LAURIE WILLIAMS
SOCCER
LVSL
By LAURIE WILLIAMS
ROUND 5 REVIEW
FALCONS v SALE
FALCONS lived up to their reputation as night time specialists with a huge win over Sale on Saturday night.
Sale was without their regular coach Anouk Meereboer, who was in The Netherlands at her brother’s wedding.
Falcons completely outplayed the Swans, but the 8-1 scoreline didn’t truly reflect the way the game was played.
Sale was competitive in general play, but couldn’t finish off whereas Falcons controlled the midfield giving their strikers Sam Amaira, Nonda Lazaris and Jamie Pistrin free rein.
Sale started the quickest with a shot within 30 seconds from Jude Taylor, just missing from the right. Falcons went upfield with Tom Amaira crossing to Nonda Lazaris who drilled it in at the 10 minute mark.
Only two minutes later Jamie Pistrin was left unguarded and he drove one past the outstretched hands of Cooper Kelly-Williams for Falcons second.
Amaira racked up his first as Falcons ran riot across the park, leading 3-0.
But the home side was surprised when Sale clawed a goal back from Sakhon Khamchom after a good build up.
After good defending from Falcons allowed a long cross ball to Pistrin, who made no mistake in a one-on-one with the keeper.
Sale slumped further behind as Pistrin got into the act again scoring his second with only minutes to half-time as Falcons went in leading 5-1.
Falcons’ Elias Yousef was subbed on after the break and he made his presence felt with long runs along the right wing feeding his strikers.
Sale was under constant pressure, but Conner Hodges, Alan Harris and Brennan McGill were doing their best to control the situation for the the Swans.
Falcons also had good defenders in Joe Auciello and Harley Broadbent, who gave Sale very little options up forward.
Nick D’Alessandro was getting plenty of the ball, giving team mates a good possession rate. Nonda Lazaris was starring on his side of the pitch and he scored Falcons sixth goal but missed two good chances with wide volleys.
A mix up in the box saw Sale with an own goal to give Falcons a 7-1 lead and Lazaris completed his hat-trick to round out the scoring.
Shannon Whadcoat replaced D’Alessandro, but the sub was subbed off only 10 minutes later going down with cramp, leaving Falcons with 10 men for the last five minutes.
NEWBOROUGH/YALLOURN v MONASH
IN an entertaining match the two teams couldn’t be separated at the finish with a 2-2 scoreline the end result.
It was a vital match for both teams with Newborough/Yallourn going in as favourites, but the underdogs from Monash gave it their all to manage a draw.
It was only their sixth draw in 43 matches and the first since their 0-0 draw back in 2014.
Newborough/Yallourn pressed hard for a win, but Monash held firm, denying them full points as Broden Grover scored a brace for the Wolves.
PEGASUS v MOE
PEGASUS retained top spot on the table with a high profile win against Moe in a match where plenty of goals were scored.
There were no beg your pardons in a tough physical clash where either team could have come up trumps.
Moe took the lead early through Matt Shearing after a Connor O’Hanlon cross, but Andre Antonopoulos levelled for Pegasus from a free kick.
The pace of the match was extreme in the almost perfect conditions and Moe again in possession was able to score with the Shearing-O’Hanlon combination taking the Red Devils to a 2-1 lead at the break.
Moe was having the run of play after the break with Shearing scoring his brace to give Moe a 3-1 lead.
Still behind with 20 minutes to play Pegasus moved up a notch to produce a burst where they not only equalised Moe’s score, but scored an extra to complete the come from behind victory winning 4-3 to have their first win over Moe since 1996.
TRARALGON CITY v EAST GIPPSLAND
TRARALGON City recovered from their last defeat to turn things around against East Gippsland, giving the Eagles a 4-1 beating at home.
The Roosters were never in trouble against a feisty East Gippsland taking out their 10th successive win over the Eagles.
It was striker Jake Budija who starred on the day with his first hat-trick of the season.
FORTUNA v CHURCHILL
FORTUNA and Churchill played an Anzac Day match. Details were not known at time of going to press.
ROUND 6 PREVIEW
MOE v NEWBOROUGH/YALLOURN
THE big boys come out to play in the cross town rivalry match, with Moe holding the bragging rights over Newborough/Yallourn. Moe went down to Pegasus last weekend while Newborough/Yallourn was held to a draw with Monash.
Record: Played 44, Moe 30, Newborough/Yallourn 9, drawn 5.
CHURCHILL v FALCONS
CHURCHILL, after their big Anzac Day clash, are home again, this time to the rampaging Falcons who continue to push Pegasus for top spot.
Record: Played 42, Churchill 22, Falcons 16, drawn 4.
MONASH v TRARALGON CITY
AN important clash for both teams with Monash pushing Newborough/Yallourn all the way to salvage a draw while Traralgon City gained full points with a solid win over the Eagles last round.
Record: Played 106, Traralgon City 51, Monash 35, drawn 20.
PEGASUS v FORTUNA
MORWELL inter-town rivals Pegasus and Fortuna battle it out for honours in an important match which could determine where either team will finish.
Record: Played 78, Fortuna 22, Pegasus 38, drawn 18.
SALE v EAST GIPPSLAND
THIS is a big chance for Sale to pick up points. Although their pride was severely injured against Falcons last week they can pick up and dish out a win against East Gippsland who are struggling to be competitive. Sale played well in patches against Falcons but leaked too many goals which looks bad on the result sheet. East Gippsland put in a good game against Traralgon City, making it hard for the Roosters.
Record: Played 9, Sale 7, East Gippsland 0, drawn 2.
REFEREES
THE LVSL are still looking for more referees as there is a decline in the current number of officials.
Ex-players who still have a desire to be involved in the game are invited to attend training
sessions.
Further information can be obtained from Adam Sharp on 0422 024 288.
DEATH OF A LEGEND
FORMER Morwell, Melita and Fortuna champion Tony te Wierik died last weekend after a recent illness.
He will be remembered by many as a likeable person, skilful player, dedicated club and family man and a good chatter.
