STAFF WRITERS
SOCCER
LVSL
IN what has been a thrilling race to the Latrobe Valley Soccer League championship, with a false start last weekend only adding to the drama, it was Falcons 2000 who prevailed with a comfortable win away to Monash.
Fortuna 60, ever so gallant, made light work of Sale United, but the result would be inconsequential.
MONASH v FALCONS
ON a lovely winter’s day, Falcons ensured it was one to remember for players and fans alike, as they made light work of the in-form Wolves with a 5-0 victory.
The Morwell side got off to the perfect start as young gun Nonda Lazaris slotted home the first goal to put his anxious teammates at ease.
Monash wouldn’t make it easy however, as a disallowed goal and a goal line clearance certainly made the top side take notice that it wouldn’t be a fait accompli.
However, the Birds soon made it two with Lazaris making it a brace with a one-on-one finish.
After halftime it was all one-way traffic as strikers Sam Amaira and Jamie Pistrin did what they do best to score their 20th and 17th goals for the season respectively.
In a man-of-the-match performance, Lazaris completed his hat-trick with yet another marauding run from deep to send the many travelling fans into pure joy.
After the game, the emotion displayed by all was palpable, a relief for all involved as it had been many weeks of grinding result after result with their Crinigan Road rivals continually on their tail.
On a landmark day for the club, coach Mark Cassar was elated.
“I am simply lost for words. It has been a tough year and we’ve had to fight tooth-and-nail but credit to the players, they’ve been simply outstanding,” he said.
Falcons President Tony Salvatore, overcome with emotion, said that “this is such a proud day for our club. To win both the senior mens and womens league title is testament to our great club and all involved. It’s just fantastic”.
With the win, it is without doubt that Falcons 2000 have asserted themselves as being the most dominant side of recent times, with four league title out of the last six rubber-stamping it’s dominance.
FORTUNA v SALE
FORTUNA knew that nothing less than three points would do, with one eye on their rivals, hoping that they would slip up to give them an unlikely first league title in 11 years.
It was not to be, but they dismantled the Swans in any case, which is testament to the side that they have become in recent times. Sale was under strength, but the 9-0 win wasn’t to be expected.
The win will give the Orangemen confidence heading into the Battle of Britain Cup where they face East Gippsland on Wednesday night.
They will be aiming to win the trophy and many would argue that they are one of the favourites to do so.
Last week Fortuna wrapped up the reserve league title in an unbeaten campaign while Olympians did the same in the 2nd division.
