LAVERTON Park is skating on thin ice with six rounds left in the Football Federation Victoria men’s provisional league2 north-west season.
The Reds let slip a massive opportunity to escape from the relegation zone, drawing 1-1 with West Preston at Merton Street on Saturday.
Reds striker Vince De La Plaza said it was a game that his side bullied for the duration only to see all their hard work undone by a lack of cutting edge in attack.
“We had a lot of chances that we didn’t put away,” he said. “They went up and scored from a free kick. After that, they just sat back, closed the game down and were happy with a point.”
The Reds got the go-ahead goal through Jamie Marambio in the 15th minute. Marambio found the ball at his feet in the penalty box and needed no second invitation to ram it home.
He was easily the most productive player on the park for the Reds and deserved the adulation after scoring.
“At the start of the game, he did really well at the back, keeping everything tight,” De La Plaza said. “Then we pushed him into the midfield and he helped create opportunities in the second half.”
The Reds had to find avenues to goal after West Preston found an equaliser in the 20th minute.
They executed a perfectly struck free kick, leaving the Reds defence flat-footed, and jaws dropped.
But it was simply not to be for the Reds, who find themselves in second-last and fighting for their survival. Their destiny could be shaped this weekend when they visit third-last Northern Roosters on Saturday.
“It’s a must-win for us,” De La Plaza said.
“Every game is winnable. It’s such an even competition this year.”
