Laurie Williams
FOLLOWING an opening round loss at home, Sale United redeemed itself with a 2-0 victory over Churchill United in round two of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.
The LVSL continued to throw up shock results in round two, with Newborough-Yallourn United scraping in 3-2 over Falcons after leading 3-0 at one stage, Traralgon City had its revenge on Olympians, Monash went to the top of the table with a 4-1 stunner over East Gippsland United, and Fortuna and Pegasus fought out a gritty 1-1 draw.
IT had been 546 days since Churchill played its previous match, and it was a day the Rams won’t forget in a hurry, going down to Sale in all three matches on Sunday.
Sale got the jump on Churchill early, with Murray Carella breaking the deadlock after 18 minutes after a free taken by Jake Richardson.
The Swans were hitting a high, but Churchill rallied although couldn’t find the gaps.
Both teams had chances in a torrid second half, but Sale who got the edge at 80 minutes when Cooper Coleman slotted home the visitor’s second goal after an assist from Murray Carella.
TRARALGON City took the points over Olympians, 3-0, ending a run of six consecutive losses to their neighbour.
Goals to DJ Matar and Jake Budija put the Roosters up 2-0 by half-time.
The Roosters increased the pressure in the second half, but Olympians tightened up to stop its opponents from dictating play, only to go down to 10 players approaching the hour mark as it was beginning to play attacking football.
Tommy Nguyen put the icing on the cake for the Roosters with a goal with 10 minutes to play.
MONASH got a big shock when Matthew Desio scored for East Gippsland five minutes in, but the Wolves didn’t panic and fired back, scoring in the 15th and 34th minutes to go into the break 2-0 up.
Monash got its act together in the second half, with goals from Braden Paulett and Will Semple putting the result beyond doubt. The Wolves could have won by a greater margin except for the excellent work from East Gippsland gloveman Conner McAuliffe.
MORWELL rivals Pegasus and Fortuna couldn’t be separated at full-time.
Pegasus had much of the early play, with pacey players Kafayo Bienfait and Samuel Jacob testing the Lions with skilful use of the ball. Alradi Ali was good for Pegasus early, but he was replaced at half-time after receiving a knock.
Early shots by Pegasus were wide.
The Horsemen finally hit the lead at 20 minutes after being awarded a free kick. As the Fortuna players remonstrated with the referee, Kaliment Ramadan casually kicked the ball into an empty goal.
Fortuna played better in the second half, restricting Pegasus’ avenue to goal. Tight defending by Shayne Cassar and Jordan Campbell resulted in many Pegasus rallies being turned back.
Hayden Tanti latched onto a misguided header by a Pegasus defender and slammed home the equaliser 16 minutes into the half.
With both teams pressing to take the lead, Pegasus missed a couple of good chances. Fortuna also lodged some bombs, but couldn’t get any clear shots at the net.
Pegasus had chances in the final minutes, with three corner kicks, but Fortuna keeper Leon Risdon was able to clear them.
SATURDAY night’s match between Falcons and Newborough-Yallourn was a tense battle.
The visiting Combine scored the first three goals through Mark Fairbrother (two) and Ash Birrell.
With Jamie Pistrin in good touch, Falcons clawed back a goal to make it a real fight for the points.
NYU was down a man when Adam Semple was red carded at 82 minutes, which saw Pistrin score his second goal.
The final seven minutes were hectic, but NYU hung on to take the match 3-2.
MOE United had the bye.
SALE United will host Moe on Saturday night from 7pm in round three of the LVSL senior competition.
Sale has previously found it difficult against Moe, but home ground advantage may tip the scales in the Swans’ favour.
The Swans will play Monash in the first round of the Battle of Britain Cup on Wednesday night in Newborough.
In league action on Sunday, Pegasus will host Falcons in another Morwell derby, Newborough-Yallourn will host Churchill, Monash will head to Morwell to take on ladder leader Fortuna, and East Gippsland will welcome Traralgon City to Bairnsdale. Olympians will have the bye.
SALE United claimed a club record 20-0 thumping of Churchill United in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League women’s competition on Sunday.
Lemoni Japhary led the way, bagging six goals for the Swans.
The Swans are in second position on the ladder, only trailing top side Newborough-Yallourn United on goal difference.
NYU had a hard fought 3-0 win over Falcons, Monash got the points over East Gippsland, winning 1-0, while Fortuna scored big against Olympians-Tyers, winning 14-0.
