By Pathi Raj
praj@sunraysiadaily.com.au
MILDURA City need two more wins to take the Football Federation Sunraysia (FFS) Senior Men’s S-League title, but Irymple Knights believe they can build on the nil-all draw the last time these sides met, and prove their play sits closer to the competition’s benchmark side than standings indicate.
Redemption arcs might be overused in sport, but the 9-1 loss to City in May hit Knights players hard. Ever since, Irymple striker Chris Romeo said the focus had been trust and confidence – on the notion that a side “that wins and loses the ball together” is a well-connected team.
That belief has resulted in three wins in their past four games and, importantly, a well-fought draw with City in July when a cross-bar strike and near misses in front kept City and Knights tied.
Romeo believes his side learnt a lot from the draw, and sees the key to the Knights going one step further is to remain “accountable” to one another, and to take the opportunity when it comes their way in Sunday’s round 10 clash.
“Sometimes you don’t get a look all game, you might get one opportunity. And that’s the opportunity you need to bury,” he said.
“Those small margins can win you games”.
Mildura City come into the match with a formidable streak and, while they’ll have to focus on playing their own game, they will also need to contend with an impressive attacking trio of Christian Pollifrone, Lukas Pedder and Nicolas Woods and an offence that has only failed to hit the score sheet once this year – against Irymple.
Three Colours and Nichols Point meet in the other Senior Men’s game while in Senior Women’s, Nichols Point will look to bridge the gap between themselves, in third, and second-placed Mildura City.
Three Colours will look to take it to top side Irymple Knights. Northern Suns have the bye.
