LAURIE WILLIAMS
SOCCER
LVSL
By LAURIE WILLIAMS
ROUND 18 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League went largely as expected, but the biggest shock was in the match of the round on Saturday night as Fortuna dispatched Moe with disdain.
Further wins to Monash, Sale and Newborough/Yallourn rounded out the weekends action.
Fortuna vs Moe United
FORTUNA, at their ‘home away from home’ on Saturday night faced off against Moe in a genuine league title championship six pointer, and it was the Orangemen who were emphatic in their performance.
With this fixture arguably being the biggest match of the year, many were expecting a tight tussle given top spot was at stake.
However, much like season 2023 in general, a surprise result would ensue as Fortuna ran riot against an unusually hapless Moe side who looked a shadow of the team that beat league leaders Falcons 2000 a fortnight ago.
The home side took the lead within the first two minutes with a further goal at the 30th minute mark making it 2-0 at the break but Fortuna were unlucky to not be further ahead at the half time break.
Their wonderful form continued in the second half as they piled on five more goals to leave Moe wondering where it all went wrong on the night.
The win for Fortuna sees them jump to the top of the ladder and the equation for them now is rather simple; win their last three games and the league title is theirs.
For Moe, they now depend on other results to go their way for them to be lifting the ultimate prize in Gippsland football.
Olympians vs Sale
COMING off a surprise 1-1 draw against Moe the week before, Sale was expecting a comfortable day at the office on the road to Olympians.
However, the Swans were given an almighty scare against the Traralgon side.
Sale took an early three-goal lead, which many thought was job done, however Olympians, unlike last weekend, continued to fight and miraculously brought the contest back to 3-3 with their third in the 76th minute.
Sale would retake the lead two minutes later, but the home side equalised again to make it 4-all and seemingly destined to grab an unlikely point.
Unfortunately, their hearts were broken in stoppage time as Sale performed the great escape to score the match winner.
Tyers vs Newborough/Yallourn
AFTER last weeks admirable yet fruitless display against the high-flying Fortuna, Newborough/Yallourn were after an easy kill, and they got what they were hoping for with an eight goal victory over bottom side Tyers Lightning.
Mark Fairbrother helped himself to a hat-trick, while Ryan McCluskey scored a brace.
Further goals went to Shayne Pavich, John Cook and Ash Birrell.
Despite the win, the Combine still find themselves in sixth spot, with their focus firmly set on maintaining form and fitness leading into the Battle of Britain Cup finals in September.
Churchill vs Monash
AFTER breaking their duck for the season last weekend, Churchill was quickly brought back down to Earth with a heavy loss to Monash at their makeshift home of Morwell Football-Netball Club.
Monash opened proceedings within the first minute, but Churchill equalised in the 25th minute.
It would be the last time the score was close, with Monash piling on four goals in seven minutes while Churchill scored their second before the main change.
Monash added a further three goals in the second half to maintain their excellent campaign.
Goal scorers for the Wolves were a hat-trick to Jared Baldacchino, Ethan Lawrence (two), Mark Krznaric (two) and Adam Semple.
Churchill’s scorers were Ben Wilson and Mark Bianconi.
PEGASUS and Falcons had the bye.
ROUND 19 PREVIEW
WITH only four rounds to play in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, the league title championship is still up for grabs.
Much like last year, it’s a race between Fortuna, Falcons and Moe.
FALCONS 2000 (2nd) vs MORWELL PEGASUS (5th) – 6pm Saturday
MATCH of the round this weekend sees a Morwell derby between two sides with vastly contrasting circumstances at this stage of the season.
For Falcons, whilst being usurped from top spot after having the bye will know that if they win their last three games, they do what many clubs have failed to do in the past; win back-to-back league titles.
The Birds will be challenged by a Pegasus side that, although out of the title race, will be looking to upset the home side in their quest for success.
Last time around was an enthralling 2-all draw, and a close game again beckons for the large crowd expected to attend on Saturday night.
MOE UNITED (3rd) vs TYERS LIGHTNING (10th) – 7pm Saturday
THE second of our night matches see Tyers travel to Moe where nothing less than three points will be expected from the home side.
The Red Devils will be breathing fire after being humbled by Fortuna last weekend, so Tyers must be on their best behaviour defensively to avoid a heavy defeat.
NEWBOROUGH/YALLOURN (6th) vs MONASH WOLVES (5th) – 3pm Sunday
THE surprise packets of the season will look to continue their rich vein of form, as they travel a couple of hundred metres to Burrage Reserve to take on old rivals Newborough/Yallourn.
The Wolves new and improved style of soccer has been a wonder to watch this season, but it will be put to the test against a side that still poses many threats.
TRARALGON OLYMPIANS (8th) vs FORTUNA 60 (1st) – 3pm Sunday
LEAGUE leaders Fortuna travel to Traralgon on Sunday to solidify top spot and will be hopeful of adding even more pressure to those around them in their quest for their first league title since 2011.
Olympians nearly pulled off one of the shocks of the season as they succumbed at the final hurdle against Sale last weekend, and they will see this fixture as yet another opportunity to prove the doubters wrong.
2023 LEAGUE TITLE RUN-IN
WITH four rounds to play, the fight for the top could go right to the wire between Fortuna and Falcons and possibly Moe could throw their hat into the ring.
What an exciting end to a season that has had plenty of ups and downs and no matter who wins, they will be worthy champions.
FORTUNA 36 points – play Olympians (8th), bye, Pegasus (5th), Falcons (2nd).
FALCONS: 34 points – play Pegasus (5th), bye, Sale (7th), Fortuna (1st).
MOE: 29 points – play Tyers (10th), Monash (4th), Churchill (9th), New/Yall (6th).
