Manpower has been the deciding factor in the men's division one competition this season, a factor that humbled the competition leaders who suffered at the hands of the wooden spoon contenders last week.
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Harlequins arrived with no reinforcements, and Lake Albert wiped the floor with them in the first 20 minutes, and held the lead until the end.
The 7-1 loss was a wake-up call for the Harlequins, according to coach Brendan Watson.
“You have to be switched on in every game,” he said.
“Our first 20 minutes put us on the back foot.
“We need to be there and be prepared to start from the start.”
Manpower wasn’t the only factor at play, according to Watson, a series of unfortunate events led to the loss.
“It was strange, we didn't play well, we were also unlucky,” he said.
“Things like this kept on happening; I tried to make an intercept on the ball, I managed to get a stick to it, but I didn’t stop it and it fell to one of their players who was in a good position.”
Morale has lifted since the loss; a near-full squad attended a “more relaxing” Harlequins’ training on Tuesday night
More Harlequins players will be available for this week’s clash against third-placed CSU/Rivcoll.
CSU has experienced a projected phase of loses, but Watson knows the points aren’t just going to fall in the Harlequins’ lap.
“They may have lost a few in a row but I don’t think I've seen them easily-beaten,” he said.
“They’re by no means easy-beats, they’ll score goals on you if you slip up.”
Watson rolled his ankle last week, and may step into goals to fill in for their missing keeper.
“That will not be pretty,” he said.
He trusts Bradley Watson and Sam Whitfield will take control of the game.
“Our streak of wins started when Sam arrived from overseas,” Brendan Watson said.
“The talk he bring is something we didn’t even know we were lacking, he brings a calmness to all the young guys.”
Bradley Watson has been recovering from a broken toe sustained five weeks ago.
“He will be getting better,” Brendan Watson said.
Saturday schedule
Jubilee Park
Men’s division one: 2.30pm: Lake Albert v Royals. 4pm: Harlequins v CSU. Women’s division one: 2.30pm: LAC United v CSU