Lift your game or you'll be back in the reserves.
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That was the message Strathdale coach Jon Bryers gave his attacking players after Saturday's BASL division one clash with Epsom.
The Blues defeated the bottom side 2-1, but they made the job harder for themselves by a lack of polish in the final third.
"In the last month we'd only played one game which makes things hard, but it's not an excuse,'' Bryers said.
"We've got to be better than that. It was a woeful finishing performance by us and Epsom is a better side than what the ladder shows.
"We created a lot of opportunities, but didn't make the most of them. I spoke to the boys before and after the game that we have players in the reserves scoring goals for fun.
"If you're not performing we have other players to come in and fill the role. It doesn't matter if you're the biggest name of if you've scored the most goals, it's all about current form."
Matt Gallagher opened the scoring in the 29th minute and Sam Farr doubled the lead midway through the second half.
In the 82nd minute, Epsom jumped on a Blues' error and Ben Williams scored to ensure Strathdale had a nervous final 10 minutes.
The win lifted Strathdale to the top of the ladder with 25 points - one clear of Moama-Echuca. The two sides meet in Moama this Saturday after their clash earlier in the season was washed out.
Moama-Echuca and third-placed Eaglehawk had the bye at the weekend.
Fourth-placed Tatura moved to within one point of Eaglehawk after disposing of Golden City 3-0.
Tristan Zito, Jordan Leocata and Thomas Leech found the back of the net for Tatura.
The draw opens up for Tatura over the next month and it has the chance to put pressure on the Blues, Raiders and Hawks.
Shepparton South and Shepparton United remain in fifth and sixth place respectively after scoring impressive wins on Sunday.
Shepparton South defeated crosstown rival Shepparton 3-0, while Shepparton United belted La Trobe University 8-1.
In the women's championship, 48 goals were scored in six games.
Old rivals Spring Gully and Colts United played out an 11-goal thriller at Stanley Avenue.
It was all about the Berry family, with Rebecca and Sara Berry scoring all eight of Colts' goals.
After scoring 13 goals the previous week, Rebecca found the back of the net seven times against the Reds.
Paige Conder scored twice for Spring Gully and Leila Bartolo added the third in the 90th minute.
The Edlin family came to the fore in Eaglehawk's 8-0 win over Swan Hill.
Charlotte, Grace and Carnie Edlin scored four goals between them in the big win.
Tara Archbold and Rosie Neylon rounded out the victory with two goal each.
Strathdale stayed in touch with the top four by defeating Epsom 5-0.
A hat-trick to Maddy McGrory was the highlight of the win, while Bridget Meadows and Eva Harrington added the other two goals.
Golden City jumped to seventh on the ladder on the back of a Letesha Bawden goal against Tatura.
Title favourite Shepparton United posted an 8-1 win over La Trobe University, while Shepparton South put 14 goals past bottom side Shepparton.
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