The halfway point in the season ticked over for the New Zealand Knights with their win over Queensland Roar on Sunday, which took their points tally to a still not-too-flash seven.
But for coach Paul Nevin and his players the mark was significant.
With 10 matches still to
play, the Knights have won twice as many matches as they did last season and have more points than they managed in season one.
But one statistic remains a real concern. They have scored only four goals, and own goals (two) is their leading scorer.
Last season, they managed 15 (at 0.7 a game) compared with this season's pathetic 0.36 goals a match return.
Defensively, in conceding a two a game, they are running close to last season's 2.2 a game.
But there is little time for Nevin to reflect. The Knights are back in action on Friday night against Sydney FC at Aussie Stadium.
It shapes as a game Sydney boss Terry Butcher will not be looking forward to with any enthusiasm.
He will meet a Knights side on a high after their upset win which cost Queensland Roar their second place.
Sydney are back home after dropping points in a 1-1 away draw with Newcastle.
The Jets have had three wins and a draw under new coach Gary van Egmond.
The points were also shared in Melbourne where the Victory and Central Coast ended 3-3 after the Mariners had led 3-2 at halftime.
Adelaide, at home, and Perth Glory were 2-2 at halftime in their clash at Hindmarsh.
But United got home 3-2 after substitute Matt Kemp grabbed the 57th minute winner just three minutes after leaving the bench.
The win came at a cost for Adelaide, who are now second but still nine points adrift of Melbourne, as halftime substitute Paul Pezos was sent off in the 75th minute.
This week's big clash comes on Saturday when third-placed Queensland will try to bounce back against Adelaide in Brisbane.
