It’s make or break time for Sunbury United in FFV state league 1 north-west, with the season almost at the point of no return.
Struggling United has won just two games and sits second from bottom and in the relegation zone.
Coach Greg Czapnik said the season was almost at breaking point.
“We’re in dire straits and I didn’t think I’d be saying that at round 11,” Czapnik said.
“I believe we’re a decent side, but we’re not showing it on the park.
“It’s a confidence thing. We need to get it back.
“We’d actually been playing well up until [two] weeks ago.
“Against Altona Magic we played really well and didn’t deserve to lose, and against Cairnlea we had so many chances to score in the first half.
“But in the Keilor game we played so poorly, it was the worst I have felt after a match in five years at the club.”
Czapnik said the littlest things made the difference between his team and its opponents.
“We’re being punished for the smallest mistakes.
“Other teams make basic mistakes, too, and we aren’t punishing them. There’s a thin line between success and failure.
“I think we’re a better team then last year [when United avoided relegation in the final round], but ladders don’t lie.”
United’s game against North Sunshine Eagles on Saturday was called off after an Eagles player dislocated his elbow.
As less than 50 minutes had been played the game will be rescheduled.
Czapnik says his team needs to focus on getting points from as many games as possible.
“We’re capable of beating anyone on our day. We’re fortunate that Westgate and Corio [who are also in the relegation fight] are losing, too. But they won’t keep losing, as we need them to.”
In state league 5 west, Kyneton District lost 2-0 to Balmoral.
Rangers’ best chances came in the first half through Ryan Cole and Daniel Reeves, but Balmoral took their chances in the second to secure the win.
Gisborne lost 7-1 to Spring Hills.
