Suns face dire times

Matthew Galea

August 2 2014

Shepparton News

After finally finding some comfort at home, Goulburn Valley Suns are back on the road with a tough trip to Bentleigh today.

Kingston Heath Soccer Complex was the scene of South Springvale’s fairytale penalty shoot-out win over NSW National Premier Leagues northern division club South Cardiff and the Suns will hope to make it the launch pad of their own dream escape from the jaws of relegation.

Goulburn Valley drew with Bentleigh 1-1 at McEwen Reserve in round nine and if the Suns can turn one point into three away from home, it will breathe new life into their fight for survival.

On the other hand, a loss would prove fatal, according to senior coach David Davkovski.

‘‘It’s sort of death by a million cuts at the moment. We need points from every game and if we don’t, we’re slowly dying,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘Having said that, the club development and junior side is working really well, but as for our position in the league, it’s getting hard.’’

Riley Hamilton is one player who sums that up perfectly, having started the Suns’ last two games and contributing positively to a win against Green Gully and a draw with Melbourne Knights.

The 16-year-old defender is quickly becoming a fixture in the Suns’ senior side and Hamilton said he was enjoying the transition.

‘‘It’s been great getting a go. It was disappointing to come off (with illness) at half-time in the first game, but playing and training alongside Naum (Sekulovski) and Simon (Colosimo) has been really good,’’ Hamilton said.

‘‘They guide me before and after games, which helps me a lot.

‘‘Since David has come in just having the under-20s train with the seniors . . . I think it’s good we’re all training together. It feels like a club now, whereas before it felt like just two different teams training at the same time.’’

Should the Suns fail to pick up points this weekend, Davkovski said he would blood even more young talent through the seniors.

‘‘We have to because we need them to be ready for next season,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘We’ll tap some of the older boys on the shoulder and ask them to step back a bit and help the 20s, so we can mix it up and get the boys developing and exposed to that level.

‘‘Joey (Hogarty) and young Jordan Lelliot has impressed me on the left, so I want to give him a chance if he keeps playing well, and Matt Gleeson is pretty good, too.’’

Craig Carley, who scored against the Greens last time around, is still unavailable through suspension, but otherwise Davkovski has a full squad from which to choose.