By David Nagel
Pakenham United remains winless since its round one thumping of Rosebud after holding Casey Panthers to a nil-all draw at IYU Reserve on Saturday.
United scored a 5-0 victory over Rosebud in the opening round of the season, but have since scored just four goals in its subsequent eight games.
Injuries to key players, such as dangerous import Sash Saric, have robbed United of its potent strike force that defined its opening victory.
United coach Liam McCafferty is confident his team will return to form once some key personnel return to the playing pitch.
One team with no such form issues at the moment is Bunyip, who secured its ninth point from its last four games with a 2-0 victory over Rosebud.
The Strikers began their run against Casey Panthers (1-0) in rounds six, with wins over Mount Martha (4-1) and now the Buds catapulting the Strikers to fifth place on the table.
Macauley Howard wasted no time having an influence, penetrating Rosebud’s defence in the second minute, before Mark Comini doubled his team’s lead in the 67th minute of play.
The Strikers face a huge task this week when they host second-placed White Star Dandenong.
Ninth-placed Pakenham will need to bounce back hard when it heads to Reedy Reserve this week to take on third-placed Hampton Park.
MEN’S STATE LEAGUE 5 SOUTH
RESULTS – ROUND 9
White Star Dandenong 2 v Aspendale 1, Pakenham 0 v Casey Panthers 0, Mentone 0 v Hampton Park United 0, Endeavour Hills 3 v Mount Martha 5, South East United 3 v Barton United 4, Rosebud 0 v Bunyip Strikers 2.
LADDER
Barton United 22, White Star Dandenong 20, Hampton Park, Mentone 19, Bunyip 16, Casey Panthers, South East United 11, Aspendale 10, Pakenham United 9, Mount Martha 7, Rosebud 4, Endeavour Hills 1.
FIXTURE – ROUND 10
Hampton Park United v Pakenham United, Bunyip v White Star Dandenong, Barton United v Aspendale, Mentone v Mount Martha, Endeavour Hills v Rosebud, Casey Panthers v South East United.
