HOPPERS Crossing has seen the light at the end of a dark tunnel in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 4.
The Reds have leapt out of the relegation zone for a week at least after a 3-2 win over FC Strathmore at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the big game.
Reds coach Alfonso Opazo told the Weekly his team had put on a united front on and off the pitch to turn its form around.
While most clubs were enjoying the mid-season siesta, the Reds were hard at work, priming for the second half of the season.
“I’ve been pushing them hard,” Opazo said.
“The boys, to their credit, they’re showing up, they’re doing the hard yards and they’re not complaining.
“It shows a commitment and they want to succeed.
“They can see for themselves the results and the way we’re playing football.”
The Reds took a commanding 3-1 lead into half-time after goals to Liam McDermott, Kevin Smart and Julian Zach on Saturday.
The opening 45 minutes panned out to perfection with the exception of the concession of a sloppy early goal.
Opazo warned his players during the break to expect a fired-up Mores team in the second half, and that’s what they got.
“It’s a dangerous scoreline; you can’t get complacent,” he said.
“They get it to 3-2 and momentum can shift and that’s basically what occurred.”
The Reds managed to hold on to all three points.
A feature was their total team defence.
“Your defence starts from up front,” Opazo said.
“I wanted to keep our shape the whole game, which I think we did, we just conceded silly goals.”
Alister Smart, who roams the front third for the Reds, sets the defensive example for his side.
The striker was unlucky not to get on the score sheet as he continuously presented a target and contributed in other areas.
“He does a mountain of work up front, he’s basically our first defender,” Opazo said.
“He’s always putting defenders under pressure and working back for the team.
“He’s unselfish.”
Smart’s brother, Kevin, was perhaps best afield, pulling the strings in central midfield.
Zia Sherzai showed his talent out wide.
The Reds face rivals Bell Park away on Saturday in what Opazo has labelled a ‘‘six point game”.
“It’s a defining moment in our season,” he said.
