JOHN CARDONA and LAURIE WILLIAMS
SOCCER
LVSL
By JOHN CARDONA and LAURIE WILLIAMS
– JOHN CARDONA
MOE United, on a three-game winning streak, travelled to Tyers on Sunday for Round 7 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.
After a scrappy first half, the Red Devils came home with an 8-0 victory.
Moe coach Kevin O’Farrell had some major headaches selections after Connor O’Hanlon, Riley Winkleman and Joe Stewart were all ruled out due to injury. Also missing were Lachlan McKenzie and captain Nick Fogarty.
It only took two minutes for Moe to score, with a pass from Brendan Ruddell finding Matt Shearing, who precisely hit up Ben Schembri in his first senior game in 15 years.
Moe had another chance some time later, when a Noah Kane free kick was headed narrowly over the bar by Oscar Sceney.
Kane’s corner kick gave Moe United a 2-0 lead just before the break, when O’Farrell headed home from close range.
The second half opened with Kane crossing to Shearing, who kicked truly after four minutes.
After 55 minutes, another Moe United attack saw Tyers handball and resultant spot-kick converted easily by Shearing to make the score 4-0.
Shortly after, Moe went up 5-0 from a spot-kick after Tanner Pyle was brought down and Sceney stepped up, and coolly converted his opportunity.
At 65 minutes, Kane’s run up the right saw his cross slotted home by Harley Robinson to make it 6-0. The Red Devils’ assault on the Tyers goal continued when Sceney found Pyle unmarked and he hammered home Moe’s seventh goal.
Moe veteran keeper Peter Albanese was called on to make a save from a counterattack by Tyers.
Campbell Dastey finished off an improved second half when he converted a cross from Ruddell.
Kane was best for Moe United, followed by Sceney, Shearing and Luke Bathgate.
Moe also won the reserves 11-0. Robinson kicked four before coming up to the seniors, while Kyle Jennings nabbed jus as many.
– LAURIE WILLIAMS
Morwell Pegasus v Falcons 2000 (2-2)
ON a glorious Sunday afternoon, spectators were treated to a fantastic game between two Morwell sides vying for supremacy in the league title race.
Pegasus, who hadn’t dropped a point thus far, were slight favourites against a Falcons side that had yet to hit top gear in Season 2023.
A frenetic first 15 minutes opened proceedings, with Falcons all over their opponents and in retrospect, should’ve been up 3-nil with captain Toby Capp rattling the crossbar from outside the box and striker Michael Fava missing a chance from inside the box.
However, they would get their due reward as Fava made amends with a wonderful angled finish from 15 yards out. In a game of momentum swings, Pegasus came to life at the 25-minute mark and suddenly ramped-up the pressure and sure enough, they were rewarded with an equaliser as Kuka Mahmoud scored from a free kick outside the box.
Falcons were holding on for dear life towards the end of the half but it seemed their defensive resolve has reappeared, as they stood strong to head into the break all-square.
The second half was much of the same as the Flying Horsemen pushed for the lead, and they duly delivered for their home supporters as Germaine Otieno expertly crossed for Levi Mohammud to convert.
The home side seemingly thought they had the three points wrapped up but Falcons are renowned for their never-say-die attitude; coupled with their superior fitness levels, they started to gain the ascendency and sure enough, they equalised through a Jamie Pistrin penalty conversion.
Falcons continued to push for a winner in the last 10 minutes, and Pistrin almost delivered for his side as a vicious shot from just inside the box was saved by Pegasus ‘keeper Santo Simon.
In a physical encounter, both sides were rightfully exhausted come the final whistle. While a draw was a fair result, one thing was for certain: both sides will be challenging for silverware come the end of the year.
Fortuna 60 vs Traralgon Olympians (7-1)
FORTUNA maintained their lead at the top of the table (albeit Moe have a game in-hand) with an emphatic 7-1 drubbing of the pointless Olympians at Crinigan South Reserve.
After forfeiting their reserves the day before due to a lack of numbers, Olympians bolstered senior numbers seemed to have gained them the advantage as they took the lead early on.
However Fortuna, after resting a number of players, soon hit their straps with Dj Matar coming off the bench to equalise before halftime.
The second half saw the Orangemen put their opponents to the sword as they slammed home six more goals, and with the victory they have sent a message to the rest of the competition that they are a force to be reckoned with in Season 2023.
For Olympians, they continue to fight each week; but with no reward, they must ensure they get on the board shortly to provide encouragement to their young brigade of players.
Monash Wolves vs Newborough/Yallourn United (1-5)
MUCH like the previous game, Monash took a lead into halftime against rival Newborough/Yallourn, but the Combine displayed their quality in the second half to score five past a Monash side who have promised a lot this season without much to show for it, which must be very frustrating for players and fans alike.
In a derby game between two sides who are separated by a few hundred metres, victory is all the more sweeter, and Newborough/Yallourn live to fight another day in the league title race.
Round 9 Preview (all games Sunday 3pm)
Moe United vs Monash
WITH no standout games between those at the top of the table, match of the day focuses on the postcode derby between Moe and Monash.
Previous games in this fixture have provided upset results from time to time, and Monash have a knack of lifting so it will not be a surprise if they turn it on this weekend against their opponents.
Sale United vs Morwell Pegasus
SALE has improved this season, and with a record of four wins and three losses they will be looking to maintain their ladder position with an upset win at home against the high-flying Pegasus.
After a brutal encounter last week, Pegasus will need to ensure they freshen up for their encounter against a Sale side that traditionally plays much better at home than away.
Traralgon Olympians vs Tyers Lightning
A MASSIVE chance to gain their first points of the season presents itself to Olympians on Sunday against Tyers.
The Traralgon side have shown some promise this year in fits and starts, but they must bring that more often, and there’s no better time than the present.
Tyers, equally, will see this as an opportunity to gain their second win of the season to further prove that they belong in the senior men’s competition.
Newborough/Yallourn vs Churchill United
AFTER a week off to freshen their legs, Churchill head up the highway to challenge a Newborough/Yallourn side that are full of confidence after their win last round.
The Rams, pointless to start the campaign, must concentrate on putting in a shift, and if they are able to do that, then it may give them a small window of opportunity to get a result against their more fancied opponents.
