashing, faith is yet to depart Carley.
“The next four games with the teams in and around us in that mid to bottom of the table situation, we need to be picking up maximum points wherever we can,” Carley said.
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GV Suns’ Tutu Taya drives forward with the ball at his feet. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 7
GV Suns’ new signing Jack Wardle strides ahead through the midfield. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 7
GV Suns’ Sean Grant keeps his eyes on the prize. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 7
GV Suns’ Laywi Niyonkuru looks to go around his marker. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 7
GV Suns’ Harun Aktas watches his pass skid through the centre. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 7
GV Suns’ Adam Gatcum expresses his distaste at the referee’s call. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 7
GV Suns’ Russell Currie heads his head on the ball. Photo by Megan Fisher“We’re in deep waters now, there’s no hiding from that, but I’m a firm believer that pressure is a privilege and we just need to embrace that and attack it head on.
“If we can do that, I will always back our boys against any side that we’re playing against. We just need to be a bit more clinical.”
The Suns’ lack of clinical edge against Melbourne Srbija typified a season littered with rollercoaster highs and gully lows.
Six minutes into the contest, Ryan Brown pounced on a Srbija corner whipped into a dangerous area.
The winger walked off with a five-finger discount following what was essentially a free header and, 10 minutes later, his teammate Marko Basic stole an equally easy chance.
Returning Sun Liam Kielty attempted to clear a long throw into the box, but the ball popped up beautifully for Basic to wallop home on the volley.
It was a nightmare start, but the Suns weren’t totally toothless themselves.
Some 25 minutes in, Carley’s men forced suspended pressure upon Srbija that eventually landed the ball at Brandon Giaccherinii’s feet inside the box.
His close range effort forced a camera save from the visitor’s keeper, locking the score at 2-0.
In the second half, though, two soon became three.
A looping cross from the right met Maksim Ilic who diverted it goalward via a deflection off Kielty, leaving the Suns’ defenders wondering whether what mirrors they’d broken or salt shakers tipped to force such cursed luck.
But with a quarter of an hour remaining, fortune finally fell in their favour.
Tutu Taya’s Hail Mary hook from near the touchline bamboozled the Sribja custodian and sailed into top left corner from 40 yards out, spurring the Suns on royally.
In the final stages, Sean Grant ran through and left one man on the floor, rounded the keeper but could only steer the ball into the side netting.
It was a ‘what could have been’ moment in all senses.
With the final whistle sounding five minutes later, the Suns were handed an 11th defeat for the season — one which Carley said could well have been prevented.
“They’re a quality side, make no mistake about it, but I thought we were in the game,” he said.
“It’s been typical of our season; we’ve competed, we’ve been well in the game, but just silly goals to concede at key moments again has cost us.
“Teams seem to take their chances and we’re not being clinical when ours present.
“I’m proud of the effort of the boys, but it’s another game where we probably could’ve got something, but we come away empty handed.”
The Suns return to McEwen Reserve this Saturday evening to meet eighth-placed Nunawading City.
Senior Sports Journalist