For Williamstown, it was another one that got away.
The Blues returned home with a point from a 1-1 draw with Point Cook in Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday, but that was not enough to appease coach Slobode Stojcevski.
A raft of gilt-edged chances missed made for a frustrating day for the Blues, who have drawn their past three matches – all games that Stojcevski saw as winnable.
“Every game we approach with a view of trying to win … home or away,” he said. “We missed a lot of easy opportunities.
“From that perspective, it was not satisfying … we should’ve won the game today.”
It was not a game in which Williamstown totally dominated the ball. The midfield battle was fairly even, but the Blues’ opportunities to score far outweighed those of the home side.
“The game itself was fairly even,” Stojcevski said. “It was a battle throughout the whole game and you’ve got to give Point Cook credit – they fought really hard.
“We happened to create five or six clear-cut opportunities where it was one-on-one with their keeper.
“The chances were in our favour and we blew them and blew the points because of that.”
Williamstown went down early to a goal from Point Cook’s Jonathan Dunn.
Dunn’s goal celebrations had barely died down when Williamstown hit back through Gorgi Niceski.
“It was literally from the kick off,” Stojcevski said. “They tried to push high and press us and we just went over the top and caught them out.
“Gorgi struck it from the edge of the box. It was a really good finish.”
The goals totally dried up thereafter.
Williamstown’s defence was in command, allowing Point Cook only long-range shots.
Blues defenders Adam Cefai and Ed Southerington were rock solid and goalkeeper Kier Zerner took care of any shots.
“I think the difference in the game was our central defensive group,” Stojcevski said.
“While it was an even game, we were able to snuff out every thrust they made and we were creating opportunities on the other side.”
Williamstown is still neither here nor there, sitting sixth with three wins, three draws and three losses.
The Blues can apply pressure on the top five clubs if they can notch a win over Upfield at JT Gray Reserve on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Altona Magic will take on Northcote City in the quarter-final stage of the FFA Cup tonight (Wednesday) at Paisley Park from 7.30pm.
If the Magic is successful, it will get a ball into the pot for the national round of 32, where it could be matched up with interstate or A-League opposition.
