It was roll-the-dice time for the Truganina Hornets.
Staring a one-goal deficit in the face to Balmoral at half-time of their Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 bottom-four battle at Arndell Park Reserve on Saturday, the Hornets knew they could not afford to walk away the losing side.
Even a draw was not going to help the Hornets escape the relegation zone.
So Hornets coach Sergio Lunedei went to plan B, populated the midfield and risked further damage on the scoreboard by playing three at the back.
The pressure forced on Balmoral across the middle was telling.
The Hornets scored twice to come away with a drought breaking 2-1 victory – their first win since way back on April 23.
The Hornets survival hopes are looking a whole lot brighter.
“It was well orchestrated by the boys in the second half,” Lunedei said.
“Neither a draw or a loss would’ve been acceptable … that’s why I risked it by putting three at the back. It exposed us a couple of times to counter attacks, but our ’keeper [Dylan Tiatto] was just brilliant.”
Truganina has been in good form since Lunedei took over as coach seven weeks ago – without having tasted glory.
In their previous six games, the Hornets had drawn four and lost only two, so they were undoubtedly on the upswing without cold, hard numbers to back it up.
“Finally we got to that victory,” Lunedei said. “The boys are slowly understanding what they can achieve.
“It’s the third time in a row that we’re not losing and it’s positive that we’ve got three results and it’s starting to put us back on track.
“It doesn’t make us that much more comfortable, but a little bit more confident. From second last to ninth looks better on the ladder.”
If the match-winners for Truganina were second-half goal scorers Kwaku Dade and Martin Ferrer, the game saver was Tiatto.
The Hornets’ custodian was put under pressure on occasions by the Balmoral strikers and remained calm at all times.
“His saves were worth a goal,” Lunedei said. “He kept us on track until we scored the two goals. He’s our security.”
Truganina is two points clear of the bottom-two, but faces crucial games against Altona North and Spring Hills in the next two rounds. Both sides are near the Hornets on the ladder.
Having picked up points against title contenders and not broken through for a win, Lunedei reckons there should be no looking back now for his team.
“I believe in these boys,” Lunedei said. “It’s a young squad, but the talent is there – they’re really good players, but they just have to believe in themselves.”
Meanwhile, Point Cook missed its chance to close the gap on the top two, losing 3-2 to Newmarket Phoenix at Debneys Park.
Harrison Reading and Matthew Lawtey were the goalscorers for the Jets, who will host cellar-dwellers Maribyrnong Greens at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday.
In state league 2, Hoppers Crossing gave up ground in the promotion race with a 2-1 loss to Sunbury United at Langama Park.
Igor Srbinovski found the back of the net for the Reds, but it was to no avail as his side fell four points behind second-placed Essendon Royals ahead of a tough encounter with Altona City at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
In the NPL, Werribee City had a disappointing 2-0 loss to Moreland Zebras at CB Smith Reserve on Friday night.
The Bees, who will host Ballarat Red Devils at Galvin Park on Sunday, remain eighth on the ladder, but slipped nine points behind the seventh-placed Zebras.
