SFL: Last-minute goal denies a point to unlucky Stars

By Roy Ward

FROM devastation can come opportunity – at least that was how Southern Stars coach Dean Hennessy is looking at things after his side’s last-minute 1-0 loss to two-time Victorian Premier League champions Green Gully at Kingston Heath on Saturday night.

After holding out for 88 minutes against Gully, the Stars fell to the most tragic of goals after Gully winger Jason Hayne controlled a cross inside the box and then shot low to the right. The 89th-minute goal brought up a 1-0 win.

Hennessy applauded his players, who have faced South Melbourne, Oakleigh and Gully in three matches taking a win and two close losses. “I thought we were deserving of a point,” he said.

“Our defender lost the ball in the lights and it fell to Hayne. Then his shot hit one of our defenders on the way in. It’s devastating.

“But this is a tough league and one play can cost you the game. We were worth a point tonight, not the win, because we didn’t create enough chances, and you could say we were worth a point against Oakleigh.”

Hennessy said his newly promoted side had learnt much from facing such strong opposition and he urged his players to take those lessons into clashes against lesser sides over the next month. “This next month of matches is paramount for our season,” he said.

Dandenong Thunder played Heidelberg United after the Weekly went to press yesterday

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