Tough terrain: Mount Waverley's Josh Barnetby gets a kick away despite being crowded by Endeavour Hills players on Saturday. Picture: Lucy Di Paolo
MOUNT Waverley's big guns came good in the nick of time to save their club from an upset loss to Endeavour Hills on Saturday.
Last season's Southern Football League division 3 grand finalists trailed by four goals in the third term and were down two goals entering the final 10 minutes after a goal from Falcons midfielder Marty Gaitley.
But from that point the Mountain Lions clicked into action. Captain Jarrod Wilkin, midfielder Christian Cafiso and forward Daniel Pearce all made key plays to get their side back into the game.
A goal from James Gough tied the scores and three crucial behinds gave them the lead.
Pearce then sealed the win in the final minute with a long goal.
Mountain Lions coach Andrew Taranto said his side had struggled to focus during the game, especially after kicking a wasteful two goals, seven behinds in the opening term.
"We played a smart final term after playing stupidly in the first three quarters," Taranto said.
"It was just one of those days where we struggled to switch on and if we were playing properly then we should have put the match out of reach by quarter time.
"I don't know what to say about our goalkicking. You can work
on it all week and then miss that first shot at goal.
"We work on it but I still have to hope we kick it when we get our shots at goal."
Taranto said the likes of Wilkin, Cafiso and Pearce were needed in a game in which his side was missing several first choice players.
"We needed them to lift. Thank god they did," he said.
"Those performances will be the sort of thing I will be happy with when I review the game. They are quality players."
Falcons coach Matt Ashenden said his side would take a lot from battling the Mountain Lions.
But he said his players would rue missing out on a memorable win for their fledgling club.
"To be honest when we got two goals up at the end I thought we were home, that we would hold on," he said.
"But they are a quality side and have played in grand finals so they know how to win matches.
"Hopefully our side can get some respect from the rest of the competition after our performance today."