GV Suns' Curtis Hughes celebrates with teammates.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
GV Suns talisman Callum Schorah set his side on the path to a historic victory against Werribee City which ensured automatic promotion to the Victorian Premier League 1.
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Heading into round 24 on August 15, the proposition for the Shepparton side was simple: win and passage would be secured to the state’s top tier.
With the stakes high, a carnival atmosphere built down at John McEwen Reserve, as supporters donned in the club’s navy blue colours made every effort to inspire their heroes to glory on home turf.
A spellbinding run consisting of a single defeat since March had catapulted to within three points of the promised land, but Craig Carley’s boys had to be patient as they went in search of the spoils in front of an expectant crowd.
The first half proved to be a goalless war of attrition between the Suns and their 11th-placed opponents, with Werribee aiming to spoil the party following their 250km trip up from Melbourne.
Still, the Bees would have been all too aware that they were in for a long evening when Dau Akol’s dismissal meant that they would have to play the rest of the game with 10 men as they looked to prevent further damage by forming a low block.
“It was a very nervy game, I could sense that in the warm-up and you could tell that was having an influence,” Carley said of the first 45 minutes.
“In a way, the task was made harder when they went down to 10 men because it just changed the game plan completely, and they were just looking for ways to survive.”
Some stirring words of wisdom from coach Carley at half time proved decisive for the hosts, with midfield maestro Schorah eventually breaking the deadlock just two minutes following the interval.
“We had to find some solutions to break Werribee down and I felt we were too direct from back to front in the first half,” Carley said.
“That was playing into their hands so the message was to relax, lower their eyes and shorten the game up.
“Thankfully, Callum stepped up in the first couple of minutes and produced as he always does.”
From there, the Suns boss’ tactical acumen was showcased as he introduced Xavier Black and Sean Grant from the bench, while Werribee were tasked with attempting to stave off capitulation after Felipe Sanchez received a second yellow.
Reduced to just eight outfield players by this point, the visitors finally wilted in the fifth minute of added time as Curtis Hughes put the seal on the victory for the Suns to guarantee promotion to the VPL 1.
Naturally, the final whistle sparked rapturous celebrations among players and supporters alike, while staff members on the sidelines also basked in the success of a landmark season.
Speaking following the game, coach Carley was jubilant as he reflected on his side’s composed performance, while setting his sights on silverware in the final two games of the campaign.
“We can now focus on the next two games and trying to win the championship, it’s in our hands now,” he said.
“It’d be nice to cap off the year with that championship.”
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