Juniors rise to top spot with win

Matthew Galea

May 6 2014

Shepparton News

On a bumper weekend for Goulburn Valley Suns, their under-13 side took top spot on the National Premier Leagues Victoria under-13s East table.

The Suns under-13s have been far and away the club’s best junior representative team and co-coach Darrel Mills believes while it is early in the season, top spot is rich reward for a talented group.

‘‘I had high expectations going into the competition given the calibre of players we have, but we’ve set the benchmark higher than I expected,’’ Mills said.

The Suns have won three of their first four games and sit on top of the table with a goal-difference five goals better than second-placed FC Bulleen Lions.

Their latest win — a 3-1 triumph over Springvale White Eagles at home on Sunday — was won in difficult, windy conditions.

Fraser Gosstray bagged a brace, while Nicholas Elder scored the other in the Suns’ triumph.

Mills said a number of people from various Melbourne-based clubs had praised the Suns for the way they played and said structure was the key to success.

‘‘I preach structure as a coach. If we keep our structure and do the simple things well, results will come,’’ Mills said.

‘‘It’s just exciting for these kids to be able to play these Melbourne sides. They come from teams where they might be the best player, but now they’re playing with better children.

‘‘Instead of being one of a couple of superstars in their local team and scoring 10 goals a game and dribbling past 10 players, they have to now forego that individuality for the sake of the team.’’

The under-13s were one of only two Suns junior teams to win on Sunday, with the under-14 team getting up to win its second game of the season in the absence of coach Craig Carley, who was playing for the seniors in Werribee.

The under-12 team lost only its second game of the season, to Springvale 4-1.

The under-18 side lost 3-2, while the under-16 and 15 teams also suffered losses, beaten 5-2 and 4-0, respectively.