Fortuna’s title defence on track

Reigning GSL Champions Fortuna staged a stirring fight back to get their title defence off to a great start when they over come Traralgon Olympians 2-1 on Saturday night.

 Olympians were boasting new signings Frank Albanese and Kenny Higgins, but were without suspended play makers Clayton Bell and Tony Pardo.  Fortuna surprised all pundits with the return of Cameron Dunne and Andres Nilo to the Lion’s Den after both players had previously confirmed their departures from the club.

The match started at a feverish pace with play switching from end to end and genuine chances for both sides in the opening twenty minutes going begging.

Olympians found the net soon after when Michael Fava’s long range effort deflected off the upright to fall into the path of Terry Panayiotou who deftly finished from close range.
The remainder of the first half was dominated by Olympians, with Fortuna having trouble getting out of their own half but the Blues only had a 1-0 lead to show despite their dominance. 

Fortuna introduced Matt Coward at half time in a bid to counter Olympians tall defenders whilst Albanese continued to cause the Orangemen trouble at the other end.

The changes continued for Fortuna as they called on Cameron Dunne to push for an equaliser.  Within a minute of his introduction Dunne made an impact striking from long range forcing Olympians keeper Brett Reid to parry a save into the path of the fast finishing Nilo pulling the score level 1-1.

Fortuna lifted after the goal, pushing back the Olympians defensive unit.  With twelve minutes to play Fortuna’s Hayden Tanti made a solo run and shot from the wing to beat a despairing Reid and deliver the Orangemen the knock out blow 2-1.

Red Devils give Combine a reality check

Moe United dished out a harsh reality check to hosts Newborough-Yallourn in their round one GSL clash at Burrage Reserve. The fiery encounter was the first for new Moe coach Lee Dastey in the clubs 60th season.

The hosts started brightly on a warm afternoon but were soon chasing the game as Moe’s Matt Shearing narrowly avoided the offside trap to open the scoring for the visitors with their first real foray forward in the match.

Both sides had chances to add to the scoring however couldn’t find the back of the net as the ledger remained 1-0 in Moe’s favour going into the halftime break.

Much like the first half Newborough Yallourn started the second stanza in positive fashion but was having a hard time getting past Moe’s sweeper Lee Dastey.

A long defensive clearance soon turned into a swift counter attack for Moe with Shearing earning his side a penalty kick following a shoulder to shoulder challenge with Combine captain John Cook. Dastey stepped up and dispatched the spot kick to double his side’s advantage 2-0.

The warm weather was really taking its toll by this stage with both sides lacking a sharp edge as passes went astray and tackles became sloppy.

Midway through the half Moe’s Marc McHallam delivered an inch perfect cross to the back post where Dastey ghosted in unmarked to nod home from two yards, doubling his tally and rounding out a solid Moe win 3-0.

Ruthless Rams trounce Falcons

A seasoned Churchill side easily disposed of a youthful Falcons outfit 6-1 on Saturday night.

It took only two minutes for Churchill to go ahead when Dean Pyle pounced on a mistimed Falcons clearance.
From there it was one way traffic as Taylor Jackson in his first game back from injury scored and Jesse Kennedy followed up soon after as the Rams skipped to a 3-0 lead.

When in form striker Kwaku Dade made it 4-0 the Rams looked unstoppable, however Falcons were able to snatch a goal before the break through Julian Baccega after Churchill keeper Jason Sands was wrong footed.  

Falcons withstood a barrage of attacks in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half as the Rams ruthlessly sought more goals.

After weathering the storm two Falcons defensive lapses allowed a clinical Churchill to bury a further two goals with Dade and Jackson both completing a brace to run out big winners 6-1.

Monash dominate Sale

Monash claimed the points at home to Sale with a comfortable 3-1 win.

The Wolves opened the scoring early with keeper Mark Heatherington punting the ball up field to Eric Sostak who out ran his opponent and slotted the ball under Sale keeper Chris Richardson.

The home side was dominant in the midfield with Sale's star youngsters Tommy Nguyen and Ashley Ross starved of possession.

The lead was doubled midway through the half with pocket dynamo Ash Birrell going on a mazy run beating no less than five opponents before squaring the ball to Sostak who slotted home from ten yards.

The game ebbed and flowed for the remainder of the half with both sides creating chances but were unable to convert in the attacking third.

Monash came out strong in the second half and Sostak was denied his hat-trick with Richardson tipping his powerful header onto the crossbar. The woodwork was there again soon after to deny veteran as he out jumped the defence but saw his header smack off the upright.

The third goal eventually came with young debutant Tom Bramstedt measuring a pin-point cross to Daniel Abela who saw his initial header well saved before powering in the follow up into the net. 

Sale gained a consolation goal late into injury time via an own goal after some good work from Nguyen put the Monash defence under pressure and the ball was headed into the net.
 
City trounce Tyers

Traralgon City has handed Tyers Lightning a soccer lesson trouncing them 6-0 at home on Sunday.

The match kicked off at a frantic pace and it was city who took the lead after thirteen minutes when recruit Adam Batt scored from just inside the box.

City was forced to make a substitution shortly after when young Moy Aliyu was injured and replaced by Johnny Koul.

Koul soon made an impact to put the Roosters up 2-0 with a well crafted goal.

Traralgon continued to pepper the goals for the rest of the half going to the break 4-0 after goals from Andrew Batt and his brother Adam took his tally to two.

The goals continued in the second half with Koul scoring his second after a bad bounce left the Tyers keeper with no chance.

Adam Batt finished the scoring and completed his hat trick after a well placed corner from his brother Andrew found him waiting unmarked at the front post to give City a comfortable 6-0 win.