Above: Springvale’s Nikola Veljovic clashes with a Lions opponent during their match at White Eagles Stadium. 53288 By Gavin Staindl
HEATHERTON United officials are in shock this week after more players walked out on the club, continuing a month-long player exodus.
The club hit a low point on Saturday when, in their last game for the season, their depleted squad was filled with youngsters – who were crushed 6-0 by the Eastern Lions at Bosnia and Herzegovina Soccer Centre.
Goalkeeper Yehya Dimassi and Zlatko Buljubasic joined three other players who walked out on the club earlier this month, stating lack of pay as the reason for their departure.
But Heatherton coach Miro Kupinic believes that is a “weak” excuse.
“They were looking for a way to get out so they said they weren’t getting paid,” Kupinic said.
“The club has spent a lot of money on new lights and facilities and we approached the players before the Knox game (four weeks ago) and said that cash is low and there is not a lot of funds in the team.
“But it was never an issue that we couldn’t play the players … we said we would meet our obligations but couldn’t do it just now,” Kupinic said.
But according to Kupinic it was not the lack of pay that was the issue.
“They didn’t want to work. They didn’t want to keep turning up every Tuesday and Thursday and continue to work hard.
“It’s a cop out.
“The players that have left were our experienced players … they have no character and no back-bone,” Kupinic said.
For over a month, Heatherton knew that they would not reach promotion and there was no chance of relegation so Kupinic thinks that without either of these incentives the players had no reason to keep playing.
Heatherton eventually finished in ninth position after losing their final three games by an average of just under five goals.
Although the Southern Stars are already destined for Division One next year, on the weekend they were intent on defending their unbeaten streak that has galvanised the team throughout the year.
Despite plenty of pressure from Knox City, the Stars kept their season-long streak alive with a 2-1 win at Egan Lee Reserve.
The Stars comfortably finished in first place, with six draws the only blemish in what was otherwise a perfect season.
Dandenong defeated the Southern Suburbs 3-1 at Keeley Park to finish an up-and-down year in seventh position.
Down a goal early in the second half, Dandenong poured on three unanswered goals to cap off the season with its eighth win.
The aggressive Division One Springvale Eagles secured promotion last week but could not cap off celebrations with a win on Saturday.
In similar circumstances to last week’s 4-3 win over Whittlesea, the lead changed multiple times before Bulleen Lions stole the points with a 5-4 win at White Eagles Stadium.
Eagles president Bob Stojanic said that the attacking style that had characterised his team throughout the year would be the type of play they will be looking to replicate in the Premier League.
In Division Three wins to both South Springvale and Noble Park has set up an intriguing battle for first place next week
South Springvale comfortably took care of Fitzroy City 4-2 at Warner Reserve while Noble Park beat Waverley Wanderers 1-0 at Carlson Avenue Reserve.
Both teams have been promoted from Division Three but the fight for first place will be decided next Saturday when the postponed match between the two clubs will be played out at Parkfield Reserve with entry into the match free of charge.
