SOCCER
LVSL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT, LIAM DURKIN and JOE AUCIELLO
ONLY three rounds remain in the 2024 Latrobe Valley Soccer League season, with three sides reaching for the crown before time runs out.
Falcons 8 def Sale 0
WITH three rounds to go in what is shaping up to be another cliffhanger finish to the Latrobe Valley Soccer League league title race, LVSL leaders Falcons 2000 hosted eighth placed Sale United on Saturday night in Morwell.
The number of eight ended up being somewhat fitting, as Falcons inflicted Sale with an 8-nil defeat.
After a 19-goal drubbing of Tyers a fortnight ago, Sale came into the contest brimming with confidence, while the home side was looking to make it 10 wins on the bounce.
Right from the first whistle, Falcons were in an unforgiving mood, as their forward triumvirate of Kuku Mahmoud, Chocho Jacob and Moni Eliaser tore the Swans to shreds.
Mahmoud opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from just inside the area within the first five minutes, and from that point on it was all one-way traffic as all three strikers continually terrorised the Sale defence into submission.
It was a particularly monumental night for Jacob, as he helped himself to a hat-trick and two assists.
The 19-year-old has been a revelation since joining the club, and his recent inclusion into the senior side has been a result of his continual hard work off the ball as well as on it.
While the youthful front three accounted for seven of the eight goals on the night, veteran Nick D’Alessandro continued his renaissance with a goal in the second half to make it six games straight on the scorers list. His experience in the middle of the park has helped foster the growth of the youth around him, which has proven to be a potent mix over the last few weeks.
The victory leaves Falcons requiring seven points from the last three games to lift the league championship title come the first week of August.
Best on ground for the Birds was arguably Jacob, with the usual suspects of Mahmoud and Eliaser along with wing backs Kevin Carcellar and Josh Patterson all performing admirably.
Newborough/Yallourn 3 drew with Monash 3
CROSSTOWN rivals Newborough/Yallourn and Monash drew at the weekend in Round 15 action, 3-all at Burrage Reserve.
Halftime arrived and Newborough/Yalllourn had already put through three goals to Monash’s two, but the latter rallied for the only score of the second half so both sides went home with a point.
Monash’s goal scorers were Ryan Davis, Caleb Semple and Brian Moloney, while Ryan McCluskey had two goals and Dylan Fairbrother booted one for the Combine.
Both sides had players taken from the field with red cards and a handful of yellows.
Monash could have found themselves a step closer to fourth position, but stagnated at a win-loss-draw record of 6-5-4, while Newborough/Yallourn are a game behind with five wins.
Moe 8 def Olympians 2
MOE United blew away Traralgon Olympians, 8-2 at Olympic Park on Saturday night.
Despite being a third versus fourth matchup, Moe United led 5-1 at halftime to keep the result certain.
Two players had hat-tricks in Luke Bathgate and Riley Winkelman, that was also supported by goals from Bayden Heusmann and Connor O’Hanlon.
Moe United remain in third position, and will have a chance to take another step closer to second-placed Fortuna when they face Monash.
Churchill 1 def by Fortuna 8
SPEAKING of, it was a similar result for Fortuna, in an 8-1 thrashing of Churchill United.
The sixth-placed Rams withstood some of the early penetration from the visitors, but Fortuna still found the back of the net twice before the 45-minute mark.
There was then seven goals scored in the last half, six of which came from Fortuna to remain a game back of Falcons for top of the table, although Fortuna does have a 22-goal difference on Falcons.
Tyers 0 def by East Gippsland 2
EAST GIPPSLAND United picked up their third win of the season in a 2-nil finish against Tyers.
Nothing broke the way of either side through the first half, ending nil-all, before visiting East Gippsland managed two goals to conclude from Jaydon Steele and Oscar Bury.
Tyers are winless from 15 games while East Gippsland are 3-1-11 for the year second from the bottom.
STATE OF PLAY
Fortuna will be favoured to win all their remaining games. If they do so, it will take their points to 46, which could see them win the league.
Falcons however has a game in hand, and put simply, needs seven points to guarantee the league. Two wins and a draw is all they need.
Falcons have a tough fortnight ahead, taking on top four sides Olympians and Moe. They will need to win at least one of them to stave off Fortuna.
Moe remain mathematically alive, but are relying on results to fall their way. If the Red Devils win their last three games, they will finish the season on 43 points. In order to win the league, Moe will need Fortuna to draw or lose two of their last three, and Falcons to lose their last three.
The game between Falcons and Moe next week looks to all but determine the 2024 champion.
Keep in mind however Fortuna’s huge goal difference. Fortuna can afford Falcons to win two and lose one of their last three provided they themselves win all three.
Reserves
IN the reserves, Moe United won 11-nil with four goals from Joe Stewart and Harley Robinson, and Bodie Wendt with two goals and one from Campbell Dastey.
Other results included a 2-all draw between Tyers and East Gippsland, 2-nil Fortuna win over the Rams, and 3-2 win for Monash over the Combine.
Women’s
THE Women’s League included an 8-nil win for Moe United with a hat-trick from Miley Cooper, two goals from Georgia Wyntjes and Summer Cooper, and Tylah Armistead finding the back of the net.
Newborough/Yallourn defeated Monash 3-nil off the back of two goals from Amira Idmouh and one goal from Shayla Vella.
Other results included a nil-all finish between Tyers and Traralgon City, and a 3-nil win for Fortuna.
Defending champions Sale beat Falcons 5-nil to take what is looking to be an unasailable lead at the top.
The Swannettes are six points clear on top of the ladder from Falcons.
The LVSL is still calling on prospective referees to help as the season gets to the business end, and for future seasons.
Those interested are encourgaed to visit: footballvictoria.com.au/become-a-ref
