The Sharks went a disappointing 0-7 to start the Illawarra Premier League season before finally getting off the mark with an important 2-0 win over Corrimal Rangers last weekend. They followed up the success with a penalty shootout victory over Oak Flats in the Bert Bampton Cup during the week to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

“I’d like think we’ve turned a corner,” McGoldrick said.

“It was the first time in a while we could pick close to the same side as the previous week.

“Before that it has been a pretty disruptive start with the squad for various reasons, but hoping things have taking a turn.

“That’s not just in our first grade team, but in the younger age groups as well.

“We’ve brought some guys through the grades and getting a stronger squad to work with.”

Woonona’s struggles to start the season are nothing new.

Had it not been for Kemblawarra Fury’s demise, the Sharks would have been relegated to the second division at the end of the last campaign.

McGoldrick wasn’t with the club at that time.

He only joined the Sharks when he parted ways with the newly promoted District League champions Fernhill Foxes.

After a rocky beginning at the helm, McGoldrick believes Woonona are finally starting to develop a winning formula again in the top flight.

“I think learning to win again was certainly part of it,” McGoldrick said.

“Personally I have come out of a situation where we won about 30 games across two season [with Fernhill] to then losing our first seven.

“It became only a matter of time where we would get something from a game and against Corrimal we were good.”

The Foxes play what shapes as one of their biggest matches of the campaign when they travel to fellow relegation battlers Picton Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

Both clubs have just one win to their name so far this season and are just three points clear of cellar dwellers South Coast United heading into the Hume Oval clash.

“It’s absolutely a big game,” McGoldrick said.

“We know they are not going to lay down.

“They are the team that would have sent this club back to the District League had it not been for the clubs folding above us.

“I’ve coach against them for many years.

“It will be tough but we will see it as an opportunity to get three points again.”

In other matches, Tarrawanna will back up from their memorable mid-week FFA Cup win when they host South Coast United.

Port Kembla play Bulli and Albion Park White Eagles meet Fernhill Foxes.

On Sunday, Cringila Lions take on Wollongong United and Wollongong Olympic travel north to Corrimal Rangers.