Sport
13 July, 2023
Maryborough Soccer Club getting closer to breakthrough with young team proving competitive
After two draws in a row in a tough season for the Maryborough Soccer Club, there certainly isn’t much doubt that the young group is starting to gel in an exciting period for the team. That’s the belief of coach Johno Melton, who has overseen...
After two draws in a row in a tough season for the Maryborough Soccer Club, there certainly isn’t much doubt that the young group is starting to gel in an exciting period for the team.
That’s the belief of coach Johno Melton, who has overseen the club this season as they try and build from the ground up in what has been a rebuilding year.
However, there are still lessons to be learned, and in particular, learning how to win will be top of the agenda.
On Sunday, they had a golden opportunity to record their first win of the Ballarat District Soccer Association (BDSA) season when they were 2-0 up against Ballarat, but two second-half goals, including an own goal, cruelled their chances, and had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
After 20 minutes of stout defending in the first half, with goalkeeper Bayden Macintyre standing tall and making a bevy of saves, Maryborough found their way into the game, and were rewarded for their attacking instincts with the opening goal in the 38th minute through Julian Callea, who rose high to head the ball in from a corner.
Shortly afterwards, Maryborough were 2-0 up on the stroke of half time, when Brett Davy finished off a classy attacking move by finessing the ball past the Ballarat goalkeeper into the bottom right corner.
But goals to Jeremy Downes in the 58th minute, as well as an own goal to Callea in the 71st minute, ensured the points would be shared.
After a draw with Creswick in their previous game, it hasn’t helped Maryborough in their quest to avoid relegation, as they still sit five points behind Daylesford in last place.
But regardless of what happens, avoiding relegation is the last thing on Melton’s mind, much the same as it is for anyone at the Maryborough Soccer Club, who, to put things in perspective, weren’t going to field a team in the BDSA until the hard work of president Joelle Clinton, and husband Thomas, ensured that they would.
“We have a lot of young players and a lot of kids in the club, so it’s about getting some minutes into their legs, teaching them the way that I want them to play and then giving them the minutes to do that,” he said.
“The older guys have also been really good — we have a few guys over from England, and their leadership is making my job so much easier. We’re on the right track, and we’re getting there.
“The effort Tom and Joelle have put in the off-season to get a team, after we weren’t going to enter a team, people don’t really notice how much they do. We wouldn’t be playing without them, and I wouldn’t be coaching, so I’m really grateful.
“I’m not going to come and lie and say it’s been easy, it’s certainly been challenging, as is every coaching role. I’m doing my best, and it’s good to have a year off and not get injured. It’s good to teach the young guys as much as I can.”
In a season where Maryborough have found the back of the net 16 times, the least in the league, Melton found solace in the performances of Davy and Callea, who have scored three times each during the season.
“Our attacking threats, Brett especially, are class. He’s one of the guys that has come over from England, and he is so good. You give him an inch he’ll take it. He has a lot of good players around him too. Julian Callea is such an impressive kid, he’s only 21 and he’s really good, and he scored our other goal,” he said.
Melton says a change in formation has also contributed to Maryborough’s improvement in form and competitiveness in recent weeks, playing five players in defence instead of four.
Melton praised the work of experienced players such as Garry George and captain Neil Smyth for helping integrate the younger players into playing the formation comfortably.
“We have changed our formation in recent weeks, and we’ve gone with five men at the back. Two of those are two of our oldest blokes, and they are steady heads, who will help the younger guys by telling them what to do, where to be and what not,” he said.
“With Garry George and Neil Smyth there, it helps a lot. Hartaj Dhanju is another one, too.”
With all that in mind, and further games to be played at home against seventh-placed Vic Park and eighth-placed Daylesford in the back end of the season, Melton thinks their improved form means a win is just around the corner.
“It’s coming. If the young guys keep putting in those sorts of efforts, you never know. We have some winnable games coming up. Last game, we drew with Creswick, who are in fourth. But it can’t be too far away, surely,” he said.