Sale ends Fortuna Hoodoo

 Sale United has dealt a massive blow to Fortuna’s Championship title defence with a 2-1 home win that also ended an eighteen year hoodoo against the Orangemen. 

From the outset the Swans possessed the ball confidently, dominating the engine room forcing Fortuna into an unfamiliar role of chasing.

A neat build up stretched the Fortuna defence with the dynamic Tommy Nguyen in perfect position to beat his marker and net the first goal of the game 1-0. 

The game was played at a frantic pace with both sides creating chances. Sale’s Ray Allred and Dave Myall were proving hard to control whilst Josh Tanti and cousin Hayden kept the Orangemen in the game with their work rate.

In the second half Fortuna were on the attack and nearly scored within seconds of kick off but Sale ‘keeper Chris Richardson was equal to the challenge of the Fortuna strikers. 

Sale President and senior playing stalwart Romi Bitar took the Swans to a 2-0 lead with a confident finish. 

Fortuna weren’t about to lie down and they were rewarded in the 75th minute with a classy strike from Owen Kelly to set up a grand stand finish to the match 2-1. 

Fortuna pressed for the equaliser but Sale was resolute in defence and held on for a memorable victory.

NYU vs Olympians

Newborough Yallourn United has claimed its first point of the season with a 0-0 home draw with the luckless Traralgon Olympians.

The match was littered with poor finishing from both teams and has heaped more pressure on the Traralgon club who now sit second bottom on the ladder.

Genuine chances were scarce in the early going but as the game progressed Olympians started to look dangerous at set pieces while the home side went forward mainly on the counter-attack.

Olympians player Tony Pardo controlled the midfield well while the hosts managed to keep Olympians target man Frank Albanese in check for the most part.

In the second half both sides missed golden opportunities within minutes of each other.

NYU’s Justin Mathison laid on some silver service with a pin point cross that somehow wasn’t put home then soon after Olympians’ Michael Fava missed from two yards out with a wayward header.

The Combine almost had a late winner but Jayden Mathison’s spectacular over head kick went wide of the target as both sides shared the points 0-0.

Monash vs Moe

Monash escaped from their home game against fierce cross town rivals Moe United with a share of the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

The Red Devils were in front with just minutes on the clock after Jason Koppen, returning from a lay off, curled an edge of the box free-kick over the wall and in off the upright 1-0..

Missing top scorer Eric Sostak, the Wolves looked toothless in the opening exchanges as Moe controlled the game from the back.

The visitors built in confidence and began to also take control of the midfield with Mark McHallam providing plenty of supply for the forwards.

In the second half Monash was presented with an opportunity to pull level from the penalty spot after Nick Dastey handled Daryn Cummings’ cross.  Ashley Birrell made no mistake dispatching the ball into the bottom corner.

Soon after Moe regained the ascendancy when a McHallam corner was well met by Matthew Shearing at the front post as his header flew into the far corner of the net.

Monash pushed forward and with seconds remaining captain Wally Noppert went on a slaloming run into the box before being brought down by two opponents as he was about to shoot earning a penalty kick.

It was left to Birrell to step up against Moe stalwart custodian Peter Albanese, and it was the diminutive midfielder who again finished with aplomb to give the hosts a share of the points 2-2.

Falcons vs Traralgon City

In what was a game of two halves, the more experienced Traralgon City prevailed 5-2 over Falcons on Saturday night at Latrobe City Sports Stadium.

Traralgon got off to the perfect start with a Dustin Moos shot from outside the box eluding the Falcons ‘keeper. 

With several key players out of the senior line-up, Falcons continued to rely on youth and were well rewarded with a goal from Sam Amaira to level the scores.

Owen Newbury then finished with an inch perfect header to take the Falcons to a 2-1 lead at the break.

With barely a minute played in the second half, Amaira squandered a great opportunity which could have put the game beyond doubt.

This miss seemed to be the turning point as the young Falcons folded and City thumped home three in the space of twenty minutes with Moos claiming a brace and Sandy Leckey and Adam Batt also productive to lead 4-2.

With Falcons chasing the game City was ruthless scoring again through Mark Fairbrother to run out victors 5-2.

Tyers vs Churchill

Churchill has continued on its winning way with a 5-1 away win at Tyers.

The Rams midfield was on top with Nathan Lugton, Tim Dawson and Nathan Osborne controlling proceedings.

Tyers goal keeper Steve Ward saved a bag of goals but the relentless Churchill pressure saw strikers Luke Cheney and Jesse Kennedy both claim doubles after Dawson opened proceedings.

Tyers player Shayne Pavich scored a consolation goal in a rare foray forward for the Lightning.

The undefeated Rams now sit a game and six goals clear on top of the GSL ladder.

GSL Top Scorers after Round 4

Player                         Club                            Goals

Jesse Kennedy           Churchill United          5

Luke Cheney              Churchill United          4

Eric Sostak                 Monash                       4

Jake Budija                 Tyers Lightning           4

Josh Tanti                   Fortuna 60                   4

Lee Dastey                  Moe United                 3

Taylor Jackson           Churchill United          3

 

Round 5 Preview

Fortuna will be keen to get back on track when they face Monash on Saturday night who remain undefeated whilst top four aspirants Moe and Traralgon City face off on Sunday.

Giant killers Sale travel to Hazelwood South Reserve to take on ladder leader Churchill.  The Swans will need to be on their game if they are to repeat the dose with the Rams extra difficult to beat on their home patch.

NYU will look to build on its solid defensive form with a win over Falcons and nothing less than a win will be acceptable for the Olympians faithful when they host Tyers after a miserable start to the season.