Sporting Whittlesea is not hitting the panic button despite coming back to the pack in FFV state league 2 north-west.
The early-season ladder leaders have fallen to fourth on the ladder after a draw, followed by a 1-0 loss to Banyule on Saturday.
Coach Kevin Theuma said the result wasn’t reflective of how Sporting played.
“It was actually one of our better games for the year and we were a bit unlucky not to get something,” he said.
“We outplayed them and missed a penalty with one minute to go and they converted their penalty.
“There were easy chances and some reasonable chances and a draw would have been the right result.”
Not helping Sporting Whittlesea’s cause is a number of players missing.
“There are six or seven players out injured or overseas,” Theuma said.
“All the guys who have come in have stepped up.
“But not having all the players means we’ve been down to only 12 or 13 to pick from, which doesn’t give you options to change things.
“We are hoping everyone will be back after the break next week.”
Theuma said the side still had a top-three finish in mind.
“I’m not really worried about the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“I’m not going to make wholesale changes, as most of the time we’re still playing well.”
Hume United lost to Geelong 3-0 in other state league 2 north-west results.
United remains ninth on the ladder.
In FFV state league 3 north-west, LaTrobe University had a 4-3 win over Williamstown, while Lalor United defeated Darebin United 3-2.
Whittlesea United shocked Hoppers Crossing with a 1-1 draw and it was the same scoreline between the Western Eagles and Upfield.
Upfield is third on the ladder, Lalor United fifth, LaTrobe University sixth and Whittlesea United is seventh.
In state league 4 north, Epping City won 2-1 against West Preston, Plenty Valley Lions had a 2-2 draw with Northern Falcons, Bundoora United and Watsonia Heights played a scoreless draw and Greenvale United lost 3-1 to Fawkner.
