Hume United’s three-game winning streak came to a sudden halt in the FFV state league 2 north-west match against Altona City on Friday night.
After a purple patch of form in recent weeks, third placed Altona City proved too good and won 3-0.
The loss puts a slight dent on the side’s top-four hopes, which had risen on the back of three wins.
Speaking before the match, United coach Robert Spasevski said his players had been working hard towards more consistent results.
“It certainly helps to be able to field the same team three weeks in a row,” he said.
“We’ve progressed as a team over the last month and we’re not the same team we were two months ago.”
Spasevski said one of the biggest differences had been playing well for a whole match and killing games off.
“We’ve halved our errors and it’s allowed us to get more points on the board,” he said. “The one-per centers have improved and we’re now first at the ball. It’s making a huge difference.”
The return to form has coincided with the arrival of Nepalese international Jagjeet Shrestha, who has played in United’s past four games.
“He followed his wife, who is studying in Australia,” Spasevski said.
“I know him through connections and the NPL window was closed so he couldn’t play there.
“We’re letting him play out the season with us.
“He had three goals from three games. He hit the road running.”
United is currently sitting seventh and Spasevski believes a top-four finish is a possibility, something that would see them exceed pre-season expectations.
“It was always a rebuilding year for us and we hoped to give the top four a shake,” Spasevski said. “In my eyes, finishing top four would be over-achieving and we already have two more wins than last year.
“We have a game in hand and all the top sides still have to play each other.
“After the bye I said I’d be happy to get 21 points from 27 [nine games] to finish off the season.”
In other matches, Sporting Whittlesea won a second straight match, defeating Corio 4-2.
Burak Kocak scored a double, while Michael Packovski and Robert Schiafone found the back of the net for Sporting Whittlesea.
The win moves them nine points clear of the relegation zone.
In state league 3 north-west, La Trobe University defeated Lalor United, Upfield drew 1-1 with Westvale and Whittlesea United lost 2-0 to Western Eagles.
