Glenroy frustrated by winless start but confident victory is around the corner

After reaching the VTCA Division 1 North grand final last season, Glenroy has been frustrated by a winless start to 2020-21 but remains confident the drought will break.

Glenroy captain Anthony Greaney in action. Picture: Sarah Matray

Glenroy coach Sean Warren is confident a win is just around the corner for the struggling club.

After reaching the VTCA Division 1 North grand final last season, the Roys have endured a torrid start to 2020-21 losing their opening six matches.

Victory has narrowly eluded them several times this season, twice losing by just seven runs as well as four wickets and three wickets.

Warren said the results didn’t necessarily tell the whole story.

“We’re certainly putting in the work on the track and if we’re talking about the First XI we’ve been in every game,” he said.

Austin Wynne in action for Glenroy. Picture: Julian Smith

Billy Goodwin in action for Glenroy. Picture: Andrew Tauber

“We just haven’t won those key moments that you need to get over the line.

“I think it’s one of those things where when we get one win on the board all of a sudden you get some confidence and get on a roll.

“It’s difficult because the club’s been so successful for the past few seasons and to now go through a long period without a win.

It’s not like we’re being thrashed, so the morale is good and the guys are enjoying their cricket, it’s just frustrating because we can’t get that win.”

On Saturday, Glenroy skittled Craigieburn for just 85 but couldn’t back it up with the bat, dismissed for 78.

Evergreen spinner Steve Goodwin remains one of the most dangerous bowlers in the competition and has 15 scalps, including 5-13 against the Eagles, while Austin Wynne is also a top-10 wicket-taker.

However, batting has been an issue this season after the loss of 2019-20 leading run-scorers Malith Cooray (No.1), Tyler O’Neill (No.2) and Phil King (No.4).

Leading run-scorer Sarwar Khawar sits 39th in Division 1 and the Roys sit last in runs scored and wickets lost this season.

“You take out three batsmen out of our top five from last season, it makes it really difficult, but it also gives others opportunities,” Warren said.

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“It’s certainly a young group, so it’s going to take some time for them to develop and we’ve just got to be patience.

“We know bowling is our strength and we’re trying to get guys to bat for longer periods of time.

“The one-day game probably doesn’t suit our batsmen, we’ve got guys more suited to the two-day game, so it’s a case of batsmen applying themselves and reading the game situation.”

Glenroy face 10th-placed Altona Roosters on Saturday before returning to Sewell Reserve to face Airport West St Christopher’s in Round 8.