Hoppers Crossing sang the team song at the weekend for the first time since being promoted to the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1.
It was the Reds’ second win of the campaign, but the first victory back in round one came on a technicality and the result was not awarded until days after the game.
But the Reds savoured that winning feeling on this occasion, beating arch rivals Altona City 2-0 in a western derby at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
Reds coach Shaun Barbara was thrilled for his side, who had worked so hard for little reward in the opening five weeks.
“It’s not as if we’ve been a million miles away and you’re just hoping it’s going to happen,” he said. “We’ve been very close and probably deserved three points in some of the games, but you’ve got to play for 90 minutes and I think we did that today.”
Hoppers Crossing fans always take great satisfaction in wins over rivals Altona City.
The Reds did not win against City in Barbara’s first season in charge last year, so this was one to savour for him.
However, Barbara was just thrilled with a win that moves the Reds up to sixth on the ladder with eight points from six games.
“Last year, unfortunately we lost to them at their home ground and we helped them along considering we scored an own goal,” Barbara recalled. “The second game was a crazy game and we drew.
“This was my first personal win over Altona City and over my former coach Andy O’Dell, who coached me as a youngster.
“It’s special, it’s good, but the three points to me was more important than the opposition we’re playing.”
Hoppers Crossing had the upper hand in the midfield battle. Kevin Smart’s experience was crucial, while Simon Tolli and Kwaku Dade linked up well.
Defensively, Hoppers Crossing had all the answers, with captain Brian Chesson particularly targeted by the City strike force.
“They targeted ‘Buddha’ [Chesson], being the slightly smaller defender,” Barbara said.
“They’d switch the big guy on to him, but he found a massive leap from somewhere, I thought he had a trampoline under him. His leap and his aerial ability was unbelievable.
“He very much led from the front.”
Up front, Hoppers Crossing looked dangerous with Alister Smart, Jason Hayne and Daniel Sweeney causing havoc. The Reds cut through with goals to Sweeney and Hayne.
“Our front three were fantastic,” Barbara said. “The work rate they got through, their creativity and all the efforts they put in was amazing.”
Hoppers Crossing has a trip to second-last Essendon Royals at Ormond Park on Saturday.
In men’s state league 3, Point Cook coughed up a half-time lead to settle for a 1-1 draw with FC Strathmore. Jason Moody scored the goal that put the Jets up at the break, but that was cancelled out in the second half.
The eighth-placed Jets will host second-last Fawkner at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday.
In men’s state league 4 west, Truganina Hornets had a 1-1 draw with Bell Park. Iidle Elmi found the back of the net for the Hornets.
The Hornets will face Western Eagles in a clash of the heavyweights at Arndell Park Reserve on Saturday evening.
In NPL 2, Werribee City went down 2-1 to Dandenong City at Galvin Park on Sunday.
