The Shepparton outfit stands on the brink of history in the coming weeks as it sits in pole position to claim a first league title since the club was founded back in 2013, with just three games left to play.
However, the first objective for the boys in navy blue is to guarantee passage to the top tier in Victorian soccer, which they can secure with maximum points against Werribee City at John McEwen Reserve on August 15.
The Suns have been the division’s standout side over the past five months, with the Suns having leapfrogged long-term leaders Malvern City into first place to emerge as the frontrunners for the VPL 2 crown.
The reverse fixture against Werribee produced something of a thriller back in May, as the hosts down at Costas Mitre 10 Park held Carley’s charges to a 2-2 stalemate, with a 95th minute equalizer from Laywi Niyonkuru earning them a share of the spoils.
With that result still fresh in the memory, Suns boss Carley is well-aware of the threat posed by the visitors from Melbourne this weekend as they look to secure a ticket to the promised land of the VPL 1.
“We know this is going to be a tricky game after drawing against Werribee down at their place, earlier in the season,” he said, providing a balanced assessment of the Bees.
“Some might say we were a little fortunate in scoring the equaliser in added time, they’re a very fluid side in terms of getting the ball forwards and very pacey in the final third.
“They made a few really positive signings in the last transfer window and won 4-0 last time out against Nunawading and came back from 4-0 down to draw against Moreland so we know we will get punished if we’re off our game.”
“I haven’t actually thought about winning the championship yet, even though we went top again last weekend after Malvern’s draw - it’s about locking in automatic promotion first.
“Then we can look further ahead.”
As the Suns aim to claim the three points required to gain promotion, Carley made a special request to the club’s fanbase as he called on fans to be the 12th man for his side in this all-important fixture.
With promotion rivals Malvern and Essendon both playing on Friday night (August 14), they will be hoping to put pressure on the Suns heading into what promises to be a crunch game.
“We’ll be fully prepared and it would be great to get that big home support for what could potentially be a big milestone game for the club,” Carley said.
“I’m quietly confident that if we play how we did against Keilor Park, we’ll be fine.”
Aiming to spoil the party in the Goulburn Valley, 11th-placed Werribee will be confident of causing an upset, having dispatched of Nunawading City last week in a 4-0 win, while drawing against Moreland City and Altona City in their last five outings.
The Suns kick-off from 3pm.
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