By Lance Jenkinson
New recruit Riel Mamur has boosted the spirits at the Truganina Hornets with a nifty late match-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Bell Park in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4 at Arndell Park Reserve on Saturday.
Mamur came off the bench to play a heroic role in the Hornets win, casually chipping the goalkeeper in second half stoppage time to claim all three points for this team.
It was a pick-me-up the Hornets needed after coughing up a two-goal lead the week before in a draw with Altona North in a game when star striker Gabriele Di Fiore went down with a season-ending knee injury.
Mamur was only signed during the week on the back of the Di Fiore injury and he made an instant impact.
“I brought him in right at the last moment after my striker got injured,” Hornets coach Sergio Lunedei said.
“He’s an old player from the Hornets who has come and gone and decided to come back.
“First game, he came on off the bench and he put away the winner.
“It was a nice goal, a chip over the keeper.”
The injury to Di Fiore was a major blow to Truganina’s title hopes.
Di Fiore injured both his ACL and PCL in the one moment.
With eight goals in five matches, Di Fiore’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, but this stirring victory will at least put a full stop to a terrible week for the Hornets.
It was a case of better late than never for the Hornets.
“Finally, we got the ball in, but it wasn’t until the last minute of the match,” Lunedei said.
“It’s a good side, we respect them as a club, so it’s unlucky for them, but that’s how sport is.”
While Truganina’s front line was weakened by the Di Fiore injury, the return of central defensive pairing Ahmed Ahmed and Omar Sheikh in recent week will make them stronger at the back.
The Hornets kept a clean sheet for the first time in five weeks.
“It’s the first time all season that I had all my defenders back and it showed a difference,” Lunedei said.
It was perfect timing for Truganina with a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash with Western Eagles this Saturday at the Polish Sports and Recreation Complex.
Last time the two sides met, the Hornets were humiliated 8-0.
“That game against Western Eagles, they were the stronger team and we had no defence, so they killed us,” Lunedei said.
“We copped it on the chin and kept going, we’re still fighting for that first spot.”
Nine points behind with five rounds to go, Truganina must win if it has any chance of chasing down the Eagles on the ladder.
Meanwhile, Hoppers Crossing showed it has not given up hopes of survival in men’s state league 1, upsetting local rivals Altona City 2-0 at Kim Reserve on Saturday night.
Simon Tolli and Liam McDermott found the back of the net for the Reds in an at times fiery encounter. The Reds are three points adrift of the safety positions.
Point Cook had a horror day in men’s state league 3, pounded 4-0 by FC Strathmore.
In women’s state league 2, Hoppers Crossing moved a step closer to promotion with a 2-0 victory over Ballarat Eureka Strikers.
Star striker Julia Budiongo-Batota and captain Kelly Black scored for the Reds.
If the Reds can win at home against Fitzroy City, they will be going up next season.
In NPL 2 west, George Slefendorfas scored the game’s only goal in Werribee City’s 1-0 bounce back win over Nunawading City.
