A valiant first-half performance against top-of-the-table North Geelong Warriors on Saturday has given the Goulburn Valley Suns plenty to work with as their quest for NPL2 survival continues.
The Suns suffered a tough 5-1 defeat at McEwen Reserve, but a resilient first-half showing from the men in orange had them enter the break on level terms on Saturday.
Interim first team coach Lee Blackburn said his side showed a newfound confidence in the first half.
“We were very competitive for 55 minutes, we played with confidence and wanted to get on the ball,” he said.
“We wanted to be brave to play, we looked more dangerous than we have recently going forward.”
A goal in the very first minute courtesy of Warriors goal machine Caleb Mikulic put the hosts on the back foot almost from the first whistle, but a new addition to the Suns’ 11 on Saturday would ensure his side wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Suns recruit Matthew Breeze brought his side level just five minutes later, the experienced NPL1 campaigner wasting no time in opening his account after joining the club midweek.
But a Sean Pye own-goal minutes into the second period more or less opened the floodgates at McEwen, the high-flying Warriors piling on the second-half goals.
“We looked comfortable up until that moment, the first two goals were gifts which is going to happen when you play like we were playing — you’re going to get punished against quality opposition,” Blackburn said of the second half performance.
“The character and reaction the boys showed puts us in good stead.”
As the side is sent further and further towards a likely relegation play-off, Blackburn said his message to the boys was simple.
“We want to play without fear,” he said.
“We’ve literally got nothing to lose, performances like Saturday will lead to results and the players have been told that; Saturday was a great start, we got on the front foot against a team going for title and promotion.
“We just want to be brave and play without fear.”