Barbieri: Self belief lacking

by Shaun Moran 0

Box Hill goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri will be hoping that her team mates soon discover the confidence they need going forward after their side’s 1-1 draw to Heidelberg United at a dank and chilly Olympic Village on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to the Corner Flag after the match, the former Matildas shot-stopper made reference to the lack of belief in some players, which underpinned the number of key defensive lapses on the weekend.

“It’s more of a self-belief thing in the girls”, she explained.

“It’s not that they’re cocky or anything, but it’s that they don’t believe in themselves to make first time passes.

“They’re quite capable, but it’s more about pumping my girls up and telling them how good they are really.”

After going up early through a Ruby Footit goal, Hawkin’s side was in the box seat to further the side’s aspirations of returning to the top two in the standings.

The concession of an early goal in the second half though, took the gloss off an encouraging display.

“It’s a point well fought,” she laughed.

“I mean, it’s always unfortunate when you go a goal ahead and then lose the lead, but I think Heidelberg really stuck it to us. It was a really physical game and I think a point at the end of that was well deserved as both teams had their chances.

“We’re happy with our first half performance, but the way they came out put a dampener on things.”

Box Hill will head back home looking to clinch the three points against an improving EAP at Wembley Park on Friday night.

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