Goulburn Valley Suns have continued their bright start to the pre-season with a solid result against Werribee City on Saturday afternoon.
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The Suns and the Bees played out a 1-1 draw at Shepparton’s McEwen Reserve.
The Goulburn Valley put in a strong showing in its fourth hit-out of the pre-season.
The Suns took the lead in the first half through Harun Aktas, but a red card had the Suns reduced to 10 players.
With an extra player on the park, City was able to equalise after the break as the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Suns coach Craig Carley said he was impressed with his side’s performance overall, adding the side deserved to come away with more than a draw.
“I was really, really pleased with the performance,” Carley said.
“We ended up drawing 1-1, but we were certainly the superior team. It is a really positive result.
“I thought the boys were very resilient and they stuck to it. To come away with a draw, I truly believe that if we had 11 on the pitch we would have won that game quite comfortably.”
There was plenty of action in the first half, with the Suns awarded a penalty inside the first five minutes.
Jamie England’s spot kick was denied by Werribee’s keeper, but the Suns didn’t have to wait much longer to hit the front.
Aktas found the back of the net 15 minutes in, giving the Suns a deserved lead.
But Goulburn Valley’s Ury Fernandez was shown a straight red card at the half-hour mark, forcing the Suns to survive the last 60 minutes down a player.
Carley said he was proud of the way the Suns defended, even though the Bees were able to draw level in the second half.
“We started really, really well. We were on top majorly in the first half-hour until we got the red card,” he said.
“Obviously then it was a resilient display defensively, making sure that we had two backs behind the ball and the boys were excellent.
“I really can’t fault any of their effort, commitment or work rate.”
It was a handy result for the Suns against an opponent that defeated them twice last season, but Carley said he was looking at more than just the result.
“For me, it was about seeing where our fitness is at in terms of opposition teams at this time of the year,” he said.
“Bearing in mind that Werribee’s season starts in two weeks and we are still six weeks out, I thought we just ran over the top of them, if I am being perfectly honest.
“The focus for us was really pressing the opposition when we didn’t have the ball and I thought the boys executed that plan brilliantly, I thought we were all over them.
“We dominated the battles and on another day I truly believe it would have been quite a comfortable win, but it was a good exercise nevertheless.”
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Jumping with joy: Ury Fernandez jumps before kicking off Saturday's clash against Werribee City. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 9
On the bounce: GV's Taku Hishida looks to control the ball against Werribee City. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 9
All smiles: Joe Adoo-Peters, right, shares a laugh with his teammates. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 9
Location location location: Geordie Lelliott sets the ball down as he gets ready to take a free kick. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 9
Hands up: Jamie England in action against Werribee City on Saturday. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 9
On the run: Joe Adoo-Peters dribbles through traffic. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 9
In control: Jamie England with the ball at his feet. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 9
Flying high: Jake Broklebank leaps as he contests a header. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 9
On the lookout: Taku Hishida looks to pass the ball to a teammate. Photo by Megan FisherThe Suns will continue their pre-season with games against Myrtleford on Tuesday night and Corio this weekend.
They had a win last month against the Shepparton All-Stars and Altona City.
The side will open its NPL 3 season when it takes on Boroondara Eagles at home on Saturday, March 18.
Meanwhile, the Suns’ junior NPL boys teams kicked off their home and away seasons at McEwen Reserve in Shepparton on Sunday.
The under-14, 15 and 18 boys were in action, but found the going tough against strong Bulleen Lions sides.
Anania Dieudonne scored, while Baraka Museme netted a brace for the under-15s, but the Suns fell to the Lions 7-3.
An own-goal got Goulburn Valley on the score sheet in a 6-1 loss in the under-18s, while the Lions were too strong in the under-14s as they earned a 20-0 win.