SOCCER
LVSL
Round 12 review
Trafalgar took their game up to league leaders Falcons 2000 in a tough battle but were outdone, 6-1 in round 11.
The Birds got the first in the 10th minute through Sam Amaira but Trafalgar broke through to equalise 10 minutes later when Nathaniel Paredes beat the advancing keeper.
Trafalgar played well in patches and controlled the ball, but were let down by turnovers which allowed Falcons to take control.
It was goal for goal as Falcons broke the deadlock to score their second at 25 minutes when Nonda Lazaris scored, but Trafalgar were able to equalise only a few minutes later with another through Paredes.
A quick thinking Conner Clarke beat two opposition players to give Falcons their third goal and they went in to half-time at 3-2.
Falcons revelled in the second half and wore Trafalgar down.
They added another three goals to their tally through Amaira in the 61st and 67th minutes.
Kevin Carcellar scored a rare goal in the 82nd minute to help Falcons run away with the game.
Newborough/Yallourn v Moe
In an even match, Moe were able to force a draw in injury time after being down and the matched was levelled at 2-2.
The match had its twists and turns and Moe grabbed the lead with a goal from Duach Duach in the second half in the 55th minute.
Newborough/Yallourn replied later through Mark Fairbrother but Moe were forcing errors from the visitors.
Hayden Tanti scored in the 83rd minute for Newborough/Yallourn to put his side one up.
Two minutes into the red zone Moe were rewarded with a goal to Noah Kane to equalise at 2-2 and split the points.
Fortuna v Monash
Fortuna asserted their authority over Monash in a match vital to both teams and came up with a 3-2 win.
The orange Lions showed good form and had a goal on the board at the 15-minute mark from Brandon Scott.
A further goal in the 33rd minute from Kuku Mahmoud ensured Fortuna a two-goal buffer at the half-time break.
Fortuna were reduced to 10 players after a red card send off but it did not deter them as they hit back with another goal from skipper David O’Dowd 15 minutes into play.
Monash tried hard to get past the strong Fortuna defence and were rewarded with two goals in two minutes from Marcus Krznaric at 90 and at 91 minutes from Ryan Semple.
Sale v Olympians
Sale avenged their round one loss to Olympians to demolish the Traralgon team, 4-0 in the reverse match.
The referee was busy and dished out seven yellow cards to infringing players of both sides.
Sale was first to score through Nathi Khamchom in the 44th minute and within a minute the Swans had their second thanks to Joh Piefke.
Sale dominated and piled on two more goals in the 73rd minute through Josh Ryan and at the 76th minute through Nathi Khamchom.
Traralgon City v East Gippsland
Traralgon City scored their highest goal tally in three years when they defeated East Gippsland in a goal-fest where 13 goals were scored, 9-4.
Traralgon City created some records on the way with their highest score since 2015 and the club’s highest ever aggregate number of goals in a match (13).
East Gippsland surprised Traralgon City with some heady play and they had the first goal posted at 11 minutes from Zeb McLeod.
The Roosters hit back and had three goals in the space of 10 minutes with DJ Matar netting at 18 and 25 minutes.
Aliyu Mayiwa chipped in at 28 minutes to put the Easts under tremendous pressure.
The Roosters continued to pile on goals with Dak Kong scoring at the 30-minute mark and then Liam Johnson hit the board for his first of three to put the side 6-1 up at half-time.
Easts had not thrown in the towel and responded with a Thomas Forster goal just before the break.
City went 7-2 up at 51 minutes from Liam Johnson and the score became 8-2 moments later when Dak Kong scored his second.
East Gippsland hit back hard with a goal from McLeod in the 86th minute and in a frenzy of goals Traralgon City scored their ninth from Johnson for a hat-trick.
East refused to lay down and scored their fourth at 90 minutes from Thomas Forster as the final whistle sounded.
Warragul v Pegasus
Warragul were the winners in the Gippsland derby when they defeated Pegasus 2-1 in a tight battle.
Warragul got their first goal in the first half and in the second Pegasus replied to tie the match up at 1-1.
Warragul threw everything into the last 10 minutes and were rewarded with a goal to give them a 2-1 victory.
Pegasus’ next match is away to Casey Cobras next Saturday.
Round 13 preview
In the match of the round Traralgon City are up against Fortuna when third plays fourth this weekend.
The last time they met a nil-all draw eventuated.
The Roosters collected nine goals last week and will be out to prove they are worthy finalists.
Fortuna have improved on last season and will play finals but must get over Traralgon City.
Olympians v Monash
Olympians are knocking on the door of the final five, sitting in sixth on goal difference, and will need to regroup when they face Monash this weekend.
Monash won the first time battle earlier this season but should be prepared for a hungry Olympians team intent on making the final five.
Churchill v Sale
Churchill are coming off the bye and will be keen to make amends after a poor start to the season.
The Rams have held a couple of teams to low scores but are yet to register any points.
Sale are in seventh spot on the ladder but are playing like one of the stronger teams.
Trafalgar v Newborough/Yallourn
Trafalgar have shown they are competitive and their match against Falcons was full of merit, but they fell away towards the end.
Newborough/Yallourn are capable of building a big score but Trafalgar will be pushing hard.
Last time it was an 8-0 thrashing by Newborough/Yallourn but this time around the result could be a lot closer.
East Gippsland v Falcons
East Gippsland showed some fight in their match against Traralgon City last week and scored four goals – their most for the season – but conceded nine.
Falcons are prolific scorers and will pressure East Gippsland this weekend.
