Tara Murray
Hoppers Crossing needs to clean up some silly mistakes if it is to close the gap with the top sides in the FV state league 2 north-west.
The Reds faced ladder leaders Clifton Hill on Saturday at home and for large periods of the game matched them.
But mistakes at key moments proved costly with the Reds losing 3-0.
Reds’ Kevin Smart told HCSC TV after the game that they would take plenty of positives out of the game.
“They are a good side and I thought for 75 minutes we kept our shape and composure and tried to frustrate them,” he said.
“I think that we did and then again slacked off and a bit of mental not really thinking, we copped an easy goal just before half time.
“The first half I thought we played well and kept shape, try and frustrated them, played long bball, worked hard against the wind, i tight we didn well,
“It was just those last 5-6 minutes that got tired. They showed their class and you can tell some of their boys have been playing at the top level for so many years.”
Smart said the message at half time was that silly mistakes can prove costly and that they needed to tighten up a bit in defence.
Clifton Hill scored a second in the 55th minute before the icing on the cake in the dying minutes.
The Reds had their chances to find a couple of goals, but missed their opportunity, including one by Smart.
Smart said Clifton Hill showed why they would likely win the title this year. He said his team needs to strive to get better and reach that standard.
“It was a learning curve for the young kids,” he said. “They young boys have stepped up the last four weeks and been very good and I thought we were very good today
“A couple of patches here and there, they showed their class and showed that they will win the league.
“These kids are 21-22 and they have 10 years to learn [that.]. It will hold us in good stead for the next couple of years and the next couple of weeks.”
The Reds sit in ninth spot, still well and truly in the mix for the relegation battle.
Smart said they have a couple of big weeks on the road that they need to win to push themselves away from the relegation battle.
“We have two big games away from home, Westvale and Epping [City]. If we get some results there we push up to mid table and away from relegation.
“Twenty points normally safety mark, hopefully six points from the next two games if not we’re back here for the big one against Cairnlea.”
