Soccer
State League
By SAMUEL DARROCH
MORWELL Pegasus’ succumbed 3-0 to a polished Diamond Valley on its journey to Partingtons Flat in State League division two south east soccer at the weekend.
New coach Andy Bozikas made a perfect start to his tenure, as the previously winless side stunned Pegasus with three super strikes, the first of which rocketed into the top corner from about 30 metres out.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Pegasus coach Dale White said his charges lifted after the break but could not find a way through the Diamond Valley defence.
“They played out of their skin and we struggled to match them in most departments,” he said.
“They were all very high quality goals and we just did not have an answer.
“The concern for me… is the fact that they had only scored one goal and conceded 11 and all of a sudden they put three past Morwell Pegasus.”
Clayton Bell returned to the starting team and, despite lacking match fitness, held the midfield together throughout the game.
As has been the case all season Pegasus struggled in the final third, while Diamond Valley’s strikers caused headaches all day.
“They were both very lively and caused us a lot of problems, that was the big difference for me,” White said.
The shock loss is the latest in a string of topsy turvy league results.
After posting their first win of the season against Pegasus in the previous round, Springvale White Eagles upset undefeated ladder leaders Langwarrin 2-0.
White said recent results spoke volumes about the need for week in week out intensity due to the closeness in quality of sides at both ends of the ladder.
“The league is very even and consistency is obviously going to win this league,” he said.
“I’m hoping after six rounds we’ve had a couple of wake up calls, if we didn’t have eight points I’d be concerned at this stage.”
After back to back losses, Pegasus will return home to Ronald Reserve this Saturday at 3pm.
