WHEN Mark Rooke took on the job as coach of Western NSW Mariners FC for season 2019, it was his sincere hope that he could attract enough quality players to form a squad capable of pushing for a National Premier Leagues 3 semi-final berth.
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But now, with one round of the regular season remaining, the Mariners sit on the bottom of the ladder which means they will be relegated to the State League competition for 2020.
The Mariners have had their bright moments and certainly tested some of the teams above the on the ladder - showing the sort of potential Rooke knows lies within the Western NSW region - but a lack of consistency and not being able to match the player depth of many of their rivals hurt.
"No doubt it's been a difficult season and it was always going to be with five teams being relegated," Rooke admitted.
"We had players off injured and also a few suspensions, so we didn't go as well as we thought we would this season."
This Sunday at Orange's Sir Jack Brabham Park, the Mariners will look to end their season on a positive note by upsetting an Inter Lions SC outfit hungry to earn a spot in the NPL 3 finals.
While the Lions have posted 11 wins thus far compared to the Mariners' three, Rooke's men head into the match off the back of a solid 4-1 victory over Hawkesbury City FC.
The Lions drew 4-all with that same Hawkesbury outfit a week earlier, so Rooke is hopeful the Mariners can produce an upset.
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"Look, it would be nice to finish the season with a win. It was nice winning last week because it was our last game in Bathurst, so going out with two consecutive wins would be good," he said.
As for what lies ahead, Rooke will also be looking to recruit more players, with CSU a potential hunting ground for new talent.
"It's a challenge finding more players with people not wanting to travel," Rooke said.
"[But] I'm always keeping an eye out for boys moving into the area who have played NPL.
"I like to try and encourage boys from Sydney looking to move to a more rural area as well as the uni boys when it doesn't conflict with their uni work.
"We know what areas we need to improve on and we'll be focusing on that.
"Next year will still be tough though with some good teams playing in the State League division."
This Sunday's match is scheduled for 3pm.
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Though the senior Mariners will not play in finals, the under 18s are still a chance of snatching a top six spot should they defeat Inter Lions earlier in the day.
While currently sitting in seventh, the under 18 Mariners are just one point behind the currently fourth-placed Hawkesbury.
The Lions sit directly above them on the ladder, so if the Mariners can repeat their 1-0 result when facing them earlier this season, they will rise into the six.
The Mariners are in good form too - having not suffered a defeat over the past four rounds. Their match kicks off at 11am at Jack Brabham.
