Hume City puts on a five-­star show

Daniel Clark scored twice for Hume City on Saturday. Picture Shawn Smits.

Hume City’s return to form continued with a 5-­0 victory over Northcote City in the National Premier League on on Saturday,

After an early­-season form slump, Hume City has won the three of the last four games and scored eight goals in the last two.

Scores were level at half-­time on Saturday before 40 minutes of dominance from Hume.

Daniel Clark opened the scoring in the 50th minute and Kym Harris added the second 21 minutes later.

Theo Markelis joined the party to make it 3-­0 and when Harris and Clark both scored their second goals, the avalanche was complete.

Speaking before the game, Hume City coach Louie Acevski said the his players were finally settling into the season.

“The boys have done well over the last couple of weeks and have been good at what they’ve done,” he said.

“The basics have been the key and we’ve got the second best defensive record in the league.

“All the defenders have been consistent and it’s been a real team effort.”

Acevski expected a slow start to the season because of the late start to pre­season training after

Hume’s long run in the nation­wide FFV Cup last season.

Acevski now wants City to continue the momentum established in recent weeks.

“There’s a long way to go . . . the championship isn’t a sprint,” he said.

“We want to pick up as many points as possible before the closure of the transfer window. We’re after consistent performances like the last four games.”

Hume has added Craig Carley to its squad. Carley will take to the field once the transfer is complete.

Craig Carley, previously played with Goulburn Valley Suns and was a prolific scorer, topping the NPL 2 scoring last season.

“Craig is an out­and­out scorer,” Acevski said.

“Tom Cahill isn’t available, Kym Harris has been doing well and Daniel Clark has returned from injury, but we want to reinforce our attack.

“We’re also hoping to have Tom on the park sooner rather than later.”

Acevski said he still wanted to add players to the squad.

“We want another centre midfielder to help Joey Franjic,” he said.

“At left back we’ve only got Deniz [Yildiz]. He’s doing a great job but it’s a long season and we want someone to help him”

Meanwhile, Hume’s dreams of returning to the national stage of the FFA Cup remains on track after drawing the only state league side left in the Victorian competition.

They play Malvern City in the sixth round of the Victorian stage on May 18.

In NPL 2 west, Whittlesea Ranges lost 4-­1 to Dandenong City.