It's Double Or Nothing
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday September 13, 2008
CONISTON Lions face a simple equation if they want to avoid Illawarra Premier League relegation this weekend - win. Twice.
The Lions enter the season's final weekend in the drop zone and four points adrift of their nearest rivals - and have to play twice in two days.They host South Coast United today at JJ Kelly Park and a win would set up a potentially season-saving visit to relegation-bound Warilla Wanderers tomorrow. The Lions face the daunting two-day task because their scheduled trip to King Mickey Park was washed out last weekend. If Coniston lose or draw either match, they'll be out of the top flight for the first time since 1991.Assistant coach Bobby Grbevski is under no illusions about the task facing his side. "It's not hard, is it? Draw and we're gone, drop a point and we're gone," Grbevski said.Coniston skipper Steven Sulevski (foot) and midfielder Brane Tesanovic (knee) are carrying injuries into this weekend's double-header, while left midfielder Steve Popovski (ankle) is in extreme doubt.Grbevski said his side would take confidence out of wins over both their opponents earlier this season. "We beat both of these teams the last time we played them, but we haven't won two in a row this season," he said."The only thing that worries me about South Coast United is their win against Port Kembla last weekend - that will be a big confidence booster."While South Coast have some momentum heading into today's showdown, Coniston haven't won since round 18. Back-to-back losses to fellow battlers Bulli (round 21) and Tarrawanna (round 22) may have been the results that sealed their fate. "We have been competitive against the top six teams but we haven't beaten them," Grbevski said. "Our competitors have been good enough to get results - Picton beat Dandaloo, South Coast beat Port Kembla."Grbevski said a thin squad, poor discipline and injuries at the worst moments conspired to put the Lions in a precarious position. South Coast United - along with Picton, Tarrawanna, Wollongong United and Coniston - are still a mathematical chance of joining Warilla in the District Leagues next season. A win or draw today would simplify the equation for the McLennan Park outfit, which last played in the then-First Division in 2004. "If we don't lose, we're safe," captain-coach Michael Santalab said. South Coast United will be at full strength for today's clash. Santalab said striker Denis Jurjevic (knee) would probably start off the bench.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury