Despite rain and cold temperatures making conditions miserable on the field, the top of the table Hanwood took the lead early on in the match and didn’t give Griffith City a chance to take it back.

“The first half started really well,” Hanwood FC coach Brian Bertolin said.

“They were not easy conditions to play in, but it was a solid performance.”

Hanwood came out swinging early on, scoring quickly on their home ground.

However, Bertolin said the team still had room for improvement.

“In the first 20 minutes we got on top and scored a few goals, but then we got a bit sloppy,” he said.

At half-time Hanwood had a 3-0 lead over their opponents, with Bertolin urging his team to focus on playing a controlled game in the second half. 

“I told them not to get too far ahead in their heads and to concentrate on their performance rather than the score,” he said. 

“But it was not a great second half to be honest.”

Hanwood scored again early in the second half, and continued a strong offensive effort.

Despite the growing gap on the scoreboard Griffith City continued to fight hard.

Time after time they were able to take the ball into the attacking area but just couldn’t find the back of the net.

A tireless Hanwood continued their relentless attack with Joe Schrippa impressing the crowd in the final minutes with a kick from half-way sailing into goal to the disbelief of onlookers and players.

Bertolin said his team would be looking to prepare for the upcoming finals in training. 

“We’ve got some tough games coming up with the finals and we probably need to get our combinations up a bit so that is what we will be focusing on,” he said.

Hanwood will go head-to-head with Yoogali SC on Sunday, July 31 at EW Moore Oval.

With only a point separating the teams from first and second place on the ladder, both teams will be hungry for a win.