Hoppers Crossing has been living on the edge in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 2 recently, but coach Shaun Barbara is not concerned in the slightest.
The Reds have maintained hot pursuit of ladder leaders Altona City, trailing their rivals only on goal difference, but they certainly have tried their luck over the past fortnight with narrow one-goal wins in high scoring games against bottom-half teams.
Barbara walked away from Saturday’s 3-2 win over Cairnlea comfortable his side was the better of the two at Cairnlea Park, much the same as the win over Sporting Whittlesea the week before with an identical score line.
“Some of the results aren’t showing a true reflection of what’s actually going on,” Barbara said.
“We were in control for most part of the game [against Cairnlea] and, ultimately, we came away with the result that we deserved.”
Hoppers Crossing has a bit of a who dares wins mentality.
The Reds are not too bothered with the times they let in multiple goals because they are confident they will score more than the opposition.
Sure, Barbara would like more clean sheets, but not at the expense of a weakened attack.
The Reds are the top-scoring team in the league, averaging 2.87 per game.
If they keep up that rate, they will win more often than not, and that is something Barbara does not want to mess with, even if his side is fourth-ranked for defence.
“We play to a structure, we play to a game plan and to a purpose, but the players also have creative freedom on the park and that’s left to their own intuition,” he said.
“They believe in themselves and I believe in them, and that’s why things have happened the way they have.
“Scoring goals is always at the forefront of our mind to get ourselves on the front foot.”
The Reds have scored two or more goals in every game bar one this season.
It was no surprise that Habib Fleifel’s double for Cairnlea was still not enough, with Hoppers Crossing finding the back of the net three times through Kwaku Dade, Kevin Smart and the match-winner Daniel Sweeney.
“At no stage do we push the panic button,” Barbara said.
“We know the qualities we have in our squad and we know we’ve got goals in us.”
The only time Hoppers Crossing hasn’t scored two or more times in a game was when it was blanked by Altona City – the side that stands between them and top spot.
The Reds will meet City in a blockbuster at Grange Reserve on Saturday, a game that could be crucial in the race for the title.
In men’s state league 4, Point Cook missed its chance to go top, losing 3-1 to Golden Plains in a shock result at Saltwater Reserve.
The Jets will travel to Newmarket Phoenix on Saturday keen to make up lost ground.
Truganina Hornets were competitive against a top half side in North Melbourne Athletic, but lost 2-1 at Ron Barassi Snr Park.
In men’s NPL2 west, Werribee City was defeated 1-0 by Northcote City in a tight affair at Galvin Park on Sunday.
The second-last Bees, winless in three games, will be keen to get back in the winners’ circle when they travel to Epping to face Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
In women’s state league 3, Hoppers Crossing’s promotion hopes hit a snag with a 4-1 loss to second-placed Spring Hills at Springside Recreation Reserve. The Reds are now four points out of second spot.
Point Cook remains four points clear on top of the ladder after a 2-1 win over FC Strathmore at Strathnaver Reserve.
