After 11 weeks since its last win, Murray United can release the pressure with three points at home against Nunawading City on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Victory will put Murray 10 points clear of bottom-placed Nunawading with a further six games left, but a loss will cut the deficit in the relegation battle to just four.
“We know that it’s in our hands, it starts to become really nervy when it’s taken out of your hands, but as long as it’s still in our hands, we’re confident we’ll avoid that (relegation),” Murray coach Elliot Jones said.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a big game for us, just because of where the two sides are on the ladder.
“It’s important because it’s the last time we play Nunawading.
“We’ve beaten them at the start of the year (2-0) and if we can get another three points and get maximum points against them teams around us on the ladder, it's important to cash in when you can.
“They had a heavy loss (8-0) last week and without taking anything away from GV (Goulburn Valley Suns), I had a look at that game and they (Nunawading) lost a player 15 minutes in.
“We had that happen at the start of the year and we lost 6-0.”
Jones knows his side doesn’t have any right to be complacent given the calibre of Nunawading’s players, including former A-League stars Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Massimo Murdocca.
“I think there’s more pressure on them because they really need to win to keep their season alive,” Jones said.
Centre back Ryan Giles has made a massive impact since his return from a fractured cheekbone five weeks ago.
Murray has conceded just four goals in that period, including scoreless draws against promotion hopefuls Moreland City and Altona Magic.
“I’ve just been doing my job back there, it’s almost a team within a team that back four,” Giles said.
“We’ve got a good understanding on the pitch and get along well off the pitch, which helps as well.
“I think (fellow centre back) Halil (Gur) and I work well, we both like doing the ugly things like winning headers and tackles.
“It’s a good partnership at the moment and I’m pretty happy with how things are going back there.”
Archie Thompson is again unavailable due to commitments on the Gold Coast.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here