EFL 2022: Why Surrey Park’s best is yet to come in Division 4

The coach is “optimistic” his side’s best is on the horizon in the EFL’s Division 4, despite sitting two games clear in third spot.

Surrey Park sits third on the Eastern league Division 4 ladder and senior coach David Jensen is confident his side’s best is ahead.

The Panthers boast a 4-2 record following the weekend’s 31-point victory over a resurgent Croydon North-MLOC, for a percentage of 149.1 – ranked second in the division.

Surrey Park’s Ryan Kennedy in action. Picture: Surrey Park FC

They sit two games clear in the top-three but have had to do it without several key names.

Regular starters Hamish Burrill, James Kenworthy, George Haynes, Jack McLaren, Sam Naidu and Oliver Anderson are among a long line of players to have missed several weeks.

The coach is hopeful of regaining most players for the back half of the season.

“We’re missing about 12 or 13 players … we haven’t been anywhere near full strength and it’s hard to get a gauge of how we’re truly going,” Jensen said.

“I’m happy with how the boys are going about it, we’re defending well all over the ground, we’ve changed a few things this year on how we’re moving the ball forward.

“They’re taking time to gel but that’s getting better each week … I’m hoping that the back half of the year is when we’ll be playing our best footy.”

The Panthers currently boast the second-best percentage in Division 4. Picture: Surrey Park FC

Jensen credited his charges for grinding out Saturday’s away win over Croydon North-MLOC, with the hosts remaining within striking distance at three-quarter time.

The Panthers kept the opposition goalless in the final term after 15 points separated the pair.

“We had to really grind away in that last quarter … they (Croydon North-MLOC) don’t die wondering, they stick at it as well,” Jensen said.

The coach lamented missed opportunities in front of goal as Surrey Park registered 11.18 (84) to 8.5 (53).

While Jensen believes it’s an area his players need to improve, he said much was owed to Croydon North-MLOC’s defensive pressure.

Mathew Pollock was “brilliant” in just his third match this season, best afield with three goals in a high forward role providing a link through the middle of the ground as he took a number of strong marks. Renan Falahey also booted three.

Panthers coach David Jensen is optimistic of regaining several key names for the back half of the season. Picture: Surrey Park FC

The Panthers face Kilsyth (fifth), Chirnside Park (second), Forest Hill (fourth) and Silvan (first) ahead of the bye.

They’ve only lost to the top-two so far this season but Jensen believes regaining personnel could go some way to bridging the gap.

“Key players coming back from injury are going to help us, but we’re just focusing on what we do well and improving on it, and the young kids understanding what senior footy is and their roles,” Jensen said.

“I think we’re going to get better through the natural progression of playing together – I’m optimistic for what lies ahead.”