Hume City returned to the winners’ list with a much-needed win against Port Melbourne in National Premier League.
After dropping its past two matches, a win was crucial for Hume in its quest to play finals this year.
Coach Nick Hegarty said both sides had their moments in the 1-0 win.
Paul Wilson scored the winner in the 36th minute.
“It was a pretty tight game and we scored from a set piece,” he said.
“Although we played some good football, they are a good organised team. We were trying to break each other all day.
“I’m a fan of them and their coach. They beat us comprehensively earlier in the season.”
Hegarty said a good week on the track had been behind the return to form after a busy couple of months.
He admitted a lot of soccer in recent weeks might have taken a toll on the squad.
“To get three points on the board reinvigorates things,” he said.
“We’ve played the last two games on Friday nights without a proper training week. A good week on the training ground led us into Saturday.”
The win helps maintain Hume’s spot in the top six. It is currently fourth.
Hegarty said their aim remained to play finals, with six rounds remaining.
“The last couple of weeks, we’ve let everyone behind sneak up on us,” he said.
“Having a game with three points gives us a buffer and it will help build the foundations for the rest of the season.
Hume City has another big week on the pitch, including its Dockerty Cup semi-final against the Moreland Zebras on Tuesday night.
“It’s a big game for us,” Hegarty said. “Moreland are in a league behind us, but they have some talented footballers who should not be at that level.
“Both teams have nothing to lose. They might see themselves as underdogs, but they have players who have played A-League and in the NPL.
“They’re a strong outfit and the game will be determined by who wants it more.”
In NPL 2 west, Whittlesea Ranges’ good form continued with a 3-2 win against Geelong.
The win moves the Ranges ahead of Geelong into seventh spot. The win is the Ranges’ fourth in a row.
