A second-half stumble of epic proportions has landed Goulburn Valley Suns another loss for the books.
The Orangemen shipped three goals after the break against Melbourne Srbija in the round five Victorian Premier League Two clash, condemning Craig Carley’s side to its fourth consecutive loss.
It adds to a rap sheet reaping like this: one point, three goals scored and nine conceded across five games.
Despite holding the best defensive record on paper in the league’s bottom five, the Suns’ 10th placing speaks volumes of lapses costing them dearly in crucial moments.
Saturday’s match was no different.
On the road at Kevin Bartlett Reserve for the first away match of the campaign, the Suns matched promoted side Melbourne Srbija for the first 45 minutes.
Chances came and went for both sides throughout the opening half, but neither could break the deadlock until after the break when Srbija forward Luka Ninkovic poked in a cross from the left-hand flank.
The hosts doubled their lead from the same avenue as Serbija recycled a long throw from the left, with Maksim Ilic skirting into the penalty area to nod home for 2-0.
Ilic would double his tally later on as Suns' custodian Alexander Georgopoulos committed a foul inside the box, which resulted in a penalty.
Having already tasted goals, up stepped Ilic to slam the ball down the centre and into the net to tuck the game to bed.
Last season, the Suns held an enviable away record with four wins, four draws and three losses from 11 matches on the road.
This season, however, the well of goals has dried up, and points are becoming increasingly challenging to pick up no matter the setting.
Caryley’s side has an opportunity to pull off its first win of the 2024 season this weekend when gearing up for another away game, meeting eighth-ranked Nunawading City at Mahoneys Reserve.