Sydenham Park needs to finish the season strongly and hope some luck goes its way in the FV state league 1 north-west season.
The Reds were in second spot after 18 rounds, six points behind ladder leaders Altona City and last season the top two teams were promoted in the National Premier League 3 competition.
Clubs believed that would be the case again this year, but Reds coach Goran Lozanovski said they had been told that it had changed.
“About a month ago we were told by Football Victoria that one team goes up and two goes down,” he said.
“A lot of clubs aren’t happy with that move midseason, we can’t do anything about it, unless the B-league [National Second Tier] goes ahead.
“We don’t know what is happening. It’s frustrating when things change.”
Lozanovski said the focus for the club in the last five rounds was to ensure that they at least consolidated second spot and see what happens from there.
He said Altona City had been the most consistent side this season and deserved to be at the top of the table.
“We need to maximise points every week from here on in and whatever is meant to be, will be,” he said.
“We’re still hurting from last week and losing to Brimbank Stallions and it means there is now a huge gap between one and two.
“We have to finish every game strongly and consolidate at least second spot. We want to finish at least second for sure and if first place is up for grabs we want to take it.”
The Reds faceD third-placed Westgate on Saturday, after deadline.
A loss would mean that Westgate would move to being on equal points.
Lozanovski said while this game was massive for them, every game was with the season coming to the pointy end.
The Reds were able to come away with the win, 3-1.
