By ADEM SARICAOGLU
SUNSHINE George Cross’ 0-0 draw with Fawkner Blues may have lifted the Georgies from third to second in State League One football, but it wasn’t good enough in the eyes of coach Tony Ciantar on Sunday.
Ciantar labelled the Georgies’ scoreless showing in the dour affair their “worst performance of the year”, and on Sunday told Star he was very disappointed with the outcome.
“We expected to pick up the points in today’s game,” Ciantar said.
“Our players didn’t really show up, to be honest.
“We had no player that stood up and just grab the game by the scruff of the neck. It was just pretty much a poor performance for us.”
In a deliberate ploy that made life rather difficult for the Georgies’ attackers, the Blues choked the final third with a 6-3-1 formation, essentially leading to the scoreless result by game’s end.
However, Ciantar wasn’t prepared to make any excuses for his players on Sunday.
“There was no period in the game that we were outstanding in,” Ciantar said.
“There was just no period. Normally, you’ll play in patches but the desire (wasn’t there).
“There was probably a little more desire in the second half to get a result. We hit the crossbar twice and we had a couple of near misses, but just couldn’t capitalise and get the elusive goal we were chasing.”
State League One leader Heidelberg United’s win over Werribee City on Sunday helped the Georgies’ cause by lifting them a point clear of the Bees.
But with the Georgies’ biggest test of the season coming up this weekend against Heidelberg United on the road, Ciantar’s men can’t afford another lapse.
“Heidelberg picking up three points today was always going to make it an all-important game next week that could’ve seen us go on top,” Ciantar said.
“Unfortunately, that chance has gone a begging, but next week’s game will be important, because it could put us within a point (of top spot) with four games to go, which will be great.”
George Cross’ run home also includes battles with the Moreland Zebras, Altona Magic, Eastern Lions and Werribee City.
