SOCCER
LVSL
By TOM HAYES and JOHN CARDONA
THE LVSL returned at the weekend, with five games starting the season.
MOE United Soccer Club seniors opened the 2024 LVSL season with the long trek to Bairnsdale and returned home with a comfortable 8-1 win over the returning East Gippsland side.
It was coach Lee Dastey’s first official match in his return to the club after a few years being involved with the Gippsland United Soccer Club.
The highlight of the match was the eight individual goal scorers for Moe United.
It was a scrappy opening 15 minutes by both sides, but Moe United were first to find their feet when a Bayden Heusmann pass picked out Matty Shearing who’s cross from the left side flank found its way through to the back post area where the only player to read the flight of the ball was midfielder Luke Bathgate who coolly side volleyed the ball home from close range.
From then in the first half it was a barrage of attacks on the East Gippy goal, with the second goal coming from a brilliant assist from the signing of ex-Falcons player in Zoran Winkleman, who setup Tanner Pyle’s goal who unleashed a brilliant swerving drive from 25 metres out from goal giving the keeper no chance whatsoever.
More chances were created but both Matt Shearing and Bayden Heusmann put their attempt just wide of the mark.
At the 30-minute mark a brilliant individual effort up the right by Winklemann saw him cut inside the East Gippy defender then hit his powerful drive low and hard into the near side post.
United had the majority of possession and it came as no surprise when a Riley Winkleman up the right saw him cut the ball back to a free Bayden Heusmann who gave the keeper no chance from 10 metres out.
East Gippy were finding their return to the top league a tough proposition against a top side and were soon 5-0 down when impressive debutant youngster Heusmann’s cross was easily slotted home by Matthew Shearing.
East Gippy’s continued to struggle against United but a run by Lachie Dare came very close to open his side’s score only to his shot go inches wide of the near post.
A great first half by United ended with a sixth goal just on the break when Huesmann again had an assist when his cross from the left picked the surging Lachie McKenzie to smash his first time shot into the back of the net.
The half time break did no favours to the Moe United side who struggled to get momentum in the hot conditions and they never reached the impressive heights of the first half, but did manage to create a seventh goal when a creative long searching cross field pass by Brendan Ruddell found an unmarked Oscar Sceney who ran through to goal then cheekily converted the chance through the legs of the advancing keeper.
Late in the match, East Gippy were putting together some impressive patches of play and were nearly rewarded when a shot again by Dare went just wide of goal.
After a frustrating match Riley Winkleman’s persistence finally paid off when he slotted home a through ball from McKenzie.
Nobody could deny East Gippy’s endeavour and they were rewarded just on full time when Dare hit a cracking 20-metre drive which gave Moe keeper Peter Albanese no chance at all.
AROUND the grounds, Fortuna picked up where they left off with a monster 7-1 win over Monash in Newborough.
The Wolves converted their only goal through a set piece on the edge of the area, but their goal was quickly cancelled out via Damon Scott from the penalty spot.
FALCONS 2000 began on the right rack, dispatching Churchill United 4-0 to open the season.
Taking place on Saturday night under the lights, Falcons made it look easy, but a 4-0 result was a big improvement for the Rams.
SALE United and Traralgon Olympians were left all square in a 1-1 draw.
THE score for Tyers Lightning versus Newborough-Yallourn United was not provided.
IF you would like your club’s scores to feature in the newspaper, please email us at sport@lvexpress.com.au to update us, as we can’t rely on GameDay to have the scores out on time.
