Fortuna has blown the league title race wide upon with a gutsy 2-1 victory over Churchill United to reel the Rams back to a two point buffer at the top of the table.

In a scrappy match an undermanned Fortuna was too good for Churchill taking its opportunities to score clinically and defending to a man to deny the Rams.

The opening was cagey until five minutes before the break when Fortuna opened the scoring after Joel Baldwin put a great ball on goal for Joel Pirotta to coolly finish.

A minute before the break it was 2-0 when Fortuna turned defence into attack for Baldwin to release Hayden Tanti who weaved past two Churchill defenders to score past the advancing ‘keeper Jason Sands.

The second half saw Churchill pick up the pace but was unable to ignite its fluent attacking play that had characterised its season to date.

Fortuna soaked up the pressure and when Tanti succumbed to a ham string injury former AFL player Troy Makepeace made his senior GSL debut as his substitute.

Churchill introduced Taylor Jackson who made an immediate impact forcing a great save from Fortuna ‘keeper Dean Hamilton with his thirty yard attempt just tipped around the post.

Sensing a comeback returning Rams striker Kwaku Dade took the field to increase the pressure another notch and with a minute of regular time Churchill reduced the deficit when coach Luke Cheney pounced on a loose ball to make it 2-1.

Churchill almost claimed a face saving draw when Dade shot from just inside the 18 yard box and clipped the top of the cross bar.

Time ran out for Churchill as Fortuna regained control of its season’s destiny.  

Falcons vs Sale United

Falcons has halted Sale’s meteoric rise with a 2-1 home win on Saturday night.

Both sides had their chances and with the first half nearing completion Falcons broke the stalemate when Sam Amaira converted a penalty after Nick D’Allesandro was brought down in the penalty area to lead 1-0 at the break.

The aerial presence of Sale’s Jon Piefke was the main danger for the Falcons and with Sale knocking long balls deep into the box the Falcons defenders had to be very alert.

Romi Bitar had the first chance of the second half for Sale but his looping header could only connect with the far post with the rebound being cleared.

It didn’t take long for Sale to get the equalizer through Piefke after he was first to react to a loose ball in the box and volleyed home a superb finish 1-1. 

Both sides pushed for the win but it was Falcons who prevailed when Amaira finished a D’Allesandro cross with a great back post header 2-1 with eight minutes to spare in the match.

Tyers vs Monash

Tyers produced a fifteen minute blitz to come from two goals down to upset Monash 4-3.

Against the run of play Monash were awarded a penalty fifteen minutes in after Cummings was barged over in the box, Birrell stepping up to give Monash the lead 1-0.

The Lightning took a stranglehold of the game, with Mark and Shayne Pavich finding plenty of time on the ball only for some desperate defending to keep the Wolves in the ascendency and at the break Monash was fortunate 1-0 leaders.

Remarkably the visitors doubled the lead early in the second half, with Cummings powering home a Birrell corner 2-0.

This seemed to spur the home side on and they were awarded a penalty after Shayne Pavich was brought down, leading scorer Jake Budija powering home the resultant spot kick to reduce the arrears to 2-1.

Almost from the kick off Monash turned the ball over and Shayne Pavich skipped past three opponents before cutting the ball back to Budija to smash home the equalizer.

The wind was well and truly out of Monash's sails as the home side continually found openings and they eventually grabbed the lead with Josh Membrey beating the offside trap to slot home and lead 3-2.

Soon after Tyers extended their lead after Monash gave away a free kick in a dangerous position, Shayne Pavich floated it in and Budija climbed highest to seal his hat-trick and take his season tally to nine.

Monash grabbed a consolation the last kick of the game with substitute Sostak tapping in after Cummings had chipped the keeper for a final score 4-3 to the Lightning.

Moe United Vs Traralgon Olympians

Moe broke through for only its second win of the season with a 3-1 triumph over Traralgon Olympians.

The match was switched from Traralgon on Saturday night to Moe on Sunday afternoon after Harold Preston Reserve was deemed unplayable after the recent flood.

Moe opened their account early in the first half through a brilliant Lee Dastey free kick from thirty yards which beat Olympians ‘keeper Ben Johnstone all ends up.

Olympians then found their feet and began to play more attacking soccer through the run of Terry Panayiotou and Aaron Daniels on their wings as both sides continued to push forward.

The Olympians came up with the goods when Daniels clinically finished from outside the box and left veteran Red Devils keeper Peter Albanese with no chance entering the break at 1-1. 

The second half continued with both sides pushing forward but without luck for the whole half.

Moe gained the ascendency in the last fifteen minutes but didn't look like scoring until Matt Shearing spotted Johnstone off his line and opened his account for the season with a cracking goal.

Only minutes later Moe added another goal through Shearing again who beat a couple of men on the top of the box and placed the ball past Johnstone to claim a brace and to hand the Red Devils a 3-1 victory.

NYU vs Traralgon City

Traralgon City came back from a one goal deficit to defeat Newborough Yallourn United 2-1 to arrest a three match losing streak.

The early part of the match was dominated by NYU with crisp passing and heavy pressure on the speedy City team before a well earned goal to the Combine midway through the half when Shawn Lawrence ghosted in at the back post to finish off a solid build up down the right flank.

The match completely changed after half time when former NYU player Adam Batt drew his new side level 1-1 after debutant fifteen year old Connor Vanderstaay set him up.

City claimed the win 2-1 when Dustin Moos finished off a quick counter attack.

Round 10 Preview

After defeating the ladder leaders Churchill last round Fortuna (2^nd) will be on its toes on Saturday night when they play bogey side Olympians (9^th) away.

In recent years the Olympians have upset the high flying Fortuna and with a capable line up Anthony Collin’s team will aim to repeat the dose.

Also on Saturday night Falcons (6^th) host Churchill (1^st) who will be determined to put up a better showing and get back in the winners circle.

On Sunday Monash (5^th) will welcome back injured trio Wally Noppert, Coen Slaughter and Matt Stansbury when it makes the trek to Sale (4^th).

Moe (7^th) will be hoping to build on it recent form when it hosts NYU (10^th) in a derby and Traralgon City (3^rd) will be weary of the very capable Tyers (8^th) especially at home.