NEW North United coach Ash Morris has no reservations about declaring his team a genuine premiership contender following an opening round victory over reigning Ballarat and District Soccer Association men’s division one champion Vikings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
North clinched a 2-1 win over its Sebastopol-based rival at St Georges Reserve on Sunday, with second-half goals to Chris Lee and Chris Beggs sinking the home side, which pulled one back through Daniel Hollingworth shortly before time.
When quizzed about his team’s hopes this season, Morris replied with one word: “premiership”.
“Definitely. There’s no doubt in my mind. We have got a lot of depth as well. A few players missed out on the weekend because they haven’t been at training early enough.
“We have a policy that if you don’t train, you don’t play,” he said.
Morris said North United, bundled out in the opening weekend of last year’s finals series, had plenty of room for improvement after a delayed pre-season.
“Basically, we are just tying to play good football and smart football, none of this long ball stuff. The more you hold on to the ball, the more likely you are going to score,” Morris said.
North now prepares for a round two encounter against 2012 Cup winner Warrnambool, which opened its season with a 4-1 win away from home against Ballarat.
A brace from Nick Van Rooy helped the Rangers to victory, with other goals coming from Dechlan Picken and Joshua Bourke.
But Warrnambool’s convincing performance wasn’t enough to secure it top spot on the ladder, with Vic Park holding that honour following a 5-0 win over Forest Rangers at Morshead Park.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au
