Goals drive Spiranovic
Galaxy can close gap with Bayside win
Kaye made his debut for the Eagles last week, coming on in the second half in the 2-2 draw with table-topping Whittlesea United.
In addition to his arrival, the Hume Reserve club has clearly signalled its intentions to further strengthen its playing corps with one eye firmly fixed on promotion to next season’s State 1 competition.
This week, Corio president Mario Gregorio revealed the club was close to signing a 22- year-old midfielder/striker from Spanish fourth division side CUC Villalba in Madrid.
“We are serious about promotion and we are looking to strengthen the squad on the back of the departure of Canadian import Etan Gage to NPL side Bentleigh Greens,” Gregorio said.
“We are now becoming a destination club to help players progress to the higher leagues in Australia and, as president, I’m more than happy with that.”
Before that eventuates, however, Corio coach Ante Didulica’s mind is firmly focused on the showdown with Rangers.
“It’s a derby and every derby is going to be fiery. With Ronnie (Clayson) coming up against us it’ll add even more spice to the contest. But in the end, we have got everything to play for and one thing’s for certain it is going to be a cracker of a game,” Didulica said. GALAXY captain Laura Spiranovic is eyeing a big finish as her side pushes towards WNPL finals.
The United attacker has found the back of the net seven times from 17 games, but knows she can score more.
And those extra goals will be crucial in the run into finals, with Galaxy sitting four points outside the WNPL’s top four with 10 games to play.
“I’m pretty hard on myself. Obviously it’s disappointing, the position we are at on the ladder, and I would like to score some more goals,” Spiranovic said.
“But in saying that the season is far from over, there’s some opportunities to score more.”
Sunday’s clash with Bayside United is an important one in the context of the season.
Bayside sits three points ahead of Galaxy in fifth spot, but the Torquay side has a game in hand.
It puts it in a good position to put a gap between it and Bayside if they can secure three points on the road.
“Obviously it’s getting to a critical part of the season where there’s a bit of pressure to secure three points as we continue to chase that fourth position,” Spiranovic said.
“We have continued to work hard in training with our conditioning and tactical side of things.
“We will tackle it (Bayside) the same. We got the result against them last time, but it’s always hard work (playing Bayside).
“Any team can take points off you. We have to be on our game and so will they.”
Bayside finds itself in a horrible patch of form, securing only one point out of a possible 21 in the past seven weeks.
Galaxy, however, is starting to hit its straps, winning its past two games.
“It’s been good. The players are professional, we have a good group and good team morale,” Spiranovic said.
“Even despite those losses throughout the season we have continued to work hard, work as a team and do our best to win games.”
Galaxy will be boosted by the return of Lujeyn AlHuneidi from injury. Spiranovic has been playing out on the left in Al-Huneidi’s absence and has enjoyed the fresh challenge.
Whether she stays out wide or moves more centrally following her teammate’s return is yet to be decided.
“I’m not sure what Kat has in mind exactly,” Spiranovic said.
“I’m just happy to play whatever position. Lu Lu is quite versatile in that regard as well.
“We will find ourselves interchanging throughout the game which would be an advantage.
“Hopefully we get some goal scoring opportunities we can put away.”