By LIAM TWOMEY
TAYLORS Lakes has rocketed into Division One finals contention in the Essendon District Football League after a gutsy win against Glenroy on Saturday.
Going into the match both teams were locked on six wins and three losses apiece in what would be a traditional eight point game as the top end of the ladder begins to take shape.
Nothing could separate the two playing groups throughout the contest as the momentum continued to switch in the wet and windy conditions.
It was Taylors Lakes though that was able to get a handle on the weather and took a seven point lead into the last quarter.
From there the Lions were never challenged and produced a blistering seven goal final term as the margin ballooned out to 26 points.
Despite a fighting effort from Glenroy captain/coach Lance Whitnall, there was no coming back for the Kangaroos as the Lions secured the win 12.10 (82) to 8.8 (56).
The victory caps off a remarkable turnaround for Taylors Lakes. In recent weeks the club has gone from battling to stay out of Division Two to a premiership threat.
The Lions are now only two games behind top of the table Airport West.
In other Division One results, Hillside kept its hopes of staying out of Division Two alive after a fighting win over Moonee Valley.
The Sharks’ players knew it was a must win match going in and they certainly wasted no time kicking to the ascendancy with a four goal to none first quarter.
Despite Moonee Valley continuing to fight out the match the Hillside players always had a little too much in the tank for their opponents and kicked away to a 41-point win.
The Sharks now appear to be the only team who can force their way out of the Division Two relegation zone.
They are set to face an uphill battle though and are two games hefty percentage behind their nearest rivals Hadfield, Westmeadows and Glenroy.
With no other choice but to keep winning, the club will take on East Keilor this week.
In Premier Division results, a goalless final quarter cost Keilor any chance of causing an upset victory over Oak Park as the Blues went down by 28 points.
Dylan Joyce and Jarrod Garth continued their outstanding seasons for Keilor as both were named in the club’s best players in the 13.20 (98) to 10.10 (70) loss.
The result means Keilor now sit two games behind Oak Park and Maribyrnong Park in fourth and fifth on the ladder respectively.
