MYRTLEFORD has thrown the AWFA title race wide open after a 5-0 thrashing of top-placed Boomers FC.
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The Savoys showed why they’re a dark horse for the championship with Sunday’s win at Glen Park - three-second half goals completing one of their best wins of the soccer season.
While Boomers remain on top of the table, the Savoys are now just three points behind and with a superior goal difference.
Myrtleford coach Joey Artavilla knows his side now has to keep a lid on expectations.
“To come to Boomers, I’ll take the three points, definitely, but to walk away with five goals we’ll definitely take that,” Artavilla said.
“Our aim is to continue winning.
“I said to the boys, ‘If we win today, we’re still in (title) contention but if we lose we focus on the cup’.”
The win had added significance for Savoys winger Matt Vaccaro, who lost his grandfather Paul late last week.
The Myrtleford players wore black arm bands, while a minute’s silence was held before the game.
On a rain-soaked Glen Park pitch, the Savoys made their intentions clear from the start.
Michael Sacco and in-form striker Matt Park found the back of the net in the opening forty five minutes, before Park completed a brace in the second half.
Lewis Holloway and Dan Kelly put the icing on the cake in the second half with goals of their own.
While Boomers were without influential playmaker Pieter Noordewier because of suspension, coach Andrew Grove said there were no excuses.
“Not our best game,” Grove said.
“We went in a little bit undermanned, and it showed.
“They’ve got a lot of quality up front, (but) I thought we handed them a lot of goals which we’ve been doing a lot this year.
“It was poor passing in our backline and I think most of their goals came from a turnover, which kills ya.”
For Myrtleford to win the championship, it would need Boomers to drop a game in the last three rounds - as well as keep winning itself.
And Grove isn’t about to admit defeat.
“We’re still first so it’s not the end of the world,” he said.
“They still have to catch us.
“We’ve played them, Wang, Albury City … they could all win it.
“The league could come down to goal difference because a few teams will finish on the same points.”
Boomers face Melrose next week, while Myrtleford has Albury City in another season-defining game.
“The boys will enjoy it tonight and we’ll focus on City next week,” Artavilla said.
“We’ll just do the same as we have done.”
