Truganina Hornets had to hold on for dear life with 10 men to beat Yarra Jets 3-2 in the opening round of the FFA Cup at Arndell Park Reserve on Saturday.
The new-look Hornets squad has impressed in preseason hit outs with its attacking flair, but this game was more about the grind.
The Darron Cox-coached team had to work hard to stave off a stern challenge from a gutsy Jets team.
“We done what we had to do,” Hornets president Sergio Lunedei told Star Weekly.
“We went through to the next round and that’s what we wanted.
“The job was completed, but they have played a bit more brilliant in other games.”
Truganina’s line-up bore little resemblance to the senior team it sent out last season.
The Hornets have only retained a handful of first teamers and have brought in a number of talented recruits.
“We’re pretty new, we’ve changed a lot from last year,” Lunedei said.
“We’ve only got about five players from last year in the seniors.
“There’s a lot of young and talented players, so once they start getting to know each other better, we’ll have a pretty good side.”
Despite playing the last 10 minutes down a man, the Hornets felt like they were in control of the situation.
Defender Ahmed Ahmed saw red after giving too much lip to the referee.
But goals from Jonathan Camilleri, Colin Hobgood and Luca De Amicis were enough to see off the Jets.
Striker Musa Kamara was the stand out for the Hornets.
“He was giving hell to everyone,” Lunedei said.
“He probably deserved a goal but let’s just say the goals were started from his foot.”
Blake D’Antino, a new recruit from Werribee City, and captain Elliott Brown, made strong first impressions for the Hornets.
Meanwhile, Point Cook had it all their own way in a 7-0 annihilation of Churchill United at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
Part of the beauty of the cup competition is facing sides you would not meet in league play during the season.
United had to make a two-hour journey from the Gippsland town of Churchill.
In NPL2 west, Werribee City had to 2-0 loss to North Geelong Warriors on the road at Elcho Park on Saturday, leaving them with one point from two games.
While in a preseason friendly, Hoppers Crossing had a 2-1 win over Yarraville Glory after goals to Matt Garbett and Daniel Sweeney.
