Equaliser a blow for top 6 hope

GEELONG SC once again conceded a late goal to drop vital points in an entertaining 1-1 draw against NPL2 Eastern Division leaders Eastern Lions at Gardiners Creek Reserve on Saturday.

With Brunswick City upsetting Northcote City 1-0, the Lions find themselves three points adrift of the top six in the Western Division.

Anything less than a top-six finish will condemn Geelong to a drop to the third-tier VPL2 league after the competition restructure in the off season.

James Conversano looked to have clinched a vital win for Geelong with a goal in the 72nd minute, but the “Battle of the Lions” had a late twist.

Ross Staley bobbed up with a goal in the 87th minute for the home side to provide an eerie feeling of deja vu to last week’s stoppage-time loss to promotion contenders Moreland Zebras.

It left frustrated Geelong coach Dom Barba with a sour taste, despite his team’s excellent performance against the high-flying Eastern Lions.

“Today was another missed opportunity to secure our topsix spot,” Barba said.

“The players are really playing well, it showed out there today against the top Eastern division side. But you make your luck, you just don’t get lucky.

“I know what these players are capable of. Unfortunately for this season, we may only achieve that what is below the standards we have set ourselves and that is to finish in the top six, rather than be the best team that we know we really can be.

“One thing is for certain, all of our immediate challengers for that top-six place will need to be at their very best if they are going to beat us to that ultimate prize.

“Trust me, this one will go down to the wire.”

The Lions now face a mustwin clash against third-placed Eastern division side Northcote City in their catch-up game this weekend.