Sunbury United knows its promotion dreams are in its own hands in the last month of the FV state league 3 north-west season.
For the first time in a number of seasons, Sunbury remains in contention for the championship and promotion at the pointy end of the season.
Altona North sits atop the ladder, five points clear of Surf Coast and Sunbury with the top two teams to earn promotion.
The top two teams face each other this week, while Sunbury plays Altona North in the second last round which could decide the top two spots.
Coach Jason Hayne said it was pretty exciting to be in this position.
“We always had aspirations at the beginning of the year and it’s a good thing for us,” he said. “The group is excited.
“They have the right appetite the way we have delivered the last eight to nine games.
“A lot have not been in the position for an extended period of time. It’s an exciting opportunity and we’re looking forward to the next four weeks.”
Hayne said for them they need to keep winning with their fate in their own hands.
He said beating Surf Coast at its home ground, which was the first time it had lost at home in two years, had given them plenty of confidence.
Sunbury has not lost since round 10 when it lost to Altona North, while it has won its last six games.
Hayne said they will assess each week it comes and won’t look too far ahead.
“We just have to continue to win,” he said. “For me the most important game is the Epping [City] game.
“There’s no point looking too far ahead. We’re confident in the group that we have and they’ve played the past two months.
There was a bye on the weekend, with Hayne saying it came at the perfect time for the group.
“We’ve put a lot of pressure on the boys the last six to seven games, that every game is a grand final.
“They have been up until now and we can relieve the pressure for this week.
“We had a team dinner and got away from Langama Park [on Tuesday night].
“We’ll get back into it on Thursday night and look ahead to the next game. There’s a lot of determination on the track that we have been doing.”
Meanwhile, Sunbury’s women’s side sits sixth in state league 4 west.
The side was set to play a catch up game on Sunday against the Truganina Hornets.
