Doveton belted

By Stuart Teather
ROUND 20 of the State League Division Three South East was not kind to the Berwick region’s teams, with Doveton suffering the worst.
The Doves, locked in a battle with five other teams to avoid the final two relegation spots, took a 6-1 belting from Sandringham City, another team fighting for its place in the division.
Nothing was clicking for Doveton in the first half as Sandringham found the net five times, a player was sent off and the side was woeful on both attack and defence.
It was a different story after the break as both sides scored once and the Doves regained their composure, but by then the game was well and truly over.
Doveton coach Michael Kupinic was brutally disappointed after the game.
“It was very disappointing and I think the players are aware of it, we had a pretty good discussion at half-time and at the end of the game,” he said.
“We just needed to make sure we didn’t do anything silly, and unfortunately we did.
“When things are tough and your backs are against the wall, the true character of the people really comes to the fore, and a lot of things happened there that I was not happy about.”
He said at times he felt his message was not getting through to the players.
“We’ve spoken about a lot of things since I’ve been down there, but unfortunately sometimes it goes in one ear and out the other.
“It’s really hard to do anything about that, unless you can turn around and get rid of 20 players and get yourself another 20.”
Despite the result, Kupinic remained positive that the club could avoid relegation.
“We are still in the box seat here to avoid the drop, if we win our two games, we will finish probably fourth-bottom, or maybe fifth.”
Endeavour United will be relegated for next season, falling eight points behind in last place with two games to go after its 2-1 loss to the Southern Suburbs.
Berwick City had a surprise 3-0 loss to North Caufield, another side fighting for its place in the division.
In Division Two South East, the Casey Comets’ difficult run continued, going down to Stonnington City 3-1 at home.
The Comets held a 1-0 half-time lead thanks to a Paul Presti goal, but conceded three after the break, with Juan Sastre-Tejedor scoring twice, and Thomas Williams once for the victors.
In the women’s Division Two South East, Berwick City continued its excellent season with a 2-0 win over Sandringham.
Sixteen-year-old Joanna Cary scored twice in the win, which ensures the side will finish runners-up in its first year in the division, after being promoted from Division three at the end of last year.
The talented youngster is the league’s second-highest goalscorer, despite contending with injury and illness throughout the year.
In Division Three South East, Endeavour United flogged Sandringham 5-1, moving the side into third position.