Battle arises for Suns

July 26 2014

Shepparton News

Tonight’s match against Melbourne Knights is a much more daunting prospect for Goulburn Valley Suns than it would have been two months ago.

The Suns somehow avoided the Knights in the first 18 weeks of National Premier Leagues Victoria competition, much of which the Knights spent languishing near the relegation zone.

However, the Knights outfit which arrives in Shepparton today will be different to the team that struggled through injuries for the first part of the season, having significantly strengthened in the transfer window.

Now, Melbourne Knights have only lost two of their last seven games, winning four; results which have catapulted the club to eighth on the table.

On the other hand, the Suns remain at the bottom of the table despite an upturn in performances and form under coach David Davkovski.

Last week’s 3-2 win over Green Gully was a much-needed morale booster for the team and the club as a whole, but Davkovski does not want that to distract them from the task at hand.

‘‘Going by form they’re just about number one,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘It’s easy to see they’ve turned the corner.’’

Former Goulburn Valley Sun Stipo Andrijasevic has played his part in the Knights’ revival since his mid-season move, banging in the goals for his new club.

Andrijasevic’s former teammate Craig Carley will definitely miss the game, however, after pleading guilty over elbowing an opponent last week and will serve the first of a two-game suspension.

Davkovski admitted he was not quite sure how he would adapt to the loss, but ruled out moving Zac Foxhoven, who has impressed in a wide role over the past two weeks, into the central striking role.

‘‘We’ll change it around a bit, but we set up quite well so I think we just need a bit of a re-jig,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘We might move (Ben) Clarke there and put Cody (Sellwood) on the right.

‘‘Cody played striker all his life, too, so he’s an option as well.’’

Once again, the Suns will be handing out free passes at Shepparton Junior Soccer Association games, while women will receive free entry.