A week off is what the physiotherapists ordered for the Monaro Panthers, and its what they got last weekend, to give players a rest and allow further recovery for others, says head coach Frank Cachia.
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The Panthers were due to face off against their FFA Cup regional final rivals, Tigers FC, last weekend before the match was postponed.
After their week off, they are ready to pick back up where they left off against Canberra Olympic FC. Monaro coach Cachia said his side's week off was well overdue.
"We hadn't had a week off since the start of the season, and playing all the way through the FFA Cup qualifying like, it was pretty relentless for us," he said.
"It's probably allowed some of the boys to sort of get over some of their injures. We haven't gotten over all of them just yet, but I think it was a pretty welcomed reprieve for some of the boys."
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The Monaro side sits seventh on the ladder, with only five points separating them from third place heading into the final seven rounds.
Cachia said it was an open NPL competition this year, as everyone from last to third were still in with a shot at finals football.
"We started off the season so slowly, it has been mustering sort of ever since," he said.
"The fact that we've only lost twice since round five is showing that we're actually a very much improving side and we've got a lot to play for."
AT A GLANCE
NPLW round 15 fixtures:
- Saturday - Belconnen United FC v Wagga City Wanderers FC, 7pm AIS
- Sunday - Gungahlin United FC v Tuggeranong United FC, 1.30pm AIS
- Sunday - West Canberra Wanderers FC v Canberra Olympic FC, 1.30pm Melrose
- Sunday - Canberra Croatia FC v Canberra United Academy, 2.30pm Deakin Stadium
NPL round 15 fixtures:
- Saturday - West Canberra Wanderers FC v Gungahlin United FC, 1.15pm Melrose
- Saturday - Canberra Olympic FC v Monaro Panthers FC, 7.55pm Hawker Football Centre
- Sunday - Tigers FC v Canberra Croatia FC, 6pm AIS
- Sunday - Tuggeranong United FC v Belconnen United FC, 6pm Melrose
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
