JUNEE’s first grade men’s soccer team is on a high after bumping third-placed Tolland to fourth spot on Sunday.
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To knock off one of the top teams has really given everyone confidence coming into the next few weeks.
- Jaguars coach Isaac Cooper
The Jaguars came back from 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Junee, who won the premiership last season, have been ravaged by injuries all year and were missing five players on the weekend.
The club’s dire health situation has dropped it from seventh place with five wins, seven losses and one draw.
But the Jaguars’ win over Tolland was a welcome reminder of what the reigning premiers are capable of.
Coach Isaac Cooper says his club will carry the momentum from the weekend into this Saturday’s clash with Wagga United at Rawlings Park.
“To knock off one of the top teams has really given everyone confidence coming into the next few weeks,” Cooper said.
“Everyone really dug deep for the full 90 minutes to get the job done.”
Junee’s comeback proved the resolve required to win last season’s premiership still remains within the team.
“I was very happy with the commitment that everyone showed,” Cooper said.
“To come back like that took an unreal level of belief from the guys.”
The victory may also spark Junee’s bid for the Pascoe Plate, which is contested by teams placed fifth through eighth at the end of the regular season.
“Winning the plate would be a good way to finish off the season,” Cooper said.
“It’s something the boys will really start looking at in the coming weeks.”
But the team’s focus remains on finishing the regular season strongly and winning this week’s game against Wagga United.
Cooper is confident he’ll lead a substantially different side into battle on Saturday to the one which lost it’s previous match-up with Wagga 3-2.
“We’ve got things clicking a lot more since then and our confidence is better,” Cooper said.
“Last week you could see that our heads didn’t drop when we were down.
“We just kept powering on and everyone had the belief that if we got one goal we could get a couple more and win the game.”
Junee’s Kurt Tinnock will return from injury this weekend, while Nick Jones and Travis Weir are 50-50 chances to return from foot ailments.
Jay Omara and Matt Carvosso will be missing with ankle injuries.
“All the boys will absolutely be confident after last week’s comeback win,” Cooper said.
