Truganina was so close to its first win of the FFV men’s state league 4 season, it could almost touch it.
The Hornets had all three points in the bag until they conceded a shattering 93rd-minute goal to Maribyrnong Greens’ player-coach Omar Makki.
They had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
“Right in the last second,” Hornets president Sergio Lunedei lamented.
“The last whistle … that’s it, it was gone.
“The boys weren’t happy, but you have to accept it, it’s part of the game.”
Musa Kamara’s day turned in that instant.
The star Hornets’ striker was ready to be lauded as the hero of the day after powering home to a go-ahead goal 15 minutes into the second half.
But Kamara’s afternoon ended bittersweet, as he was the one who gave away the late free kick for Makki to score.
Makki stepped up, kicked the ball into the wall, but it fortuitously bounced back to him for a second chance effort.
This he sent into the top corner, sparking celebrations in the Greens’ camp.
The Hornets have only themselves to blame for not slamming the door shut on the Greens earlier.
“We had two or three shots we could’ve put away,” Lunedei said.
“It’s about being more clinical and putting away the chances that you can.
“That’s a lesson you have to learn.”
Aside from his late tackle, Kamara was the Hornets’ stand-out.
His work rate is among the best in his team.
“He’s always working his butt off in the middle,” Lunedei said.
“Then, when he’s striking up front, he gets the goals.
“He does a great job.”
Blake D’Antino produced a number of quality crosses from the right, while Alistair Kilpatrick threatened with his speed from the left.
Captain Rasheed Sheikh-Omar was praised for his work in defence.
“He didn’t risk anything,” Lunedei said. “It’s just unfortunate we copped a goal on the free kick because nothing was getting behind him.”
With one point from two games, the Hornets will be desperate to snare their first win when they travel to Balmoral on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Point Cook had a 2-1 loss to Melton Phoenix on the road at MacPherson Park on Saturday night. Dale Howarth hit the score sheet for the Jets the second time in as many matches.
In state league 2, Hoppers Crossing sunk to a 1-0 loss to Fitzroy City after conceding a goal from the penalty spot in the first half.
Still winless, the Reds will want to secure all three points against Sunbury United at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
