BELIEF is taking hold at Alexandra Park as finals approach, St Pats midfielder Amber Thomas says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Paddies sit sixth on the table with eight wins and as many losses, but Thomas said the side had found another level in the last month.
“We're seeing a lot of change in how we're playing now compared to how we were at the start of the season,” she said.
“We are starting to believe that we deserve to play finals.
“We're playing much better football at the moment and we're excited to see where that leads us.”
Up against Albury United this Sunday, another side chasing a finals berth, Thomas said St Pats simply had to back up their earlier strong performances.
“We need to hold our structures,” she said.
“The result (1-1 agaist Melrose) last week definitely gives us confidence.
“We’ve matched the top sides in the last few weeks, it’s been good for the girls’ self-esteem to know that we’re a serious competitor in this competition.”
Albury United coach Frank Vescio says his side will have a fight on their hands this weekend.
“The bottom-end of the top-eight is a bit of a log-jam, anyone could win it come finals time,” he said.
“Paddies will be a test this weekend.
“We’re looking for the three points, if we can move up to seventh or sixth, so bi it.
“If we can’t as long as we’re in the finals we’ll give it a crack.”
Vescio said he was unwilling to read into the scoreline of their earlier encounter this season, a 7-0 win for United.
“In the early stages of the year it’s pretty hard to judge your opposition,” he said.
“Paddies are a dark-horse; on their day they can beat anyone.”
In the men’s competition, Melrose will travel to Cobram to face a Roar side stung by a 2-1 loss to Myrtleford last week.
Coach Kade Rixon said the match was “a bit of an unknown” since pushing Cobram to a 1-0 loss back in round four.
“From what I hear the team is a bit different compared to earlier in the season,” he said.
“Defensively we’ve been going well, we haven’t been conceding, but at the other end of the spectrum we haven’t been scoring.
“We’ll use the next few weeks o change a few things tactically, hopefully things start paying off before finals.”
Elsewhere, Boomers host Hotspurs, St Pats tackle Albury United, Wodonga Heart host Myrtleford, Wangaratta face Wodonga Diamonds and Twin City host Albury City.