EFL 2022: Wantirna South edges Mitcham to claim fifth-straight win

Wantirna South knocked over yet another EFL Division 1 finals rival on Saturday as it readies itself for a “tough” run home.

Wantirna South has claimed yet another top-five scalp, but senior coach Steve Cochrane is under no illusions the run home will test his side.

The Devils nosed out third-placed Mitcham, 10.5 (65) to 9.5 (59), on Saturday marking a fifth-consecutive win to hang onto fourth spot on the Eastern Division 1 ladder.

The six-point victory follows their 10-point win over fifth-placed Croydon the previous round.

Eight points now separates fifth from sixth, with Wantirna South faced with Bayswater (seventh) this weekend followed by ladder-leader East Ringwood, Lilydale (ninth) and Mooroolbark (second) to round out the home-and-away season.

Wantirna South’s Lincoln Wong was again among the best on Saturday. Picture: Wantirna South FC

“We’ve got four games to go and it’s going to be pretty tough,” Cochrane said.

“We’ve got the two top sides amongst that as well as Bayswater who are going well.

“We haven’t put the cue in the rack thinking we’re making finals yet, we’ve got to win our fair share in the last four weeks.

“The July period’s always a tough period because you’re not close (to finals), you’re sort of in the middle but it really sets up those guys who want to play finals if you can string a few (wins) together.”

Cochrane said the wind played a key factor in Saturday’s match with his side taking control in the second term, turning a three-point quarter-time deficit into a 23-point advantage at the half.

The Tigers cut the margin to 18 by three quarter-time before drawing within a kick with about a minute or so to go in the final term.

“It was pretty much a game of two halves … there was a really strong wind going towards one end, so it was really testing for the boys out there of both sides,” Cochrane said.

“It was whoever could deal with it the best and make use of it, and I think in the second quarter we got on top in that area and we made good use of the wind and were able to put scoreboard pressure on.

“Full credit to Mitcham, that’s why they’ve been so good all year and we were lucky to hold on and the boys toughed it out.”

Wantirna South has banked five wins in a row. Picture: Wantirna South FC

The experienced Lachlan Greig fired on the wing with a best-on-ground performance, while Kye Barlow (three goals) and Lincoln Wong also impressed.

Mitcham spearhead Tom Lovell bagged two majors to finish the visitors’ best.

Greig has played just five matches for the Devils this season, breaking into the senior side in the second half of the year.

“He’s played a lot of senior footy and had a few injuries at the start of the year and couldn’t get himself going, and had been able to string a few good games together in the reserves,” Cochrane said.

“He’s been a great acquisition since the break and has given us a real lift.”