PICTURE GALLERY: Truganina Hornets v Laverton Park
TRUGANINA player-coach Sergio Lunedei says Saturday’s 1-1 away draw with promotion contender Laverton Park was a sign of growing maturity from an inexperienced team at the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 5 level.
The Hornets have shown themselves to be competitive with the division’s top sides but are wildly inconsistent and scrounging for points in 13th position on the table.
“We’re improving,” Lunedei said. “We’ve started to grow in our team play and we’re matching the top teams on the ladder.
“It was a question of time – unfortunately it took a bit too much time – but better late than never, and now we can start looking a little bit forward on the ladder.”
The Hornets held an unlikely half-time lead on the road through David Dennerley, who started the season in metro league but has been a revelation since earning promotion from the reserves team.
“He scored against Melton, he scored against Point Cook and he’s scored now against Laverton Park,” Lunedei said. “He’s a target man first of all, he controls the ball really well, he’s got great technique and is quick.”
Laverton Park regrouped and looked a more menacing unit in the second half, enjoying a period of dominance in which it hit the crossbar twice before finding an equaliser through an Ajak Panek header.
Goalkeeper Sean Sumner was singled out for praise for his efforts in denying the home side a winner.
The midfield of Lunedei, captain Rocco Giovanniello, Andrew Cassar and Edgar Lopez was solid all game.
The Hornets will be confident when they host Greenvale United at Arndell Park on Saturday.
