It was a dry July for any strikeforce coming face to face with Hoppers Crossing goalkeeper Kieron Sharratt and his water-tight defence in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 north-west.
The Welshman has secured four consecutive clean sheets and gone more than a month without conceding a goal.
The impenetrable defensive unit is a key reason why the Reds remain seven points clear on top of the ladder.
The stingy boys at the back were at it again in a 4-0 win over North West Wolves at range Reserve on Saturday, although striker John Little grabbed a little of the spotlight for the Reds’ attack with a hat-trick.
Sharratt was a handy bonus for Hoppers Crossing this season.
The 20-year-old from Tarneit is in Australia on a working visa as a painter and decorator and when he searched the internet to find the nearest club he came up with two.
“I just wanted a game and thought it would be a way of meeting people,” Sharratt told Star Weekly.
“Werribee City was asking for emails and try-outs, so I called Steve [Lambrakakis], the president at Hoppers Crossing, and he was like ‘come down, have some fun and see what happens’. It’s worked out well.”
Sharratt has started in nine games and conceded just three goals and has already formed a bond with his defenders.
“Once they believe in you and you believe in them, you’re laughing,” he said.
Sharratt’s strengths are fast reactions and tidy distribution. And, like all good goalkeepers, he’s not afraid to make his voice heard.
“I always talk, even if there’s nothing to talk about,” he said. “I let them know I’m still awake. It helps them out because you can see everything, the full pitch is in front of you.”
Sharratt has fitted into the Reds’ culture seamlessly and believes the club’s togetherness is its biggest asset.
“They’re a welcoming club, family-oriented and close-knit. It’s not individuals, it’s one massive team, one massive club.”
Sharratt isn’t looking too far ahead. He prefers to wait until the end of the year before reflecting on what he’s achieved.
“If you’re thinking about the games ahead or games past, you lose concentration on the games at hand,” he said.
“We have to take it game by game, making sure of the result, making sure you turn up and do the business.”
