Goulburn Valley Suns, having peppered Box Hill United’s goal for 90 minutes straight at Wembley Park, were undone by a single counter-attack as the host emerged a 1-0 victor in the round 10 Victorian Premier League Two clash.
Agustin Casco’s 69th minute sucker punch to the solar plexus handed the Orangemen their fourth defeat of the season and a slightly concerning trend is starting to show.
All of those losses have arrived on the road.
While the Suns are virtually flawless at Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve, winning four and drawing once, a one-draw, four-loss away record is a clear chink in the armour as the halfway point nears.
Coach Craig Carley has flagged the issue as a fixer-upper, but remains firm in the philosophy of ruthlessness in front of goal as a prime performance indicator.
“It is a conversation that has come up with the boys — is there anything we need to change — but ultimately, we prepare the same way for every game, we make it as predictable as we can,” he said.
“I guess we just need that clinical, ruthlessness in the final third to kill games off.
“We’ve had plenty of chances, we’ve missed a penalty, their keeper’s had a blinder; I can’t fault anything the boys have done apart from put the ball in the back of the net.
“Unfortunately, it’s one of those things and it’s a game of missed chances and if we are to live up to what we want to achieve, we do need to be picking up these points and killing off teams like Box Hill.”
The Suns had the lion’s share of possession and chances throughout the first half on Saturday night, but couldn’t convert as the half-time score read nil-all.
Brandon Giaccherini had a gilt-edged chance to spear his side ahead, but he was unable to convert from the penalty spot early in the second period.
And if Box Hill needed an invitation to make its lucky stars count, this was it.
A fleeting break against the run of play saw the ball spun out right, whipped into the mixer for Casco to cut inside and bury for the lead.
Though the Suns tugged and tore at Box Hill in the final 20 minutes, yet United’s defence would not part as the host held on for a hard-fought three points.
“I think it’s a game we were well on top of and in control, but ultimately, if you have 21 attempts on goals, you’ve got to be scoring,” Carley said.
“Box Hill had a very set game plan in terms of sitting in and defending, then looking to catch us on the counter.
“They had one shot in the second half and scored from that. It’s obviously disappointing not to get the points, but I can’t fault the boys’ endeavour.
“We’ve just got to have that ruthless streak in us to be able to break down teams that are prepared to sit and soak up pressure.”
After 10 rounds, the Suns now sit sixth, with an Easter bye arriving this weekend before the next match against Essendon Royals at home.
The fourth-ranked Royals boast league top-scorer and gun Irish midfielder Graham Kelly, (seven goals), and Carley is eagerly awaiting the challenge looming on April 26.
“They’ve got a lot of experience in that back line and going forward they can be clinical,” Carley said.
“They’re probably a similar side to us in terms of wanting to play football and wanting to play on the front foot.
“We’ve given the boys the week off; it’s been a heavy load this last seven days with three games, so hopefully the boys can recover, rejuvenate and get back on the grass next week and really give Essendon a good going.”
