Sale United returned to the winners circle with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over fellow finals aspirants Monash in round 10 of the Gippsland Soccer League.
The Swans were keen to make amends for last week’s loss to Falcons and were on the board early when a great through ball from Ashley Ross was neatly put away by in-form striker Jon Piefke.
The game turned into an arm wrestle with neither side willing to give an inch and at half-time the score remained at 1-0.
After the restart the Wolves attacked searching for the equaliser but the Sale defence, headed by goalkeeper Jacob Richardson, was up to the challenge.
Callum Clancy made it 2-0 with an attacking run from midfield to beat Monash goalkeeper Russell Musgrove who had advanced off his line.
It was 3-0 when Clancy converted a penalty after Tommy Nguyen was brought down in the box.
Ray Allred rounded out the scoring for Sale after chasing down a wayward pass to coolly finish.
In the shadows of full-time Monash claimed a consolation goal when a penalty was converted by Ashley Birrell.
Moe United v Newborough-Yallourn United
Moe has climbed to fifth on the GSL ladder with a narrow 1-0 victory over rivals Newborough-Yallourn.
Moe held the early attacking ascendancy but was unable to convert, squandering several chances.
NYU came right into the match and almost claimed the lead when Jayden Mathison beat the Moe defence and narrowly pushed his shot wide.
The second half continued in scrappy fashion and the combine looked like they had done enough to claim a point.
However, with 10 minutes to play the Red Devil’s Matt Shearing pounced on a well-placed Mark McHallam cross to give Moe its second win on the trot.
Washouts
The remaining scheduled fixtures; Falcons v Churchill, Olympians v Fortuna and Tyers v Traralgon City, were all washed out.
The GSL is expected to reschedule these matches and will make an announcement this week.
Round 11 preview
On Sunday Traralgon City (fourth) hosts Sale United (third) with both teams eager to put a gap on the chasing pack of teams.
Last time they met City won 1-0 but the Swans have improved since then, and with Piefke providing a goal scoring avenue the Roosters will have their work cut out for them.
Also on Sunday Monash (sixth) faces Falcons (seventh ) in a must-win for both clubs after drawing 2-2 last time.
Moe (fifth ) will be on its toes when its hosts the unpredictable Tyres (eighth) after losing to the Lightning 5-3 in its last outing.
On Saturday night Fortuna (second) plays Newborough-Yallourn (10th) with memories of its narrow last minute 1-0 win back in round two.
Also on Saturday night Churchill (first) plays Olympians (ninth) with the Blues aiming to improve on its 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Rams last time they met.
