Hat-trick hero: Justin Riescher (left) scored three goals as Goulburn Valley Suns secured their first three points of the season on Saturday night.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Forget fungicide; Goulburn Valley Suns have stopped the rot and goals were the remedy.
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With a dismal record spiral of five straight losses in mind, up stepped American import Justin Riescher to belt a hat-trick against Doveton at McEwen Reserve and cauterize a spreading wound within the Suns camp.
The Orangemen didn’t extend the olive branch to the Doves, but rather played them off the park in a 3-0 fireworks display which could have had more goals.
Saturday’s contest was one for the fans — chances left and right, epic goals and no shortage of comical moments — yet it took some time for the contest to really spark to life.
Top gear: GV Suns' Marcus Thomas.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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On your toes: Doveton's Andres Jerez and GV Suns' Noah Cicoria.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Pick a pass: GV Suns' Zac Balaburov.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Striding out: GV Suns' Harun Aktas.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Get it under: GV Suns' Greg Nash.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Stooping low: GV Suns' Justin Riescher.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Both sides had their fair share of said opportunities early on, but with neither defence looking likely to keel over, it was obvious it would take something from the top drawer to differentiate the two.
The moment almost arrived off the boot of Elijah Brooker, whose sizzling half-volleyed hit from the edge of the box wobbled the crossbar midway through the first term.
However, the home fans didn’t have to wait much longer to jump from their seats.
A ball from the left floated right through the corridor of uncertainty and onto Riescher’s head, nodding true past the Doveton keeper to nudge the Suns into a rare lead.
It sweetened what perhaps may have been a neutral team talk from coach Craig Carley, who instructed his men to up the ante in the second half.
Thankfully for the Englishman, his troops obliged.
The Suns ran rings around Doveton in the following 45 minutes, though it did not take anywhere close to the full half for the hosts to double their lead.
Riescher embarked on a surging run forward, but was halted abruptly as he was chopped down inside the box after eating up space like a supernova.
With a goal already to his name, the American picked up the ball, placed it on the spot and rippled the net to secure the brace.
Though a string of opportunities went begging for the Suns, moments before the referee began reaching for his whistle for full-time, one thankfully stuck.
A wicked turn and drive from teenage substitute Laywi Niyonkuru on the right side afforded the winger enough time to whip a ball across the face to be belted home by Riescher at the coalface.
It sent the Suns camp wild and rightly so, as it put an end to a torrid run for the Orangemen seven rounds into the 2024 season.
This weekend’s home fixture is another six-point clash as the Suns welcome ninth-placed Box Hill to McEwen Reserve.
