Hume City back in winning form

Hume City coach Dean Hennessessy. Picture Shawn Smits.

Hume City returned to the winners list on Saturday night for the first time since round one in the National Premier League.

After a last-gasp win against Melbourne Knights in the season opener, City has been on the end a couple of draws and a couple of close losses.

While City had been able to find the back of the net in the first five rounds, technical director Dean Hennessessy said they were conceding too many goals.

On Saturday night, the team defeated FC Bulleen Lions 1-0. Liam Boland was the sole goal scorer.

“It was very important after two disappointing weeks,” Hennessey said. “We had scored joint most goals this season.

“We had two tight games where we should have come away with something.

“We were ahead twice in the game against Bentleigh Greens and lost on the last kick.

“Then we had a really good game against Kingston City

Hennessessy said the club’s opening FFA Cup match against Langwarrin, played between City’s win over Bulleen and its previous NPL match, had been a blessing in disguise.

City won 8-0 with skipper Nick Hegarty scoring a hat-trick.

“It was an important to win that game,” he said.

“Once we were in front 4-0 after an hour, the focus was to make sure we had a clean sheet.

“We took that same mindset into training and they wanted to do the same on the weekend, which we did.”

City is seventh on the ladder, with two wins, two draws and two losses.

Hennessessy said that while the sides was behind where it would like to be at this stage of the season, the players were continuing to grow as a team.

“We brought 13 new players to the club, so there were major,” he said.

“Boys are working really hard to get to know each other and trust each other on the field.

“There’s no magic wand. Most of the successful teams only change one or two players.”

Meanwhile, in NPL 2 west, Whittlesea Ranges lost to Northcote City 2-1.

Ranges are sixth on the ladder with three wins, two losses and two draws.