SOCCER
LVSL
Round 13 review
Traralgon City and Fortuna fought out a thrilling 2-2 draw with all goals coming in the second half.
Both teams were without the usual strikers with Fortuna coach David O’Dowd away in the USA and striker Kuku Mahmoud suspended leaving a big gap across the forward zone.
Traralgon City were lucky not to have conceded a goal when Fortuna’s Shane Cassar’s shot hit the bar. Further shots at goal were saved by Traralgon City keeper Chris Hall.
Nelson Tombra, Harvey Bates and Takudzula Gwara were all busy for Fortuna.
Traralgon City’s defensive line of Jack Lester, Ralph Austen and Rob Spiers was solid, not giving Fortuna any avenue to score.
Traralgon City’s best moment came at 40 minutes when Jake Budija’s shot was parried away by Andrew Heyden.
Fortuna’s Nathan Pace was stretchered from the field just before half-time after stretching for a wayward pass.
After half-time Fortuna got on top and Shayne Cassar finally broke through after a good pass from Harvey Bates.
Traralgon City set up possession and they were rewarded as Jake Budija posted the equaliser at 69 minutes.
Heyden Cook, showing good skills, was able to beat his marker and crossed to Nelson Tombra who drilled it home to give Fortuna back the lead.
The Lions went down to 10 players after receiving a red card with 10 minutes to play.
Jack Lester scored the equaliser as the game wrapped up a 2-2 draw their third successive drawn match.
Traralgon Olympians v Monash
A goal by Monash’s Braden Paulett just before half-time was enough to secure the three points for Monash against Olympians.
Both teams went into the match with high expectations and for most of the match it was an even contest.
Olympians had chances thrown away after shots from Stephan Sbaglia and Ivan Vekic went wide mid-way through the first term.
At the other end Olympian’s keeper Chris Alimpic came under pressure with attacks from Monash’s Chad Shelley and Ryan Semple but it was the elusive Paulett who finally outwitted the experienced keeper just before half-time to give Monash a 1-0 lead.
Olympians had a late chance from Alradi Ali but the shot was saved off the line by the man in pink Enda Murphy.
Sale v Churchill
Sale struggled against a fired-up Churchill team in a vital match for Sale who are making a concerted effort to get to the final five.
Churchill ran up plenty of resistance to Sale’s usual attacking soccer.
After 44 minutes of high pressure Sale were rewarded with a goal to Nathi Khamchom which proved the difference between the two sides.
Neither could score in the cold conditions of the second half but Churchill could take a lot from the game, keeping the Swans to only one goal whereas the last time it was a 6-0 thrashing.
Newborough/Yallourn v Trafalgar
For the second time in their eight matches played, it was a drawn game with Newborough/Yallourn denying Trafalgar their first win over the combine with a last gasp penalty.
Trafalgar had their heads up after 10 minutes when Nathaniel Parades tipped one past the keeper but this was soon replied to by Newborough/Yallourn’s Mark Fairbrother to level at 1-1.
Trafalgar’s second half was a lot better and their possession rate increased.
Another goal at 72 minutes from Josh Parades brought the small pro-Trafalgar crowd to their feet but Newborough/Yallourn lifted and with six minutes to play they were awarded a penalty.
The penalty taken by Mark Fairbrother was accurate for his brace which levelled the scores once again at 2-2.
East Gippsland v Falcons
Eight was a big number for Falcons as they white-washed East Gippsland 8-0 in their eighth meeting which have all been won by Falcons.
The tally was the highest this season for Falcons which beat their six goal tally against Trafalgar last week.
Jesse Kennedy was in his best form for a number of weeks and he scored half of his team’s tally of eight goals to take over the League tally with 12 goals. Sam Amaira was not far behind scoring a hat-trick and Conner Clarke finished off the rout with a cleverly played ball as Falcons ran out winners 8-0.
Pegasus v Caulfield United
Morwell Pegasus now find themselves on the bottom of the table after going down to fifth-placed Caulfield United Cobras two-nil.
Pegasus have won only twice with three draws to take their tally to nine points.
Pegasus have a big chance this Saturday when they play ninth-placed Eltham Redbacks at home whom they defeated 4-3 earlier this season.
A big lift in the latter part of the season is needed for Pegasus to get out of the relegation zone.
Pegasus women
Pegasus continued their climb towards the top with a solid 3-0 win over Casey Panthers.
Two goals to Elise Winkel and a further one to Chloe Rodda ensured third place on the ladder.
This Sunday Pegasus are home to fifth-placed Glen Waverley.
Latrobe Valley Women
Traralgon City and Fortuna fought out a thrilling 0-0 draw between the top two teams on the ladder.
Fortuna hold top spot while Traralgon City are in second.
Both teams had limited chances but were unable to score. Fourth-placed Monash had a comfortable victory over Olympians with a 3-0 win.
Sale fired up over Churchill to record a 5-0 victory while third-placed Trafalgar belted Newborough/Yallourn 5-1 and seventh-placed East Gippsland held out for a 2-2 draw against fifth placed Falcons.
Round 14 preview
Third-placed Newborough/Yallourn are home to East Gippsland and will be in a position to add more points to their tally.
They sit six points below Falcons but only two points above Traralgon City and Fortuna.
It does not appear likely that East Gippsland could beat Newborough/Yallourn but the East did beat them last year in a surprise result.
This will be the eighth meeting between the two camps with Newborough/Yallourn holding a 6-1 advantage.
Fortuna v Olympians
Fortuna are sitting in fourth position, only a game clear of Olympians, and will need to get goals on the board to give themselves a real chance of finishing higher on the table.
Fortuna’s two main strikers are missing which allows players to step up but Olympians will be pushing hard especially after going down to Monash last weekend.
The last time it was a 5-1 win to Fortuna but this time round Olympians may reverse that result.
Traralgon City v Falcons
After their scoreless draw against Fortuna last weekend the Roosters will be in a mean mood against Falcons.
Last time these two met Falcons scraped in for a 1-0 win and results this time round could be a one goal difference or even a draw. Traralgon City need a win to stay ahead of the pack.
Monash v Churchill
Monash in eighth position are within striking distance of fifth place with only one point separating teams from fifth to eighth. Churchill are still yet to break the ice but their form against Sale last week was impressive and if that form continues then they have every chance of a surprise win.
Last time Monash won 3-0 but this time round Churchill could provide plenty of opposition.
Sale v Moe
A big game for both sides, Sale are in fifth with Moe in sixth, both on 19 points and neither can afford a loss.
Last time it was a 3-2 victory to Moe but Sale will be pushing hard for a win to consolidate fifth position.
