Croydon Kings v Modbury Jets
2015 South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League Round 3

When:  February 28, 2015 at 7 PM
Where: Polania Reserve, 7 Essex Crescent, Croydon Park

Form:

Croydon Kings: W W

Round 1: Croydon Kings 2 – 1 Metro Stars, TK Shutter Reserve
Round 2: Pirates 2 – 4 Croydon Kings, Pirate Park

Modbury Jets: L L

Round 1: Modbury Jets 1 – 3 Pirates, Jet Park
Round 2: Adelaide Blue Eagles 6 – 0 Modbury Jets, Marden Sports Complex

Preview:

Croydon Kings meet Modbury Jets in the round 3 fixture of the South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League this Saturday at Polonia Reserve.

The teams had vastly different starts to the season with Modbury losing and Croydon winning their first two matches of the season.

In a rematch of last year’s grand final, Croydon defeated the Metro Stars 2-1, which was followed up with a 4-2 win over the Pirates.

Despite the fine start to the season, Croydon player Shaun McGreevy isn’t entirely satisfied with his team’s performances thus far.

“Obviously, we are happy about the wins but we aren’t at the level or intensity yet that we aim for,” McGreevy said.

“There’s still room for improvement.”

McGreevy brings up the 4-2 win against the Pirates as an example.

“In the last match, we started well but dropped off in the second half to only end up winning by a couple of late goals,” he said.  

“We can’t really allow ourselves to do that.”

Upcoming opponent Modbury already experienced some heavy defeats this season, losing their opening two matches 3-1 and 6-0 against the Pirates and Adelaide Blue Eagles respectively.

In spite of the results, McGreevy sees the Jets as a tough challenge.

“They’ll be still a tough team to beat,” he said.

“They’ll play a physical game and run a lot.

“We will have to be at our best and play our game.”

McGreevy’s opposite, Modbury vice-captain Kieran McNally, is well aware that these defeats can bring down confidence in players and that team morale is critical for the season ahead.

“We have just got to make sure in the leadership group like myself as vice-captain, Paul (Reilly) as captain and Trimmers (Jason Trimboli) as coach, to keep all the other youngster that are in the team, to keep their chins up,” McNally said.

“We knew it was going to be a hard season, but being beaten pretty badly by Blue Eagles last week has hurt us.

“But we have just got to come back and there’s something about Modbury that’s always a positive and it’s that we’re a fighting team.

“We’re not going to drop our heads and let people trample all over us.”

McNally believes that the loss of experience can be linked to the recent results.

“It’s been said before; it’s the experience leaving our team,” he said.

“Matt Kelly was a massive loss for us; Aaron Westervelt; Jonathon Neegus.

“So even if we were to remain in the state league this year, moulding a new team and playing the way Jason wants us to play, will take a few games.

“That’s probably a factor for sure,” McNally said.

Nevertheless, McNally is very much looking forward to play the reigning champions on Saturday night.

“Croydon are a fantastically drilled team and it’s going to be the biggest test for us, as a club and as individuals on the pitch,” he said.

“It will be a tough game, but like I said before; everyone at Modbury, plays at Modbury because they are a fighter.

“I’m more amped for this game than any other game during this season.”

Article by Christopher Munker