The Goulburn Valley Suns’ Australia Cup journey was cut short on Wednesday night, as they went down 2-1 to State League One side Banyule City at Tullamarine’s Valley Park.
A long-range scorcher in the seventh minute by Banyule’s Ryan Kirkus had his side on the front foot early; the Suns fortunate to keep the deficit to just one goal at the half after a number of gilt-edged Bulls opportunities went begging.
A swerving Kirkus free kick around the Suns’ wall in the 60th minute was a bitter pill to swallow for the visitors, who until then had been growing into the game in the second term.
Alex Caldow managed a tidy half volley in the 88th minute, setting up a grandstand finish, but it wasn’t to be for the Suns, who made the trip home empty handed.
A trying week of football has certainly tested his side, but coach Craig Carley is adamant despite a worsening injury crisis, the work his boys are producing will start to reflect in their results.
“The injury crisis is not easing up, Jamie England’s gone down with a hamstring and we’ve lost our keeper Zac McLeod for the season with a broken wrist,” Carley said.
“I don’t know how many mirrors we’ve broken, but our bad luck will change.
“On the flip side it gives other players the opportunity for more game time, it’s been good experience for them.”
With a number of senior players on the sidelines, the Suns mentor has been left feeling immensely proud of the younger Suns who have stepped on to the senior stage.
“Players like Tutu Taya, Gerald Corbo and Elijah Brooker, they’re young players that have come through the Suns system, they’re the future of the club,” Carley said.
“It’s a bit more exposure than how we would like in different circumstances but they’ll certainly be better for the experience.”
Although the Suns’ injury list is lengthy, a handful of senior players have been tipped to potentially return in coming weeks.
“Everyone is feeling the squeeze, hopefully we’ll get a few boys fit over the next two weeks — we’re hoping to get Matt Lelliott back this week and Brandon Giaccherini as well could be coming back,” Carley said.
“George Murrihy is another one who’s coming back after five months out with injury.”
The Suns resume their NPL2 campaign this weekend when they face Langwarrin at McEwen Reserve, with kick-off at 3pm.