EAGLEHAWK coach Greg Thomas feels the Hawks are positioning themselves nicely for a crack at a third-consecutive Bendigo Amateur Soccer League men’s championship.
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The Hawks make the trek to Moama this Sunday to tackle a buoyant Border Raiders, who are fresh from registering their first victory of the season last weekend against Golden City.
Eaglehawk overcame a gritty Colts United to win 1-0 at Truscott Reserve and took advantage of Strathdale’s second straight draw to move to within one point of the ladder-leading Blues.
Thomas, who led the Hawks to back-to-back championships in 2016-17, conceded his side was well below its best against Colts, but was happy with their ability to dig deep and find a way to win.
“The performance wasn’t the best, but the main thing was to get to the three points,” he said.
“It (the ladder) has tightened right up now, but at the end of the day we just have to keep winning and worry about ourselves.
“We can’t worry about other teams, we need to take care of what we can and see what happens.”
For a team heading into the weekend with seven wins, one loss and one draw, Thomas believes there plenty is of scope for improvement within his side.
He is expecting Moama-Echuca to be a much tougher challenge than its one win-five losses-three draws records indicates.
“They had a good win by all reports and they will be that little bit tougher on their home ground,” he said.
“All the teams, which finished down towards the bottom last year, have all strengthened and are a lot more competitive, which is really good for the league.
“The way things are this year, anyone can beat anyone on any given week, so we just need to do what we can do and be there at the end of the year.
“The pleasing thing for us is that it’s been a real team performance this year, there’s been no real standouts.
“We are really light on for numbers this year and we don’t have the depth we have had in recent years, so as a team we are really battling away and fighting for each other.”
Meanwhile, Colts United and Strathdale kick-start round 11 with a Saturday game at Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve, at 5pm.
On Sunday, Golden City hosts Shepparton United at Shadforth No. 1, Shepparton South clashes with Spring Gully United and McEwen Reserve, and Epsom and Shepparton lock horns at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve.
Tatura has the bye.
In the women’s championship, Shepparton United (8-1) enters the weekend at the top of the league ladder, three points clear of an in-form Colts United (7-2) and Shepparton South (6-2-1).
