South Coast United are finally on the board in 2021 after claiming their first Illawarra Premier league victory on Friday night.
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After jumping out to a 2-1 lead at half time, SCU held off a charging Cringila to claim victory in their round 10 clash at Crehan Park. Kieren Brodnik and Jamie Wakeling scored for the winners, while Jordan Prentoski found the back of the net for the Lions.
It was SCU's first IPL win since last September, and their second league victory since August 2019. The result also means United have moved within one point of Cringila on the ladder.
"It's definitely a good feeling. It's been a long time coming," SCU coach Greg Valic said.
"I think for a lot of games this year, we've done some really good things but maybe it hasn't been so noticeable because the scoreline has blown out, or we haven't been able to take advantage of some small moments.
"In saying that, there have been some games where we haven't been good enough. But I feel like this win has been reward for those good performances we've had which have been masked by some big scorelines."
Valic said from a coaching point of view, there was plenty of things that he was pleased with on Friday night.
"First of all, the attitude and mentality was good. It's difficult when you're in the position we're in where you're a constant underdog. Every game is difficult," he said.
"The mentality last night was really pleasing to see, especially from the young players. I laid out the ideas for how the game would go based on what I'd seen of Cringila in the past and it seemed to play out that way. The tactical discipline was another thing that I was pleased with. And to score some goals, to hold our nerve at the end and hold on with some desperate defending was great to see."
SCU had started their league campaign with nine straight defeats, conceding 34 goals while scoring just four of their own. The side came into Friday night's game on the back of a 6-0 loss to Bulli.
However, Valic said that first win would give his players a much-needed confidence boost.
"Even for me as a coach, I always had faith in the players and what we've been doing, but it's just reward for the efforts that has been happening week to week," he said.
"Hopefully now, especially for the young players, that win can re-instill the confidence in them that I've had in them the whole time, and we can push on from here and continue to get results."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
