Sunbury United Earns Promotion

After a number of near misses in recent years, a final round win against league champions Balmoral, was enough to ensure a top three spot for Sunbury.

“It’s a weight off the shoulders,” coach Jason Hayne said.

“We did it the hard way and we should have done it a few weeks ago.

“We had a few slip-ups before we finally got the rewards in the last game of the season away from home and against the champions who had not been beaten at home all year.”

Sunbury had been in the promotion mix all season after getting off to flier.

While Balmoral had locked in top spot there was a battle between a number of teams for the second promotion spot.

It would later become the second and third promotion spots, with a vacancy opening with Western United being withdrawn from competitions.

While Dallas City secured second spot with a big final round win, Sunbury finished with victory against Balmoral.

It mattered little in the end, with Epping City having a final round draw, meaning Sunbury would have finished third no matter the result.

“It was meant to be,” Hayne said.

“This year we were good enough. We had two of the hardest games to end the season.”

Hayne said there were some fears that Football Victoria’s decision to overturn their round one result could come back and cost them promotion.

Sunbury had dominated the contest against Epping City and ended in a six-point turnaround which was nearly costly.

Had that win counted, Sunbury wouldn’t have had to wait until the final round to have secured a promotion spot.

“It was one of those things that were meant to be,” Hayne said.

“We had some challenges and it’s the good old Sunbury way to leave it to the last round. It made it so much sweeter beating Balmoral.

“They didn’t have anything to play for, besides their unbeaten record at home.”

Hayne said it had been 11 years since the club had earned promotion.

He said it was a special moment for a lot of people.

“We have been there or thereabouts in trying to get out of state league 3.

“The club has wanted this for a long time.

“We’ll enjoy the success and then focus on what we are going to do next season and hopefully build a strong side.”

https://sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/sport/sunbury-earns-promotion/