HOPPERS Crossing was made to pay for its lack of killer instinct in a 1-1 draw with Surf Coast in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
The Reds controlled large swathes of the contest and had numerous chances to double the half-time lead provided by striker Alister Smart.
But they would have to settle for a frustrating split of the points, conceding a late goal to Adrian Bond.
“It was just one of those games,” Reds coach Alfonso Opazo told the Weekly. “We dominated large patches of the game and the score doesn’t reflect the performance.
“When you get the opposition coach saying you outplayed us and you only come away with a point, it’s a bit disappointing and the boys took it as a loss.”
The Reds gained plenty of momentum from midfield duo Kevin Smart and Brian Chesson.
They provided quality delivery to the front line, but the hard work was only seldom rewarded.
“They’ve got a good under- standing,” Opazo said. “Both of them again played well and kept the ball for long periods of time.”
Michael McDowell offered plenty of bite on the left wing and teenager James Kearney impressed in his first start of the season.
While Smart was busy up front and scored the Reds’ only goal, it was a blunt attack for most of the game.
There were chances aplenty for the Reds’ front line, but they were scuppered time and again by a combination of inept finishing and good goalkeeping.
“We had a lot of chances, even one-on-ones with the keeper,” Opazo said.
“We didn’t put them away.
“We didn’t finish them and then they go down the other end and score one.
“If you don’t kill a team off, it can bite you on the bum.”
On the bright side, the Reds are unbeaten in five games and have picked up 11 of a possible 15 points in that time.
They have jumped to eighth on the table, four points above the relegation zone.
“We’ve been building for a while,” Opazo said. “The boys are starting to play the brand of football that I want them to play.
“That’s basically quick-touch, move, the football always looking to go forward, and they’re doing that for a consistent time in the game now.”
The Reds will face a stern test in second-placed Brunswick Zebras back at the Grange on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Reds will host their inaugural past players’ day on August 10 when top dogs Corio come to town.
Reds event co-ordinator Jarred Redmond has put the call out for past players, coaches, officials and supporters to join the club in recognising its proud 42-year history.
The club’s links with the local community are strong and it plans to ‘give back’ with an annual charity day planned for September 14.
