Rams seek redemption

The fiercest modern day rivalry in the Gippsland Soccer League takes centre stage on Saturday night when Churchill United hosts Fortuna at Hazelwood South Reserve.

After losing last years Gippsland Soccer League Championship to Fortuna in the closest finish in league history, Churchill will be desperate to win on another step on the road toward Championship redemption.

The GSL is played as a true home and away competition and the “Champion” team is decided by whoever finishes top of the ladder.  In 2011 Churchill and Fortuna finished equal on points with just four goals deciding the title in Fortuna’s favor.

When the two sides met in the 2011 league both matches ended in entertaining draws, 3-3 and 2-2, respectively.  The Rams gained some comfort by winning the Finals Series Premiership with an emphatic 4-1 victory in the grand final over Fortuna but were still stung by the loss of the Championship by such a slender margin.

This season Churchill has skipped five points clear of the Orangemen and amassed a substantial goal advantage, so a win in this fixture would put them firmly in the drivers’ seat to claim its fourth GSL Championship in six years.

“Since 2005 us and Fortuna have battled for supremacy of the GSL and played some enthralling matches that have drawn spectator neutrals and the soccer uninitiated alike along to watch and we’re expecting another big crowd on Saturday night”. Churchill President Stephen Breheny said

Fortuna will be placing its faith in some new faces with Rayvel Whiting, Joel Baldwin, George Fkaris and Dean Hamilton all joining in the off season.  Whilst Churchill’s team has remained relatively unchanged with Tim Dawson the notable inclusion along with Mitch Jackson who has stepped up after a stellar pre season from last years Reserves.

The match will be won in the midfield with Churchill’s combination of Nathan Osborne, Jackson, Nathan Lugton and Dawson in red hot form.  The Rams also have attacking options the envy of the league with Luke Cheney, Jesse Kennedy, Kwaku Dade, Taylor Jackson and Stephen Riess to choose from.

The Orangemen will be without top scorer and Captain Josh Tanti through suspension but despite his absence expect Fortuna to show its trade mark determination as it attempts to reel in the Rams with a win.  The senior match kicks off at the earlier time of 7pm with Youth at 5pm and Reserves 3pm.

Churchill vs Fortuna Results and Titles since 2005

Year	Match 1	Match 2	Champion	Finals Series	Battle of Britain Cup
2005	N/A	N/A	Fortuna	Churchill	Churchill
2006	4-2 Fortuna	1-0 Fortuna	Fortuna	Fortuna	Churchill
2007	5-0 Churchill	3-1 Churchill	Churchill	Moe	Churchill
2008	3-1 Fortuna	2-1 Churchill	Churchill	Not played	Olympians
2009	1-0 Churchill	1-0 Churchill	Churchill	Fortuna	Falcons
2010	1-0 Fortuna	3-1 Fortuna	Fortuna	Fortuna	Falcons
2011	3-3 draw	2-2 draw	Fortuna	Churchill	Fortuna

Falcons vs Sale

Also on Saturday night Falcons take on the surprise packet of the season Sale United at Latrobe City Sports Stadium.

The Swans sit in third place and have already accumulated more points this campaign than last with a top two finish a distinct possibility. Sale target man Jon Piefke is now back to full fitness and ready to team up with young utility Tommy Nguyen up front.

The Falcons have had a mixed start to the season and their seventh position on the ladder can be attributed to a string of draws which were all winnable.

Falcons leaky defence is its Achilles heel and Coach Mauro de Luca will be eager to stop the rot, however Sale appear to hold the advantage offensively and should take the points in this one.

Olympians vs Moe

After finally breaking through for a win against neighbours City the Traralgon Olympians will be hoping to replicate that performance with a win against Moe in another Saturday night fixture.

The Olympians will have their work cut out for them as the Red Devils enter the match with a strong form line having drawn with Fortuna and having pushed Churchill to the brink in its last two outings.

Adrian Savage and Jason Koppen were out injured against the Rams and if they come back into the side to compliment Marc McHallam and Lee Dastey then Moe will be favored.

The Olympians will look to its young trio of Michael Fava, Aaron Daniels and Kenny Higgins to deliver and will need experienced campaigners Tony Pardo and Clayton Bell to again step up in what will be a very interesting tussle.

NYU vs Traralgon City

Sunday’s match between Newborough-Yallourn and Traralgon City at Burrage Reserve is a line in the sand encounter for the Roosters who must arrest a three match losing streak.

NYU are a team that cannot be taken for granted despite its bottom placing and with former players Adam and Andrew Batt now lining up for the Roosters the Combine will be extra keen to cause an upset.

City needs the experienced Batt brothers to reignite its season by leading talented youngsters Mark Fairbrother, John Kuol and Dustin Moos back to their early season form.

City should prevail however NYU are more than capable of claiming a point or three.

Tyers vs Monash

Monash are equal on points with Traralgon City and are outside the top four by just three goals so they will be keen to post a winning score at Tyers on Sunday.

Tyers Recreation Reserve is a clag pot at this time of the year and the Generals will find going very tough against the Lightning with both sides playing a similar style of counter attacking soccer.

At one end Monash boast Eric Sostak who has kicked seven goals this year whilst Tyers have a proven goal kicker of their own with Jake Budija on six.

Monash however hold the edge defensively headed up by Trent Felici and ‘keeper Russell Musgrove and should be too good.