GV Suns head coach Craig Carley has praised his all-conquering troops following another commanding league victory - this time over Kingston City.
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Delighting the adoring home crowd at John McEwen Reserve, the boys in navy blue put in a dominant display to run out 2-0 winners against the visitors from Clayton South, sparking rapturous scenes of celebration out on the park.
Coming into the clash, the Shepparton side had ample reason for optimism after a bumper few weeks which saw them pull off a 2-1 giant-killing in round four of the Australia Cup against Green Gully, alongside recording back-to-back league wins.
The Suns are enjoying a true purple patch currently, having put Nunawading City and Moreland City in quick succession in late March as they emerged as potential VPL2 title contenders.
Following a goalless first half, the hosts finally made the breakthrough in the 63rd minute, with Liam Kielty firing his side into a deserved lead just after the hour mark after pouncing upon a loose ball in the Kingston box.
“The first half performance was unbelievable and the only thing missing was a goal,” Carley said, revealing what he said to his players at the interval to inspire his boys to victory in the final 45.
“I just said to keep playing on the front foot, keep playing with intent and desire and full credit to the boys, they’ve been all-in from the start of pre-season.
“They’re starting to get the rewards now with consistent performances, we understood that Kingston may have a spell in the game where they would try and get back into it but we didn’t take our foot off the gas - the boys were relentless.
“To limit a team like Kingston to only three shots - all off target - to our 27 in the game is a reflection of how the game went and they’ve only conceded eight all season.”
With the battle at a stalemate, skipper Kielty caught the visitors napping, steering the ball home after finding space at the back post, nodding it home before peeling away in celebration.
“Our captain has taken his game to a new level,” the Suns boss said, purring over the defender’s all-round display.
“He’s stepped up as a leader this season and also in his performances, he’s like a man-mountain.
“But I can’t just give credit to the back four, the defending starts from the front and collectively, the way they hunt as a team in units is a credit to the boys.”
The momentum was very much with Carley’s charges by this stage in proceedings and they were able to capitalize once again just eight minutes later as the free-scoring Curtis Hughes doubled his team’s advantage.
Striking what proved to be the fatal blow in the contest, the forward notched his fifth goal in his last three league outings with a 30-yard piledriver as he demonstrated his class once more with a sumptuous long-range finish.
Hughes looked like he had all the time in the world as he got the ball out of his feet in the opposition’s final third before picking his spot and unleashing an immaculately-placed strike past the flailing Kingston keeper Lachlan Hart.
“It was a great finish and just reward for his performance,” Carley said of the attacker’s memorable goal in the 71st minute.
“His mum and family was over from New Zealand so it was really pleasing for him to put on a showing like that - he’s been unenviable, a revelation this year.
“He could be the difference between us being a good side and a promotion side.”
Three more points in round eight of the VPL2 means that the Suns occupy second place in the ladder, with a trip to Keysborough to face Springvale White Eagles next on the agenda for the high-flying Shepp side on April 18.
“It’s all about staying consistent, winning is a habit,” Carley added, previewing the clash.
“This weekend is going to be just as tough on a difficult pitch against a team with an awkward style that likes to play direct and big so we have to be up for that challenge now.”