Truganina Hornets lapped up the chance to finally play at home and grabbed their first win of the season on Saturday.
They beat Altona North 2-1 in familiar territory at Arndell Park Reserve to get their state league 4 season back on track.
After picking up only one point in three matches on the road, the Hornets entered the game with a must-win mindset, and it was a case of home sweet home as they produced a commanding performance to pick up maximum points.
“After three away games, we finally got to play a home game, so we had to win,” Hornets president Sergio Lunedei told Star Weekly.
“The pressure was on. Something had to happen for us.
“The boys responded pretty well and the victory was never in doubt .”
Truganina went to half-time a goal to the good after Musa Kamara turned and fired low past the Altona North keeper.
There was a collective sigh of relief for the Hornets, because goals have been a rare occurrence this season.
Including the two on Saturday, they have scored just three in four games, not the kind of return they wanted from the chances they had created.
“We’re struggling with that side of things,” Lunedei said. “The good thing is we are creating the chances and sooner or later we’ll put them away.”
Truganina’s search for an insurance goal proved a little harder, although it eventually came off the boot of attacking midfielder Kwaku Dade from a Kamara cross.
It was fitting for Dade to score, as he worked tirelessly in the midfield to serve his forwards.
“He’s a gun,” Lunedei said of his new recruit, who signed as a free agent in the summer.
“He was a consistent pain for Altona. For what he created and the way he played, he was probably the best on field.”
Truganina pressed for a third goal, which did not come. Instead, Altona North pulled one back in the dying minutes but never threatened an equaliser.
It was a sweet result for Lunedei, who previously played and coached at Altona North.
Truganina will be away for a fourth time when it visits Spring Hills on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Point Cook has leapt up to fourth following its 4-1 thrashing of Maribyrnong Greens at Skinner Reserve.
Dale Howarth scored a double for the Jets, taking his tally to six goals in four games.
In state league 2, Hoppers Crossing celebrated long and hard into the night after a 1-0 win over rivals Altona City at Kim Reserve.
The Reds’ second consecutive win was settled with an early goal to John Little.
