Berwick loses, but wins coach

By Glen Atwell
“IT was all going beautifully until the other team scored.”
That was Berwick City Soccer Club president Perry Mur’s assessment of Saturday’s State League Three local derby between Berwick and Endeavour United at Jack Thomas Reserve.
Berwick lost 3-0, but celebrated the arrival of new coach Joe Carroll, appointed to replace Tony Saunders, who sensationally walked out on the club two weeks ago.
Now all Carroll needs to do is find a striker to lead his team to success.
With injured striker Paul Burns failing to recover for Saturday’s match, Berwick was without a player able to drive the ball into the back of the net.
For Endeavour United, there was no shortage of shots on target and Muhammed Kirmaci found the back of the net just before half-time to give United a 1-0 lead at the break.
Kirmaci scored again in the second half, as did Pedro Sequeira.
Mr Mur said the loss was disappointing, but the club was relieved to have a new coach on board.
“Carroll is a former NSL player and has a FIFA coaching badge, he’s got some exciting ideas and will take us forward in the next few weeks,” he said.
The heavy loss spiralled Berwick down to ninth on the Football Federation Victoria ladder, while Endeavour United has risen to second position.
Burns is expected to be back on the pitch for Berwick this weekend when it travels to Sandringham in a must-win away match.
Endeavour United hosts Doveton in the highly anticipated local stanza at Reema Reserve.
It is first versus second on the ladder and both teams would be high on confidence after impressive wins in round six.
Doveton beat Fitzroy City 1-0 at Waratah Reserve on Saturday, with Glen Bristow the goalscorer.
In the other local State League Three match, Springvale lost to Frankston 2-6.
Franco Bovo scored both of Springvale’s goals.