STAFF WRITERS
SOCCER
GIPPSLAND FC
GIPPSLAND FC had four junior teams in action at the weekend.
UNDER-13
The Under-13s travelled to Glen Eira for their Round 4 fixture.
Similar to the previous away fixture they were scheduled to play on a pitch that was more suited to Under-9s than Under-13s.
This led to a rather untidy game of football for both teams.
Gippsland attacked for much of the early part of the game however couldn’t produce the quality required in the final third and when they did the Glen Eira keeper proved hard to pass.
Cristian Guarascio came to the team’s rescue with a host of saves through the day.
Gippsland went 1-0 up through a Maurice Baldacchino strike that took a kind deflection, however Glen Eira equalised to go to the break at 1-1.
The second-half was full of near misses and desperate defending by both teams however Glen Eira managed to get the winner late in the game to finish 2-1 winners.
UNDER-15
The Gippsland Under-15s made the trek to Ringwood to play the seventh place team.
It was a great battle from the first whistle with both teams coming out strong.
It was quite some time before Ringwood managed to make their way through the Gippsland backline and find the back of the net to take the lead at 1-0.
Gippsland quickly responded with a magnificent goal from Jesse Dugard but a quick thinking header then took the Gippsland boys by surprise shortly after to bring the score to 2-1 going into the half-time break.
The second half held much the same intensity from both sides with Noah Jackson, Tanna Leicester and Dugard all putting in valiant efforts for Gippsland however the away side were unable to convert their attempts at goal.
Another quick goal from Ringwood saw the game slip away from Gippsland with the final score being 3-1.
Once again, the results did not reflect the true game with just a couple of slips in concentration on Gippsland’s behalf giving the opposition an opportunity to capitalise.
UNDER-16
The Under-16s played host to South Melbourne at Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for South Melbourne to get on top, scoring three goals in the first-half.
After half-time, Gippsland FC had more attempts on goal, none however hit the back of the net.
The backline worked harder defending the ball and goalkeeper Jeffrey Pearson made many great saves. South Melbourne only scored one more goal to seal a 4-0 win.
UNDER-18
Perfect conditions greeted players and spectators alike as Gippsland FC Under-18s took on Mornington.
Both teams were creating chances in a free-flowing affair and an early goal seemed likely.
Mornington would be given a free kick, just outside the box that was top bin bound until being well saved by Gippsland FC goalkeeper Jared Goodwin.
Gippsland FC were starting to play as they’ve been training and soon after Julian Colantuono would slot home the opening goal after some wonderful build-up play.
That’s how the first half would end as both teams looked to regroup for the remainder of the match.
Gippsland FC started the second half as they finished the first, dominating play and pressing hard for a second goal.
Tana Betera seemed to be everywhere and Brodyn Taylor was creative in the middle of the park as another goal beckoned.
Unfortunately for the home fans a Mornington break would see one of their players go down quicker than a lead balloon with the resulting penalty tying the game at one apiece.
While on tiring legs, Gippsland FC threw everything at Mornington looking for the winner, but time ran out for the brave home team with the game finishing tied at 1-1.
