STAFF WRITERS
SOCCER
GIPPSLAND FC junior teams won three of four matches at the weekend.
UNDER-13
THE Under-13s travelled to Bentleigh to play against Bentleigh United Cobras.
With illness impacting the squad it resulted in only having one substitute for the day.
Gippsland dominated the first half however didn’t have the quality when needed in front of goal.
Gippsland took the lead after a well worked corner kick that came straight from the training ground with Mitch Dastey finishing it off with a side foot finished to the far corner to go in at the break 1-0 up.
The second-half opened up a bit and Gippsland raced to a 4-0 lead with goals from Jett Koppen (2) and Henry Knight.
However a bit of complacency set in allowing Bentleigh to pull two goals back despite some good saves from Cristian Guarascio in goal.
Gippsland steadied and managed to add a fifth through Knight’s second of the game.
UNDER-15
THE Gippsland Under-15s are still striving for their first win of the regular season.
The boys have displayed good form in patches, but conceding early goals has forced the side to chase the game all too often.
Gippsland lost 4-1 to Ashburton.
Ashburton scored in the first minute of the match with a decisive goal.
Gippsland managed to hold sway through the rest of the first-half, with some great attacking runs.
Jesse Dugard was able to grab a great goal from a free kick early in the second half giving the boys some real confidence.
However, after a few positional moves and fresh players from the bench, a reinvigorated Ashburton were able to score three late goals to run away with the match.
For Gippsland, the reliable Angus Dempsey continued his strong form at left back, returning from injury Dylan Rosato played strongly in midfield, while Siya Mapiye and Jesse Dugard were creative on their wings.
UNDER-16
GIPPSLAND’S Under-16s travelled up the Hume Highway to Shepparton in a battle of the regional teams.
In perfect conditions, GFC dominated the play.
Despite this Goulburn Valley Suns scored first.
It didn’t take Gippsland long to respond and equalize with Rex Parini whipping the ball into the box from a corner kick, and Brody Demagistris heading the ball into the back of the net.
Spurred on by the support from their families, GFC scored again five minutes later.
Harry Humphreys was able to tap the ball in after it had rebounded off the keeper.
The dominance of the Under-16s continued in the second half, with Humphreys scoring a second goal.
Goulburn Valley took one back late in the game, but Gippsland produced a true team effort to hold on and win 3-2.
UNDER-18
GIPPSLAND’S Under-18s also made the long haul to Shepparton to take on the unbeaten Goulburn Valley Suns.
The home team had Gippsland FC under pressure from the start, creating several chances.
Gippsland FC were up to the challenge however and were working hard to get into the game.
The visitors were looking dangerous on the break and at the 25 minute mark they would take the lead thanks to Gippsland FC striker Cain Layland finding the bottom corner for the opening goal of the game.
Both teams had several more chances in the first-half however the score would remain 1-0 to Gippsland FC at the main break.
Gippsland FC defenders Connor McGivern and Dylan Dunstall were controlling the back line despite the pressure from the Goulburn Valley Suns.
Gippsland FC were still pressing hard for a second goal and it would be Hayden Berton bursting through for his team’s second goal giving Gippsland FC the belief they could win against the undefeated Goulburn Valley Suns.
There was still plenty of time left for the home team, however Gippsland FC weren’t to be denied a fantastic 2-0 away win.
