TRARALGON Olympians ended an eight-year Gippsland Soccer League losing streak against Churchill United with a shock 3-2 upset in heavy conditions on Saturday night.
Although out of finals contention, the win restored some pride for the Blues who had been towelled up in recent weeks by Monash and Falcons.
The result reduced Churchill’s lead at the top of the table to five points, and with a match against second-placed Moe next round this year’s League Championship could go down to the wire.
Churchill adapted to the saturated surface early and threatened to take the lead when Taylor Jackson had a goal disallowed for offside.
Olympians scored ahead of half-time when Frank Albanese popped up to settle a goal mouth scramble.
The Rams came out firing in the second half and Paul Riess nearly equalised but his goal bound shot stopped dead in a puddle.
Riess’ dismay was short lived as he saluted from the back post to make it 1-1 after some clever lead up work from Michael Easton who laid on a great cross.
Churchill appeared to take the lead only to again be denied by the linesman’s flag for offside.
Olympians hit the lead at 2-1 when Albanese converted a penalty after Dean Pyle was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Churchill pressed forward in pursuit of an equaliser but Andres Nilo stepped up at the other end to make it 3-1 with a great free kick from prime position outside the box.
The Rams managed a consolation goal from Jackson on the back of a slippery run and cross from debutant Jarryd Johnson to make the final score 3-2.
Monash v Fortuna 60
LATE drama erupted as Monash took a share of the points at Fortuna in a pulsating 1-1 draw.
In a tight opening half, Monash captain Ash Birrell fired the first shot in anger, but his audacious 35-yard free kick was tipped over by Justin Kosakiewicz.
Fortuna skipper Josh Tanti was also denied from a free kick; Ross Johnson turned his effort over the bar and the teams went into the interval at 0-0.
Midway through the second half the game opened up.
Monash was the first to threaten when Daryn Cummings beat everything but the upright.
Tanti then raced through on goal, but was repelled by the feet of Johnson.
Tanti was not to be denied in the 76th minute, however, when he prodded home Johnson’s parry off a Joel Pirotta free kick.
The lead was short lived.
Substitute Eric Sostak was only on the pitch for 30 seconds when he was felled by Kosakiewicz inside the area after breaking clear on goal. The keeper received his marching orders and Birrell duly converted the resultant spot kick.
Sostak nearly earned a late winner, but an attempt on goal was cleared off the line.
Tanti was again unable to beat Johnson at the death as the sides took a share of the points.
Moe v Falcons
SUNDAY afternoon saw the in-form Falcons 2000 travel to Moe United looking to topple the second placed side and extend its undefeated streak to five games.
The birds were in total command for the first 30 minutes but lacked killer instinct, and were made to pay by a clinical Moe side late in the first half.
The second half again started well for Falcons and it levelled the scores through Kevin Carcellar.
With Falcons pressing for a winner and looking dangerous, the Devils capitalised on indecisive defence to score two quick goals and run out 3-1 winners.
Sale v Traralgon City
SALE got over the line against a solid Traralgon City and claimed three valuable points, avenging its loss earlier in the season.
Revenge was on the minds of Sale, which was out of the gates early to go two goals up within 20 minutes.
City regrouped and, when a defensive mishap opened the door for the side to score against the run of play, Traralgon was back in the game at half-time.
Inspired by the late goal, City had Sale pinned in its own half and dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge to trouble veteran goal keeper Chris Richardson.
Sale defended well and took the much-needed points as it defended its position in the top four.
NYU v Tyers
NEWBOROUGH Yallourn United managed to hold off a pumped up Tyers to secure its third win for the season in a goal-fest.
Significantly, the win put a wedge between NYU and Tyers for the wooden spoon.
After going to half-time 2-0 up, NYU came out hard and doubled its lead early in the seond.
Tyers turned up the heat and managed a late wave of chances, capitalising on the Combine’s errors.
The Lightning flurry was not enough as Tyers went down 4-3 at Burrage.
Battle of Britain
THE Battle of Britain semi-finals will take centre stage this weekend as the fight for Gippsland Soccer League silverware intensifies.
Churchill v Moe
THE Red Devils will be out to derail the Rams’ Battle of Britain title defence at Hazelwood South Reserve on Saturday night.
Churchill’s loss to Olympians in the GSL central division last week proved the perennial powerhouse is not impervious, and Moe will fancy an upset.
These teams are set to clash twice in two weeks and this result will be imperative in establishing a mental edge.
Fortuna v Sale
IN the midst of a central division struggle for position, Fortuna and Sale will be desperate to prove their superiority on Sunday at Crinigan Road South Reserve.
With the prestigious GSL League Championship out of reach for both sides they will be pushing hard for a trophy in 2013.
