Hoppers Crossing is eager to maintain its ruthless streak en route to an expected Football Federation Victoria men’s State League 4 West title.
The Reds’ only blemish, if you could call it that, was a drawn game with Sebastopol in round 13.
They have collected 40 of a possible 42 points this season to sit 10 points clear on top of the table and are the unbackable favourites to claim the premiership.
But Reds captain Kevin Smart says his team won’t be content until it breaks new ground.
“We set a target at the start of the year to try and win every game and that went out the window, so our goal now is to not lose a game,” he said. “I won’t be satisfied and I know a lot of the players won’t be satisfied if we win the league and sort of slacken off.
‘‘We want to set a points record for the club.”
The Reds overcame a tricky obstacle in the Brimbank Stallions at Grange Reserve on Saturday.
The Stallions drew first blood, but a headed Tom Orndahl goal, served up by a neat cross from Zia Sherzai, restored parity at half-time.
The game was not in the Reds’ keeping until five minutes from time when a glancing header from Khalil Assaad after a cross from Dane Garbett found the back of the net.
The 2-1 win was a triumphant return for Assaad, playing his first game in more than a month after a calf injury.
Smart believes the challenges will get tougher for his team the longer the season wears on.
“We’ve got a target on our back,” he said. “Everyone wants that first scalp of beating us.”
In other games, Point Cook was no match for promotion chasers Melbourne City, going down 4-0 at Saltwater Reserve.
The Jets fell a spot to seventh on the ladder after the heavy loss.
In State League 5 West, Truganina Hornets’ title aspirations suffered a blow with a disappointing 3-1 loss to Lara on the road at Lara Recreation Reserve.
The Hornets have slipped three points behind ladder leader Spring Hills FC.
The lone goal came from through Sebastian Gudelj.
It will be a quiet weekend in State League 4, with just two games being played on a weekend reserved for catch-up games.
The Reds will be among those in action, facing Altona North at Duane Reserve on Saturday.
Check out our action gallery from Point Cook’s defeat to Melbourne City at
www.wyndham.starweekly.com.au.
