MORWELL Pegasus is in the danger zone after seven rounds of the State League south east division one season, languishing in ninth on the 12-team ladder.
With three draws, three losses and just one win to date, Pegasus (six points) sits just two points above bottom side and this weekend’s opponent, Noble Park (four points).
Saturday’s 3-0 loss away to top side Mornington was another blow for the Horsemen, but with four winnable games to come before the halfway mark, coach Luke Cheney is confident of an upswing.
The second year coach said his original target for mid-season was 15 points minimum, which with three games in the next month against lower ranked sides to play, was still achievable.
Pegasus faces bottom side Noble Park on Saturday, followed by a home game against 11th-placed Casey, then a trip to Langwarrin before hosting 10th spot Manningham United.
“We have to take maximum points out of the games that remain for the first half of the season,” Cheney said.
Hosting Mornington at Ronald Reserve on Saturday, Pegasus was in the contest at 0-1 down until the final throes.
The visitor scored its second on 88 minutes, and netted a third in injury time to blow the margin out.
“It wasn’t a bad result, the scoreline doesn’t do it justice, even the Mornington coach said that 3-0 was a bit flattering,” Cheney said.
“They’re a very good outfit that’s why they’re undefeated 7-0 now, they’ve spent their money and they should go on and win the whole lot this year, but my guys stood up and took it to them.
“If we had of taken our chances we could have really turned the game on its head.”
Converting in the final third has been a costly sticking point for Morwell in recent weeks.
A couple of candidates have been tested up front, including Chris Wynne last fortnight before he suffered a broken nose – which has kept him out since.
“The only thing we’re lacking at the moment is goals and if we had goals we’d be in the top four without a doubt. We’ve matched it with all the best teams, it’s just that lack of finishing that’s hurting us at the moment,” Cheney said.
“The boys the last two weeks have played two of the top three teams and we should have got at least a point out of both those games… it’s not a lack of trying or spirit, we just need that finish.”
The unavailability of players like Wynne through injury and Tim Dawson (overseas) has disrupted the team balance, but the impending return of Stef Ciccarelli will steady the ship this week.
Pegasus has not won since dismissing Malvern City 4-1 in round three, and the points are at a premium this weekend.
The coach hinted he may even kit up on the bench, after enjoying some game time in reserves recently.
