With a win to cheer about, the chapter has been closed on another Goulburn Valley Suns season.
The Orangemen walked out of Epping Stadium triumphant after knocking down promotion-bound Melbourne Victory Youth 2-1 on Saturday.
Goals to Taku Hishida and Russell Currie leaves Craig Carley’s side in fourth as the curtain closes on the 2023 National Premier League Three (NPL3) campaign.
A season which garnered heavy promise of a return to NPL2, a history-breaking Australia Cup run and more, the weekend’s result was a just way to sign off the year.
Victory, as good a ball-playing side in the competition, was traditionally tidy from the first whistle.
Their technicians orchestrated the possession game, but lacked sting in the final third, stretching the pitch with sweeping switches of play.
The Suns, decked out in their stylish grey Australia Cup kit, brought a physical fight to the contest and finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute.
A high press on Victory’s defence coughed up the ball which rolled to Matt Lelliott.
He picked out Hishida in a pocket of space.
Two seconds of magic later and it was 1-0 Suns.
The diminutive winger weaved in between a pair of defenders with some tight dribbling, his footloose act followed by a howitzer sent into the roof of the net.
Not long after it was up to Suns keeper Jake Angelovski to prevent a swift reply with a smart reaction save to deny Tim Atherinos in a one-on-one situation in the 42nd minute.
Just as well he did, because the Suns would go on to double the lead just before half-time.
Brandon Giaccherini’s mazy run forced a foul outside the box, with Adam Gatcum’s delivery met by Currie with the final touch at the back post.
His 16th league goal of the season was ever so important as it lands the Scotsman a joint golden boot gong alongside North Sunshine Eagles’ Redouane Sarakh and Caroline Springs George Cross’ Josh Whiteley.
After half-time the Suns enjoyed 10 minutes of dominance as they pressed Victory hard, trapping them in the defensive third and turning the ball over.
Gatcum almost had a moment for the cameras as he pulled out a piece of brilliance on the edge of the box, flicking the ball up only to see his goal-bound strike deflected on the volley.
Then the tide began to turn.
Victory’s indirect free kick inside the box was blocked by the wall and chance after chance came rolling in as the hosts pushed back after the hour mark.
After missing a sitter in the 70th minute, Victory would score five minutes later.
A free kick on the edge of the box was blocked at the first attempt then lashed home by Alexander Menelaou on the rebound.
Victory saw a late header flashed wide from a set piece and the eventual final whistle brought the curtain down on a lively last outing for the Orangemen.
Giaccherini was a terror on the wing all game, while the Suns’ backbone was firm to keep a usually free-scoring Victory at bay for large parts.