Laurie Williams
SOCCER
LVSL
Round 18 review
Moe jumped up one place on the ladder and are in contention for a final six finish after a win over Fortuna, 4-3.
Fortuna got the break early at 10 minutes through Brandon Scott but Moe followed up with an equaliser five minutes later from Nick Dastey.
Fortuna recovered and scored again at 37 minutes from Scott again but Moe on the rebound equalised only a minute later from the first to Sam Gatpan.
The game was locked at 2-2 at the break. Fortuna hit the front again when a defensive error by Moe allowed an own goal on the hour.
Moe’s Riley Winkelman-Atkinson stood up to produce some magic at 70 minutes to equalise again.
Moe stood firm and at 86 minutes Gatpan scored his second to seal the game.
Sale v Falcons
In what was touted as the match of the round top team Falcons defeated third-placed Sale, 4-0.
Sale had no answer to the pressure applied by Falcons who moved around the park and set up scoring opportunities at will.
Falcons’ Sam Amaira got the breakthrough when he beat the Sale keeper at 27 minutes and followed up with a solo run only four minutes later to give Falcons a 2-0 edge.
Jamie Pistrin put Falcons three up before the break. League goal-scoring ace Jesse Kennedy completed the rout to give Falcons the win.
Olympians v East Gippsland
Olympians knew the importance of a big scoring win against East Gippsland and got just that, 4-2.
Olympian Jaydon Steele scored after just two minutes when he caught the East Gippsland defence off guard.
There was further joy for Olympians when Germaine Otieno beat the keeper for their second.
East Gippsland kept plugging away without success until Ben Gillard found a gap in the Olympians’ defence just before half-time.
Alradi Ali found space and drilled home a goal for Olympians seven minutes into the second half.
Jaydon Steele scored Olympians’ final goal with three minutes to play but again East Gippsland kept going and were rewarded with a goal from Zeb McLeod on the whistle.
Monash v Traralgon City
Monash were big winners over Traralgon City, 5-1, in a game which may determine the final six.
City now lie outside the eight while Moe are sitting in fifth place on goal difference.
It took just three minutes for Monash to show City they meant business when Ethan Lawrence passed the keeper for the first goal.
Reliable defender Marcus Krznaric strolled down from defence to net the second goal at 15 minutes.
Monash led 3-0 at half-time after Chris Oulton scored on the half hour and got his second to give his side a 4-0 buffer. Liam Aqualina saved the day for Traralgon City when he popped one through at 71 minutes.
Ryan Semple finished the game on a high-scoring note at 90 minutes to give Monash the win.
Churchill v Trafalgar
Churchill inflicted a punishing 4-0 victory over Trafalgar.
In the eight matches between these two teams it is now four victories each.
LVSL women
Traralgon City are clear leaders with a two-point gap from Trafalgar and Fortuna.
Fortuna still have a game in hand against sixth-placed Falcons.
Traralgon City were big 5-0 winners over Monash while Trafalgar jumped into second place with a resounding 9-0 win over Churchill.
The battle for mid position continued with East Gippsland jumping into fifth after beating Olympians 4-1 and Sale pressing for the six defeating Falcons 2-1.
Pegasus men state league south east
Pegasus suffered one of their biggest defeats of the season at the hands of Richmond, 9-0.
Pegasus sit seven points below 10th-placed Casey Comets but play three lower placed teams over the next four weeks in South Springvale, Casey Comets and St Kilda.
Pegasus need to win at least three games to avoid relegation to second division. This week they play away to fourth-placed Mornington.
Pegasus women state league three south
Pegasus are sitting in fourth position after their 1-1 draw with Beaumaris.
After an early goal by Amy Radford, Pegasus went in at half-time a goal up but Beaumaris – through Nicola Bonanno – equalised on the hour.
This weekend Pegasus are away to eighth-placed Caulfield United.
Pegasus state league four south women
Pegasus scored two goals before half-time from Aliet Bior and Emily Robinson to hold off Noble Park and win 2-0.
Pegasus are in 11th position but will find it an uphill battle this weekend against second-placed Old Mentonians.
Round 19 preview
After the bye last week, Newborough/Yallourn will be keen to get back in the action in the match of the round against third-placed Sale.
Their last match produced a 2-2 draw and on form this match could go the same way.
A loss to either team will see them drop position on the ladder.
Traralgon City v Olympians
The Traralgon derby always produces a treat for spectators.
Traralgon City and Olympians have played 74 derbies with Olympians holding the bragging rights, 36 to 23.
Olympians are currently in sixth but have the chance to climb a couple of pegs while Traralgon City need some big wins in their remaining matches to make finals.
Falcons v Monash
An important match for both teams as each has a game in hand due to weather cancellations a fortnight ago.
Monash are riding a crest at the moment and sit in fourth place while Falcons look set for the championship holding a six point lead. Monash really need to win to hold their position.
Falcons won the last encounter 2-1 but Monash are fighters and will make it difficult for Falcons. This is the broadcast game of the month on Gippsland FM.
Trafalgar v Moe
Trafalgar dropped a game against Churchill last week in their worst result against the side.
Moe are fifth and are determined to climb higher after their win against Traralgon City last weekend.
The Devils should atone for their first round draw with Trafalgar and take the points.
East Gippsland v Churchill
The Churchill Rams are a good chance to win their second consecutive match after toppling Trafalgar last week.
The Eastern Eagles are tougher at home but have the knowledge that their only win for the season was against Churchill in the first round.
Churchill will pull out all stops to win.
