By Oliver Lees
Sunbury United coach Dave Gardner is pleased with his team’s gradual improvement this season, despite sitting in last place in the women’s state league 4.
Gardner said he had been treating the season as a learning experience for the players, many of whom are new to the team or the game entirely.
“It’s been a difficult season, very stop-start, with constant change to restrictions and fixtures,” Gardner said.
“On top of that, we’ve got a very wide range of experience in the team, players from the ages of 15 to 45. There are some who haven’t played at all and a bunch of players who have played for years.
“It’s difficult having such a variety [of players], trying to find a balance rotating them on and off and trying to get them up to the same ability.
“But it’s also been nice to see the more experienced players working with those younger players.”
Sunbury sits in 10th spot on the table, with one win and nine losses.
Gardner’s side started the season strong with a 4-1 win over Castlemaine.
But defence has proven a challenge since that win in April, as Sunbury now holds a negative goal difference of 37, the worst in the league.
Despite having just one win, Sunbury is just three points behind seventh place, as Kyneton, Castlemaine, and Brimbank are all level on six points.
At the other end of the table, Altona East and Gisborne share top spot with 27 points apiece.
Sunbury fell to Gisborne 2-1 in its last hit out before COVID-19 lockdown restricted the season.
A 61st minute goal from forward Jacqui Boyd wasn’t enough for Sunbury to earn any points from the match, but Gardner said the game demonstrated his side’s considerable improvement.
“It’s a really big improvement, which is pleasing,” he said.
“We did a couple of things differently positionally, and it shows the effort that the girls have put in all year long.
“Huge shout out to our goalkeeper Phillippa Shand, she’s a first year player and she’s done a great job.
“Obviously Jacqui Boyd has been a great scorer for us too, and Georgia Arrowsmith has been very strong in the midfield, but unfortunately injured her knee.”
Matches that have been postponed due to lockdown restrictions will be played later in the year.
If Victoria’s restrictions are eased this week, Sunbury’s next match will be against Altona East on August 1.
