SOCCER
LVSL
By LIAM DURKIN
THOSE who believe in the natural order of things would have accepted how the 2024 Latrobe Valley Soccer League season ended.
On the ladder, Falcons were the best team and won the league.
On their day, Fortuna had proven to be the best team and won the cup.
Moe United came third in both competitions, completing the trifecta to some extent.
The Lions took home a trophy for their efforts this season, winning the Battle of Britain Cup after defeating Moe 4-nil on Saturday night.
The cup is played via a series of knockout matches after the regular season and league champion is decided.
Despite not holding as much meaning as the league championship, the cup certainly carries prestige, as it is one of, if not the oldest cup on offer in Victorian soccer.
The Battle of Britain dates back to 1951.
Before last Saturday, Fortuna had lifted it six times, the last coming in 2011.
Barely 10 minutes into last Saturday night’s final, the Lions were just about ready to make it seven.
Fortuna had a dream start to the match, netting their first goal through Hayden Tanti early in the piece.
Few were to realise the performance Tanti was to have, as he went on to score another three goals in an absolutely dominant display.
In chilly conditions at Falcons Park, the Red Devil’s failed to find much ascendancy, and went into the halftime break 3-nil down.
While the scoreline might have given reason to think Fortuna had one hand already on the cup, those close to the Lions camp were not ready to jump to any conclusions.
As one prominent Fortuna member pointed out, the score was exactly the same as the in-season game between the two sides, which ended in a 3-all draw.
The Lions needed not to worry however, as Tanti’s fourth made it official, and stamped his name on the Man of the Match medal, if it wasn’t there already.
Moe United was eventually put out of their misery, bringing to end their chances of completing a hat-trick of Battle of Britain titles.
Fortuna coaches Mick McAuley and Jordan Campbell accepted the plaudits of victory, which included not only the historic cup, but a Football Victoria pennant and banner.
Fortuna’s Battle of Britain title years are now: 1984, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011 and 2024.
There was double-delight for the Orangemen, who also won the reserves cup (Shopwell Trophy), also against Moe.
THE reserves final truly had to be seen to be believed, after a back-and-forth affair ended with Fortuna winning 5-4.
To their staggering credit, Moe played with 10 men for most of the game, and were 2-1 up at halftime.
Fortuna then levelled the scores, and took a 5-3 lead into the first period of injury time, before the Red Devil’s again hit back.
MOE had better luck in 2nd Division, with its all-conquering side adding to its championship-winning season by taking out the Nan Bosma Cup, beating Traralgon City 2-1.
GREAT finals were the order of the day, as the women’s decider between Sale United and Fortuna saw the Swans come back from 2-nil down at halftime to win the Browne-Huizer Cup in a 3-2 result.
FALCONS 2000 did a power of work hosting the cup finals, and were to be commended for their efforts.
Falcons members and volunteers put in a solid 12 hour shift, making for an orderly final in conjunction with the league and Football Victoria.
