The Suns mimicked their 5-2 trouncing of City back in March with a repeat performance at McEwen Reserve, with Danny Edwards’ swift double strike, firstly in the 36th minute before a sliding effort three minutes later, helped the hosts to a 2-0 lead at the half.
Laywi Niyonkuru’s second-half brace then put the result beyond doubt despite City getting a goal back, another late goal scant consolation for the bottom-placed side as the final score read 5-2.
“It was a really positive performance,” Suns’ coach Craig Carley said.
“It’s always good to score five goals in a game, but I thought we were really dominant from the first whistle - probably unfortunate not to take a couple of early chances.”
Matthew Lelliott and Callum Scorah provided good drive through the midfield, while Xavier Black’s first game this season for the Orangemen after his promotion from the BASL was a positive one, having a say in two late goals.
It was Mangara Munguakonkhwa’s left-foot curler from outside the box, however, which proved the highlight of the Saturday evening hitout.
“We see it from Mangara every single training session, he produces efforts like that,” Carley said.
“It was a brilliant goal and one that we're fortunate to see up here in Shepparton.
“I thought we were solid defensively as well, not just the boys going forward. Matty (Lelliott) as the holding midfielder and Cal (Callum Scorah) dominated and allowed us to drive forward.
“(Xavier Black) did fantastic and contributed with two of our goals in that second half, and I think he can have a major role to play with this push as we go into the last third of the season.”
The win has the Suns surging — now five points clear of Essendon in second place and just one point behind ladder leaders Malvern City.
They’ve gone 13 games unbeaten, but they won’t be taking their next opponent, ninth-placed Nunawading City, lightly despite a two-nil win earlier this season.
“They're a better team than what the league table currently shows,” Carley said.
“It’s always a difficult game when you go down there because it is such a big pitch and they are so technically well-drilled as a side.
“For us, it's a matter of taking things a game at a time, and if we can do that, there's no reason why we can't go and achieve that ultimate goal of promotion.”
The Suns and Nunawading City face off at Mahoney’s Reserve this Saturday from 5.30pm.
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