Sutherland Sharks’ unbeaten season – 22 and counting
Brian Brown?s men have been in scintillating form from the start of the 2008 campaign, and even in their most recent match ? Round 16 encounter against Sydney United ? the team from the Shire has no intention of letting up.
?It has been a great season to this point and I am certainly very happy with the performance of my players throughout the season,? commented coach Brian Brown following the Sharks? 22nd match of the campaign without defeat over 90? minutes. Only a loss to Sydney Olympic in the Johnny Warren Cup Final, in extra-time, has tarnished that remarkable achievement.
In Round 16, the Sharks seemed ?gone and buried? by a very impressive Sydney United side that led 2-0 with less than ten minutes remaining.
In a final push to salvage their unbeaten record, and ensure their closest rivals did not close the gap on the ladder, Sutherland produced a remarkable ?one-two counter-punch? with goals arriving via the boots of Michael Katz and Brad Boardman respectively –
Boardman?s effort arriving in the 94? minute.
?The draw tonight (Saturday against Sydney United) has proven the heart these players possess. We didn?t start the match very well and we gave away two soft goals ? the opening goal through slack marking and again for the penalty.
?I was glad with the way we responded though and very happy that we left Sydney United with a point at least.?
Sutherland Sharks? evening turned for the better with the introduction of midfield pairing Matthew Hall and Nick Stavroulakis midway through the second-half, with the latter providing the ?killer cross? for Boardman?s equaliser.
?I was very happy with the work of both these players because it really did pay off for us,? continued Brown.
?We weren?t using the wings very well in the first-half though I thought the second-half we introduced this to our play. I was very happy with the outcome.?
Stavroulakis? season has been hampered by injury following a knee problem early in the campaign, though the crafty midfielder is certainly pushing for a starting spot following his recent impact coming off the bench.
?I am happy with my form lately, I?m obviously working hard on my fitness and I still want to get that a little bit higher,? commented Stavroulakis.
?The team has been playing really well and we deserved to get at least a point against Sydney United tonight ? so all the boys are ecstatic about that.?
-By Joseph Carlucci
