Truganina is back in the title race after getting a helping hand from a rival in Football Federation Victoria men’s State League 5 west.
The Hornets took care of their own business, disposing of lowly Kyneton District 4-1 at Arndell Park Reserve on Saturday.
But the noise in the Hornets’ dressing room went up a notch when news filtered through that ladder leader Spring Hills had been upset 1-0 by Balmoral.
That result, coupled with the Hornets’ win, has tightened up the title race significantly.
Spring Hills’ lead at the top was cut to two points, with the Hornets and Keilor Wolves hot on their heels and five matches remaining.
“That was great news for us,” Hornets coach Sergio Lunedei said.
Not only does it give the Hornets a chance to fulfil their promotion goal, it gives them a sneaky chance of going up as premiers.
Lunedei says the last month of the campaign will be like a mini-finals series. The top three still have to face each other and any loss could have dire consequences.
“There are four finals we have to win,” he said. “Each game is going to be different and there isn’t going to be an easy one.
“We have to win all four of them to get promoted and not have to rely on other results.”
The easiest game will come against bottom side Melbourne Lions at Maribyrnong Reserve this Saturday.
But don’t expect the Hornets to take the home side lightly.
“They upset us in the first game we played them, so we have to be careful,” Lunedei said.
“From now on, it doesn’t matter if they’re first or last on the ladder. For us they’re all finals.
“We have to concentrate and do what we have to do to take away these points because we can’t afford to lose points. The boys have to finish their job.”
The Hornets stung Kyneton in a second-half blitz on Saturday.
They were “a bit nervous” at half time before coming out to pile on three second-half goals, two from speedy Adam Santic.
“It was a double-faced game from us,” Lunedei said. “In the first half, we weren’t closing down the spaces and copped a pretty cheap goal. Then in the second half we started to create chances and take more possession of the game.”
Anthony Comito and Paul Pham turned the game on its head with starring roles in the midfield. Santic put the icing on the cake with his double and might have found a new home on the front line.
“Normally he plays on a wing, but he was effective as a striker,” Lunedei said.
“He’s like a jet; once he takes off it’s pretty hard to stop him.’’
In the NPL, Werribee City was hammered 4-0 by title favourites South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium. The Bees will host Oakleigh Cannons at Galvin Park on Sunday at 3pm.
In state league 4, Hoppers Crossing suffered its first defeat of the season, 2-1 to Maribyrnong Greens. The Reds are still nine points clear on top of the ladder.
Joe Spiteri scored two goals in Point Cook’s 4-2 victory over Altona North.
