By Tara Murray
Gisborne will focus on maintaining its present form as it works toward promotion from FFV state league 5 west.
The top two teams will earn promotion and Gisborne, sitting second with four rounds to go, has its destiny in its own hands.
Coach Danny Ciantar said it was pretty simple what had to be done in the run home.
“There’s still four games to go and anything can happen,” he said. “It’s up to us to keep going. There’s still 12 points up for grabs.
“It’s completely up to us. We have to play consistent football.”
Ciantar said they had been a little bit inconsistent in recent weeks, with injuries having an impact.
But he said he had been happy with the way other players have stepped up when they needed to.
Ciantar would have been pleased with the side’s performance on Saturday when they defeated Maidstone United.
Gisborne did all the scoring, Daniel Adamo kicking the opener in the 25th minute.
Jake McIntyre made a welcome return from injury to score the Sky Blues second early in the second half, as they won 2-0.
The win closes the gap on top side Westside Strikers to six points. The Sky Blues have played one more game though.
Ciantar said they hadn’t given up hope of claiming the title as well as promotion.
“They have a couple of hard games coming up. We’re not giving up the ghost.”
Ciantar said the atmosphere around the club had been fantastic with everyone getting behind the possibility of promotion.
“The group is really determined, which is fantastic,” he said.
“We had 32 players at training on Tuesday night and there’s a really good buzz.
“Our reserves are sitting fourth on the same amount as points as us. They can finish in the top two as well.”
Meanwhile, Sunbury United had a 2-1 win against Heidelberg Stars in FFV state league 3 north-west.
Looking to keep its promotion hopes alive, Sunbury took the lead moments before half-time through David Mwarabu.
Not long after play resumed, Stars levelled the scores from a deflected shot.
The Stars were reduced to 10 men and Sunbury made the most of it a minute later to regain the lead through Alex Viola.
Sunbury was able to hold on for a hard-fought win.
The win moves Sunbury up a spot to fifth, having played one less game than the sides above.
They are now just four points behind second.
