Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing needs to start making the most of its opportunities in the FV state league 2 north-west season.
The Reds are yet to win a match this season, but have had their chances in most matches to put more pressure on the opposition.
It was the case again on Saturday against Westvale, with the Reds losing 2-1 to Westvale.
Speaking to Hoppers Crossing Soccer Club TV, player Kevin Smart said they were their own worst enemy at the moment.
“It’s been the same story for the last four weeks, again you can say it every week that we’ve been the better side,” he said.
“Should have put chances away, but if you don’t, you get punished. We’ve got a big run for four matches of teams that are around us, mid table sides.
“The boys know if we stay as a collective group, we’ll stick together, start getting results, it’s coming.”
On Saturday, the Reds started the better of the two sides hitting the scoreboard in the seventh minute.
Smart said the good start had been something that they hadn’t done this season.
“We thought we did well in patches but again, young side we switched off and we got punished on two set pieces, other than that they didn’t create too much.”
Westvale, which hasn’t lost since 2021, scored twice before half time to take the lead.
Smart said both goals were pretty disappointing to concede.
“We got punished,” he said.
“It’s under-eight stuff. The boys need to have a hard look at themselves about little things like that because at the end of the day, we don’t cop those two goals and we win 1-0 nil and the first team to beat them in a year and half, and we don’t.”
Smart said coach Allan Vella also shared that message at half time, saying they had switched off on set pieces.
The Reds were unlucky not to get a penalty in the 58th minute from a possible hand ball that wasn’t called.
Westvale finished the game with 10 men, but the Reds weren’t able to capitalise.
The Reds this week face Epping City at home. Smart said having already lost two games at home, it was a must win match for the side.
In state league 3 north-west Point Cook upset Sunbury United on Saturday.
Alex Vlassis opened the scoring for the Jets in the 11th minute, before Sunbury hit back four minutes later.
Reardo Luka scored in the 28th minute to see the Jets regain the lead.
That would be enough for a 2-1 win.
The Jets now sit sixth on the table with two wins and two losses.
In state league 4, Truganina Hornets lost to Laverton 3-2.
All five goals came in the first half, with Laverton able to hold on despite playing the whole second half a man down.
In state league 5 west, West Point beat Lara United, Wyndham lost to Balmoral, while Tarneit United had a bye.
