Tara Murray
Gisborne came away with its first point of the FV state league 4 west season, after a late goal denied it a win.
The young Sky Blues outfit was tested against Moonee Ponds after taking the lead in the first half through Tyson Lopez.
Despite their best efforts, the relentless pressure from Moonee Ponds paid off as it scored in the final minute to secure a 1-1 result.
Sky Blues coach Carl Valeri said he was really proud of the group and said it showed the character of Gisborne.
“It was a really good performance,” he said. “We scored in the middle of the first half and towards the end they were putting a lot of players forward and we were on the back foot.
“We held them off with a couple of deflections and a knock on, but they managed to score.
“It was a great effort for the team.”
With the reserves side getting a win, it was a sign that they are heading in the right direction.
Valeri said there was a real squad mentality, with players going between the two sides. He said it was a credit to everyone at the club buying into what they’re trying to do.
“We have a lot of young players,” he said. “The majority of the team are youth players who are 16-17.
“We have a 15-year-old in the reserves and it’s fantastic to see them play. They’re growing every game.”
“We’re more than happy with the young players stepping up, as have the players who have been around for a while.
“We were watching the under-16s. It’s good to know all the young players coming through and in three years time we’ll have a strong senior side.”
With the club having a whole reset, a few years earlier than they had expected, Valeri said the aim for the senior side was to just make sure they stay up in state league 4.
He said the draw was important in giving the group some confidence.
“It’s one of those draws where you say that we could have won, they scored . in the last minute,” he said.
“The discussion with the players is that it’s good to get a draw away from home. When you’re fighting to stay in the league to get a draw away from home is a golden point.”
Valeri, a former Australian representative, has returned to the field this season, as well as taking on the coaching reins.
He said he was enjoying the coaching side of things.
“Playing is pretty taxing,” he said. “I’ve been trying to maximise my coaching.
“There will be games where I will have a rest and a bit of a break on the side lines coaching.
“I don’t think I could have contributed much more to the team performance on the weekend.”
Tara Murray
