Tara Murray
Consistency is the key for Sunbury United as it tries to get back on the winners list in the FV state league 3 north-west competition.
After starting the season with two wins, United has failed to take the full three points in their last three games.
On Saturday, United gave up a two goal lead in the 2-2 draw against the Sebastopol Vikings at Langama Park.
United coach Danny Moore said they were disappointed not to come away with the whole three points.
“We were 2-0,” he said. “We scored literally as the whistle for half time went, it was a good time to score.
“We scored early in the second half, a good team goal. After we scored we took the foot off the pedal a little bit and let them back into the game and they scored two goals.
“We were hanging on the last 10-15 minutes to keep the draw. It was good to get a point, but we should have taken the three points playing at home and having been 2-0 up.”
The draw is United’s second in the last three weeks with a loss against Point Cook in the middle of them.
Moore said they’re not too far away from converting those results into wins.
“We’ve had a couple of individual errors that have proved costly,” he said. “We aren’t outplayed by any team, the league is a really strong one.
“Anyone can beat anyone. A bit of consistency will get you towards the top of the table, we’re still a really good side.
“It’s about game management and seeing out the game and putting in the effort for the whole 90 minutes.”
Moore, who is in his first season coaching United, said he was still trying to work out the best combinations, with a different line up to what was at the club last season.
He said it could be difficult at times for the players.
“To be fair, I’ve made changes every week to the line up,” he said.
“We haven’t had a consistent line up from week to week, I’ve been looking to find the best formula and set up.
“It can be a little bit disjointed with different players coming in and different groups coming to grips with that.”
United this week face the Heidelberg Eagles on the road. It’s the first of three road games in a row for United.
Moore knows it will be a challenge, but the message is simple to the playing group.
“It’s about making sure that we focus and concentrate for the whole 90 minutes,” he said.
In state league 4 west, it was a tough day out for Gisborne against Laverton.
After leading 2-0 at half time, Laverton went on a goal scoring spread to win 8-1.
