In its third year of existence, Truganina is ready to be promoted from the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 5 west.
But 90 minutes of tough football against bogey side Lara on Saturday may dictate otherwise.
In an identical scenario to the one that faced the Hornets in last weekend’s penultimate round, they can still be promoted as champions, finish second to be promoted or miss out on promotion altogether.
They will need to break new ground against Lara in the final game of the season if they are to win the title.
“They’re probably the only team in the league, even from last year, that we haven’t beaten,” Hornets president Sergio Lunedai said.
“This year we drew the first game and the second game we lost 3-1 against them. They’re a tough side and they’ve always given us trouble.”
The Hornets go into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw with third-placed Spring Hills at Springside Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
They were content to come home with a point as it ensured the Hornets retained second spot, their destiny remaining in their own hands for the final round.
The Hornets were safe and sound for the best part of 75 minutes, giving as good as they got in an attacking sense.
The last 15 minutes were a different story, making for nervous moments for Hornets coach Achille Mellini and his players.
“They [Spring Hills] went really close to winning the game, they hit the post and our keeper [James Fenech] had to make a couple of good saves,” Lunedai said.
“We could’ve even lost that game in the last few minutes. The important thing was not to lose, so one point is good.”
Fenech produced one of his best games in goal in the seniors. He rose to every challenge thrown his way in the final 15 minutes to keep a clean sheet.
Best-on-ground was Carlo Mellini in the heart of the Hornets’ defence. Mellini took the honours in a head-to-head battle with Spring Hills’ danger man Nathan Speakman.
“He had another outstanding game at the back,” Lunedai said of Mellini. “He stopped a lot of their counter attacks.”
Lunedai believes the time is right for the Hornets to jump up a division.
Unfortunately, there are three deserving sides, but only two spots available.
If the Hornets beat Lara, they will be promoted, no questions asked.
If they lose or draw, the waters are a whole lot murkier with so many outcomes possible.
In the NPL, Werribee City and Port Melbourne staved off relegation with a 1-1 draw at SS Anderson Oval on Sunday.
The Bees got the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute through Matthew Cundari and kept the Sharks out until the dying seconds when Connor Redden fired in an equaliser for the Sharks.
The draw has kept both clubs in the top-flight for next season.
They both finished on 28 points, one point ahead of second-last Ballarat Red Devils, who lost 2-0 to Oakleigh on a drama-filled final day of the season.
