Scorpions sting Ospreys as coach challenges players for more

All football tragics know that the world game can be a cruel beast.

A team can play the best football of anyone in the competition, but be out of luck and have nothing to show for it.

It could be argued that Sawtell FC had fallen into that category over the first month of the Coastal Premier League Men’s competition.

But coach Joe Skrtic is hopeful a 3-2 victory over Southern United on Saturday can provide his players with some more confidence that enables them to build momentum and go on a handy run in coming weeks.

The Scorpions have surged into fourth spot on the ladder after two wins in the last three weeks.

“It’s the little things in football that we still need to improve on,” Skrtic said.

“We’ve got to start putting the ball in the back of the net. We’ve got to be more clinical in the final third so hopefully if we can keep working hard on that, the games and results will go our way.”

Sawtell have been one of the most improved teams so far this season, but defensive lapses have cost them dearly.

Skrtic knows they need to be better without the ball and that is what is currently preventing them from being classified with some of the top teams.

He knows the competition heavyweights are consistent for 90 minutes every week.

“We’ve been in some very close games and in the last 15-20 minutes concede a goal and lose the game,” he said.

“There are games where we say we should have won, but we’ve got to win. We can’t say we should of, you’ve got to do it.”

The coach has thrown his support behind his side that face Port Saints on Saturday.

“On any day our side is capable of beating the best team but it’s just having that consistency in the team,” he said.

“It’s going to do a lot for their confidence that’s for sure but we’re preparing for the next game.”