Werribee City coach Sergio Sabbadini was left with a lot to ponder after Saturday’s unsatisfying 1-1 draw with Brunswick City.
The club’s PS4 NPL2 west home opener at Galvin Park on Saturday was the Bees’ second draw from as many games to start the new season and Sabbadini was not impressed with aspects of his side’s play.
Despite the season being only 180 minutes old, Sabbadini has put his first team players on notice.
“There’s just not enough desperation,” Sabbadini said. “Maybe it requires a change in personnel, a bit of a freshen up, just to keep everyone on their toes.”
Werribee City broke the deadlock after half-time through summer signing Darcey Den Ouden.
The former Yarraville Glory frontman latched on to a through ball and tucked it home after a slight deflection.
Den Ouden was one of the shining lights for the Bees, stepping up in the absence of striker Jonathan Voulgaris, who injured his hamstring at training earlier in the week and will be out for a minimum 21 days.
“It was more responsibility on Darcey and he took it well,” Sabbadini said. “He worked his socks off and it was a good reward for him to get a goal.
“The future is good for him if he just keeps working because his speed is blistering – no one can keep up with him. He’s certainly given us a good avenue to goal.”
While Den Ouden finished off that chance, a swag of opportunities went begging for Werribee City, much to the frustration of the home fans.
“We had six or seven good chances to score,” Sabbadini said. “A combination of their ’keeper and bad shooting – we just couldn’t convert them.”
Brunswick City made the home side pay for those missed chances.
The Wicks found an equaliser through in-form striker Adam Wright in the 65th minute.
“The goal that we conceded was a comedy of errors, schoolboy defending,” Sabbadini said. “We were cruising at the time. It was a harmless cross that went to the far post and certain things needed to happen, but didn’t. It was the softest of goals.”
Werribee City kept pressing for a late winner, but they was denied time and again by Wicks goalkeeper Sebastian Mattei.
Cameron Davies thought he had secured all three points for the Bees, but Mattei pulled off an incredible save.
“It was nearly over the line and he’s reached back mid-air and, I don’t know how, he’s clawed it out,” Sabbadini said.
“It’s one of those fantastic saves and it gave them a point.”
Werribee City will travel to Chaplin Reserve to face Sunshine George Cross on Saturday.
Lance Jenkinson
