By Paul Pickering
ENDEAVOUR United’s fall from grace in the Football Federation Victoria State League Three South East competition became complete on Saturday, the team suffering a 3-2 loss at home to Sandringham City to fall five points short of promotion.
United, which led the league halfway through the season, was a shadow of its former self in the final round, with three defensive errors costing it as many goals.
Hardeep Garcha was United’s only shining light, scoring a pair of impressive headers.
Reflecting on a season of missed opportunity, coach Carlos Retre said a number of mid-season signings aimed at bolstering United’s depth had not paid off.
“The players will be thinking about this year for a long time,” he said.
“When you lead the league halfway through the season and basically choke, you know the attitude’s got to change.”
Meanwhile, Doveton embarrassed Springvale City 9-0 at Waratah Reserve, condemning the Vales to eighth spot on the ladder – and an off-season of soul searching.
Striker Leon Buhic ran rampant for the Doves, netting five goals to take his season tally to 24 – second only to Frankston’s Simon O’Donnell.
Three of Buhic’s goals were scored from supremely taken free kicks, complemented nicely by a double from Brian Murphy and singles to Reha Ulusoy and Gary Davidson.
The Doves’ late-season rally, however, was only enough to elevate them to third place on the ladder – four points shy of promotion.
At Jack Thomas Reserve on Saturday, Berwick ground out a 0-0 draw with Southern Suburbs to finish in ninth place.
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