SECOND-placed Moe United survived a late scare from Newborough Yallourn United to lay claim to the Rookies Cup in round 13 of Gippsland soccer.
Moe had most of the play in the first half, but was able to find the net.
A Jason Koppen-freekick was fumbled to the feet of Adrian Savages, who placed the ball in the back of the net to put Moe ahead.
The intensity increased in the second half as Newborough Yallourn tried to fight its way back into the game.
A Koppen solo effort added a second for Moe, but it did not seal the game.
Newborough found the net late in the half and Moe had to defend to keep its season on the line if it wanted to remain in the title hunt.
The Devils eventually held on to record a 2-1 victory.
Falcons v Tyers
Falcons 2000 continued its strong run of form and an unlikely push for finals football with a convincing 5-0 win over Tyers at Latrobe City Sports Stadium.
The Birds were peppering the Tyers goal early on, but could not break the Lightning’s resolute defence.
It took a wonder goal from Mauro De Luca outside the area to open their account and minutes later Conor Clarke duly converted from the penalty spot to double Falcons lead heading into the break.
The quality of goals continued as Nick D’Alessandro curled a freekick into the top corner with only minutes played in the second half.
D’Alessandro helped himself to a brace when he cleverly chipped the oncoming goal keeper after great leadup play from De Luca to make it 4-0.
Falcons did not let up and were afforded the luxury of bringing on Jesse Kennedy, who found a goal of his own to make it 5-0.
The win pushed Falcons into sixth position.
Churchill United v Traralgon City
Churchill United continued on its winning way with a flattering 5-0 win over Traralgon City at home on Sunday.
City had the better of the opening exchanges as Mark Fairbrother found space on several occasions including a shot that hit the Rams goal post.
Both sides lacked a decisive edge in the final third of the park as the score remained goal less at the half time break.
Two minutes after the restart the Rams gained the lead after Paul Riess converted a penalty when a City defender handled the ball in the penalty area.
Churchill managed to extend its lead to 2-0 when Riess again saluted, this time from general play with a neat finish.
Traralgon composed itself and Fairbrother nearly pulled a goal back with a long range effort but was thwarted by a finger tip save from Rams custodian Jason Sands.
Churchill made the score line look flattering with three goals in the last three minutes of the match, highlighted by Riess scoring his fourth hat trick of the season and Taylor Jackson and Ben Skinner chiming in with one each to make it 5-0.
Monash v Sale United
Monash opened scoring within five minutes of play against Sale United when Ash Birrell converted from the penalty spot after a handball in the box.
John Piefke returned fire for Sale when he converted from close range after a free kick was deflected.
The Swans grabbed the lead minutes later, but Monash levelled the score just before the break when Coen Slaughter volleyed home a Birrell free kick.
Monash regained the lead early in the second half when a sublime Birrell pass was volleyed home at the back post by Daryn Cummings.
The lead was extended in spectacular fashion when defender Jamie Green unleashed a 40-yard volley that left Christoper Richardson with no chance.
It was a combination of Richardson and the crossbar which kept Sale in the contest on no less than five occasions as Monash pushed for a fifth goal.
The Swans struggled to get back in the game with midfield dynamo Tommy Nyugen well shackled by Stevie Birrell.
Sale earned a consolation goal in the 90th minute when Ashley Ross converted the spot kick.
Fortuna 60 v Olympians
In the remaining game of the round, Fortuna fought off a resilient Traralgon Olympians.
All goals were scored in the first half, with Zachary Mangion and David O’Dowd funding the net for Fortuna and Frank Albanese slotting the ball home for Olympians.
