On Sunday the Gippsland United under 18s hosted third on the ladder Ashburton, going down 5-0.
The lads were keen for another win to keep their three-game winning streak going, however from the first whistle it was clear Ashburton were hungrier for the win.
Although Gippsland showed snippets of good play in the first half it was Ashburton's Aiden O'Flynn who put four unanswered goals past the United keeper, three of which were from the Gippsland defence making minor errors with Ashburton's quick speed up front.
At the half time break the United technical director put the challenge to the boys and revved them all up, and from the start of the second half the Gippsland boys showed a lot more composure and more importantly intensity to win the ball.
Although most of the second half saw the play in Gippsland's forward half, they were unable to find the back of the net.
Having only two shots on target in the first half, United had six shots at goal and on target to Ashburton's three shots.
Levi Colantuono played well in the midfield, winning lots of one on ones and delivering the ball to teammates feet, while Abraham Konyi was solid in defence, stopping numerous attacking opportunities from his opponents. Ben McCartney was also placed up front and provided lots of options.
Leeton Hilli, Nicolas Nardone, Spencer Boughton and Jed Foster lifted in the second half, which also inspired the rest of the team.
Ashburton were lucky to score late in the second half with the final whistle sounding Ashburton 5 Gippsland United 0.
This Sunday United are on the road again to face top-of-the-table Ringwood for a 3pm kick-off.