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FC Bendigo playing coach Steve Martin says many lessons were learnt on and off the soccer pitch in the club's first year in the National Premier League Victoria division one championship.
An exciting finish was capped in Sunday's two-goal victory on home turf against Sunshine George Cross at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
Injury meant Martin was on the sidelines instead of in defence for the finale to the season.
FC Bendigo had achieved an unbeaten run in September and was determined to chalk up its ninth victory and fifth at home.
Defences were well on top, but a George Slefendorfas double ensured the winning run would roll on.
"Today's match was a lot like our season," Martin said.
"In the first half we had the breeze, but didn't play to plans often enough or well enough.
"We were second to the ball, were not patient when he had possession and gave up too many turnovers.
"To the boys' credit they really took on what was said at the half-time break and began to play like they had been in the previous three wins.
"Because we were playing into the wind it was important to not blaze away into attack, get numbers back to support the defence and put in a lot of second and third efforts."
FC Bendigo's play was rewarded by two late goals.
Martin said a lot had been gained across the last four or six weeks of the season.
"To finish with nine wins is a fantastic achievement," the coach said.
"We put a squad together just six weeks before the season kicked off and go into next year knowing a lot more about each and every player and what's required to compete at this level."
