There is no fear at Keilor Park Soccer Club.
The state league 1 outfit has saved its best performances for some of the competition’s toughest opposition throughout its 2015 campaign.
Despite sitting in eighth spot on the ladder, the Parkers have knocked off top-of-the-table Western Suburbs twice this year.
Keilor Park also forced a draw with second-placed North Sunshine earlier this month.
Club president Paul Portelli said the results are proof his side could match it with any in the league.
“The competition is so even,” he said.
“A lot of the bottom sides are starting to pick up points. It is just a matter of taking the opportunities when they come.
“Teams are only getting little chances, but they are taking them. That is the difference between top and bottom.
“It is so tight and so even that any team on the day can really put in the hard yards and, if they have a bit of luck on their side, will end up with the points.”
While the Parkers’ best has been first-class, maintaining that level of play throughout the season has proved problematic.
Keilor Park has a 5-3-8 record and a goal differential of negative two.
Portelli said his side’s lack of a star striker had stopped the Parkers from continually reaching their best. Keilor Park has found the back of the net 22 times this season, placing it in the bottom five of the competition.
“It’s a real credit to the boys that they haven’t dropped their heads.
“We knew we were going to struggle if we didn’t get that position covered,” Portelli said.
“We have a couple of young boys up front who are doing a good job.
“Hopefully, as they get a bit more confident, we can start getting a few more goals on the board.”
While there have been plenty of positive signs throughout the season, Portelli wants his side to continue showing strength against the competition’s leading teams.
Keilor Park could finish as high as seventh with a strong final month of the season.
“We still have a job to do.
“It is really on us to keep pushing for those good results,” Portelli said.
