Goulburn Strikers build 2021 win streak with redemption in mind

After their 2020 STFA All Age Men campaign, in which they dominated all season but fell short in finals, the club is looking to make amends in 2021 and has gotten off to the ideal start.

A 5-0 win over reigning premiers, Stags FC, on Saturday propelled the Strikers to their fourth win of the season and an undisputed spot on top of the ladder.

"It's a bit of revenge for last year's semi-final," team stalwart David Albrighton said of their win over the Stags.

"We lost that, and then we lost the second semi-final the week after against the Soldiers, who we play this week."

Having dominated much of the competition in 2020, the Strikers fell short against the Stags and Wollondilly Soldiers Green in the semi-final and preliminary final respectively.

These losses, Albrighton said, have "absolutely" spurred the team's dominant start to the current season, in which they have scored 23 goals without conceding one.

"That's probably the biggest high point, is that we haven't conceded a goal yet," he said.

"We've kept four clean sheets, and the guys are really proud of that. Our main focus is, if we can keep clean sheets, it'll go a long way towards winning."

The biggest challenge they are likely to face will come this weekend, against the Soldiers Green.

Until last Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Workers, they were also unbeaten and close on the heels of the Strikers.

When the two sides face off this weekend, Albrighton knows his team will need to be on top of their game to retain their win streak.

"This week's a big game for us, we can either go six points clear or we can be back to level," Albrighton said.

"I think it'll be a tough game, our toughest game of the season so far. They do have the strike power to put some goals on us. That's one of the things that our guys are focused on, that if we can keep a clean sheet in this one, it'll be big."

The motivation gained by last year's losses has reached further than just the playing field for the Strikers.

It has also spurred the team to be more dedicated with their training, the impact of which, Albrighton said, is visible on the pitch.

"Everyone still feels it from last year," he said.

"That's why everyone's keen to get the wins ... the guys are hungry and training's probably been better this year to be honest, in terms of the commitment to get to training.

"We only train once a week, but I think everyone's more positive about training."

The Strikers will take on Soldiers Green this Saturday, May 29, from 1pm at Cookbundoon.

Full fixtures for the weekend's matches can be found here.

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