Sydenham Park soccer club moved within touching distance of the state league 1 title by knocking off top-of-the-table Western Suburbs 3-0 at the weekend.
The Reds are now equal on points with Western Suburbs but trail by a goal difference of three with one match left.
But to win the league, Sydenham Park will need to beat seventh-placed Diamond Valley well and hope Western Suburbs fails to beat 11th-placed Corio.
If both sides win, Sydenham Park will have to make up the goals difference deficit.
Sydenham Park coach Alan Muscat said one of the keys to beating Western Suburbs was his side’s ability to control the middle of the ground.
“We thought it would be a battle between the two midfields,” he said.
“We knew they had some real fire power up forward as well and we set ourselves up to nullify that.
“Everybody pulled their weight and played their role to get us over the line.”
Saturday’s win was a remarkable ninth in a row for Sydenham Park, a run which lifted the Reds from eighth place after round 12 to its current lofty heights.
Muscat said he had seen the confidence grow in his players as the wins ticked by.
“Winning games just becomes a habit,” he said.
“After winning nine in a row the boys don’t fear anyone. We go into every game looking to get the three points.
“We know nothing will ever come easy but with hard work and perseverance, we are trying to set ourselves up, week in and week out, to reach that level.
“I can’t fault the boys, all the credit should go to them.”
The Reds have already turned their attention to this week’s match as they aim to make it 10 straight wins.
“We will go into the game just looking for the three points,” Muscat said.
“I have a lot of respect for Diamond Valley and they will be very tough opposition.
“We just need to focus on getting those three points and controlling what we can control.”
In other results from the weekend, North Sunshine edged Westgate 4-3, Cairnlea defeated Sunbury 2-1 and Keilor Park went down 3-0 to Altona Magic.
