MERNDA was involved in its fourth straight game decided by less than 20 points in the Northern Football League (NFL) division two, but unfortunately the game against Lower Plenty on Saturday was the third loss in that streak, going down by seven points at Mernda Recreation Reserve.

The final score saw the Dees lose 10.17.77 to Plenty’s 11.18.84.

The Demons are now on just one win from five games, losing their other two close encounters by 19 and five points respectively.

Mernda coach Hayden Lamaro said he was happy with his side’s attempt to win the game, but inaccuracy cost the home side.

“We put in a good effort for four quarters, we just came up short towards the end. It wasn’t through lack of endeavour or anything. We missed some shots on goal, had we kicked them, then we win games I suppose.

“I’m happy with our competitiveness, and if you take out our round one loss (against Whittlesea), all our losing margins have been around 10-15 points. We sort of competitive across four quarters of footy but probably been more frustrating or anything that we’re on the right side of the score when the siren goes.”

Lamaro said his forward line needed to get more goals on the board, and said there was no wind on Saturday to contribute to Mernda 17 minor scores, but pressure from the opposition was present.

“It turned out to be quite a nice day, but the pressure and so much contested footy forces those quick shots on goal that we missed. It was a good game of footy to watch, it went to and fro, they had the ascendancy for stages then we came back at them.

“We’re not kicking enough goals up forward at the moment and that’s the difference. Every time we go forward we can get it in there, but we just haven’t had someone stand up and kick a real bag of goals yet. So hopefully that will come and we’ll go from there.”

This week, the Dees clash with cellar dweller Watsonia at home in a must-win clash for the hosts to keep their finals hopes in check early in the season.

WHITTLESEA pounded Watsonia in its NFL division two clash on Saturday, romping home by 184 points. The final score saw the Eagles fly to 27.28.190 to Watsonia’s 1.0.6.