SOCCER

LVSL

By JOHN CARDONA

 

THE billing of two of the most successful Latrobe Valley Soccer League clubs lived up to expectation on Saturday night between Moe United and Falcons.

The Red Devils conceded two goals in the first 15 minutes, but came to defeat Falcons 3-2 at Latrobe City Stadium.

The result saw Moe United hold onto top spot on the league ladder after six rounds.

Falcons dominated possession in the first 25 minutes, putting the Moe United defence was under heavy pressure.

Two spectacular goals came, firstly from a Lachie Frendo blistering drive from 25 metres out after 10 minutes, then another superbly hit drive by Tommy D’Alia at the 15-minute mark. Both goals gave United’s veteran keeper Peter Albanese no opportunity to save both strikes.

Falcons continued to look dangerous, and were not allowing the visitors any chance of getting into their recent attacking style of game, which had seen them score 26 goals in their past three games.

Moe United received an early setback when Luke Bathgate was forced to leave the ground with a hamstring strain, and was replaced by Sammy Lietzau.

Slowly but surely Moe United weathered the onslaught and began to show positive signs.

After 30 minutes, the Red Devils got themselves back into the game when a perfectly timed through ball by central striker Connor O’Hanlon split the Falcons defence open, and current league top goal scorer Riley Winkelman shrugged off a Falcons defender to race clear, then dribble around the oncoming keeper, Callum Dominquezm to make no mistake with his right foot.

Halftime came with the score 2-1 Falcons’ way.

A half time revving by the Moe United Coach, Lee Dastey did not fall on deaf ears, and saw the Red Devils hold the majority of play and have the Falcons defence on the back foot.

Oscar Sceney, Matt Shearing and recent signing in midfielder Lietzau got ahold of the midfield ascendancy, which gave their front three in Tully Anderson, O’Hanlon and Winkelman plenty of opportunity to level the scores.

The constant pressure eventually paid off when a pass up the right wing by Anderson onto O’Hanlon, who then pulled off a superb nutmeg on the turn on his opponent, who raced clear to the by line up the right then sent his cross towards the back post where it was hammered home by Winkelman from close range.

The Moe United supporters were sent into a frenzy at the 65 minute mark as scores were levelled.

Scores remained level until 80 minutes elapsed, when the game began to flow from end to end with both defences forced into some desperate last ditch tackles.

Falcons had a chance to snatch the winner, but Frendo’s shot was blasted high over the cross bar with the match in the balance.

The Red Devil’s found an opening late, when Winkelman helped complete a superb comeback win after he beat his fullback then raced towards goal, cut back his pass, where it was met by Anderson, who put Moe United up 3-2.

Best for Moe United were Chad Shelley, Winkelman, Sceney, O’Hanlon and Lachie McKenzie.

Best for Falcons was D’Allia, birthday boy Joe Aucillio and Dominquez.

 

TRARALGON Olympians are looking like one of the teams to beat, and are the other undefeated side in the championship race.

Olympians defeated Churchill Untied 7-1 at Hazelwood South in a special Anzac Day match.

 

SALE United appear much-improved, and handed Newborough Yallourn United a 4-nil defeat at home.

 

MONASH had the bye, while East Gippsland got on the board with a 3-1 over Traralgon City.