Moe United has made it three wins on the trot to climb to fourth on the Gippsland Soccer League ladder with a 6-1 thumping of Tyers on Sunday.

After losing 5-3 to Tyers the last time they met Red Devils coach Lee Dastey was wary of a repeat performance from in form Lightning striker Jake Budija who scored a hat trick in that match and was fresh off another in his most recent outing versus Monash.

But Dastey need not have worried with Adrian Savage starring for Moe kicking five of his side’s six goals in a day of individual dominance rarely seen on a soccer field.

Savage was joined on the goal kickers list by Matthew Shearing who has scored in each of the Red Devil’s recent string of victories to completely outclass the inconsistent Tyers.

 Churchill United vs Traralgon Olympians

The most exciting match of the round was between first placed Churchill and the under performing ninth placed Olympians, with the Rams eventually prevailing 2-1, with the Blues just failing to hold on.

Churchill completely dominated attacking play and in the first half had three goals disallowed for offside.

Olympians punished the Rams with a rare counter attack resulting in a classy goal from Clayton Bell who turned and volleyed a sweet shot from outside the box to lead 1-0 just prior to the break.

In the second half the Rams were relentless in their efforts to equalise with Luke Cheney and Nathan Lugton both striking the goal frame.  Churchill also had another two goals disallowed in a display of domination that went without reward.

Olympians goal keeper Ben Johnstone was in outstanding form making several telling saves to keep the Blues in the ascendancy as time ticked away for Churchill.

With fifteen minutes to play Churchill finally had an equaliser when Taylor Jackson went on a run weaving past two Olympians defenders before his shot was saved by Johnstone, but the ball fell back at Jackson’s feet to finish from close range 1-1.

Churchill was then gifted an advantage when Blues defender Brian Box was given his marching orders for his second bookable offence.

With eight minutes to play Churchill claimed the match when Dean Pyle’s free kick took a deflection to wrong foot Johnstone and give the Rams a much deserved win 2-1. 

Monash vs Falcons

A late second half goal gave Falcons a share of the points at Monash in a high tempo game 1-1. 

The home side started well with fifteen year old Ethan Lawrence promoted to a striking role after his record ten goal haul in the Under 16's on Saturday.

Lawrence was soon in the action forcing the Falcons keeper Paul Storey into a good save with the rebound falling to Adrian Iacovou whose effort hit the upright.

Soon after the Wolves grabbed the lead when pocket dynamo Ash Birrell dispossessed Conor Clarke before driving a shot which Storey failed to hold with Wally Noppert on hand to fire home the rebound.

As the interval approached Monash spurned a great chance to double the lead when a pin-point Matt Stansbury cross found the head of Daniel Abela, but he couldn't direct his header goal ward.

In the second half chances were created and spurned by both sides in an entertaining end to end period of play.

 

With time running out for the Falcons to salvage a draw it was former Monash player Sam Amaira who provided the equaliser, latching onto a long ball and beating two opponents in the box before curling the ball into the far corner of the net with just ten minutes to play 1-1.

The best chance of the final minutes saw Storey deny a powerful Stansbury free kick from thirty yards as Falcons held out to grab a share of the points.

Traralgon City vs Sale United

Sale United continued on their winning way accounting for fellow top four side Traralgon City 2-0 at Harold Preston Reserve. 

The Swans were missing several key position players and were forced to place in form striker Jon Piefke in goals in Richardson’s absence.

Dick Bosma medalist Mark Fairbrother won City a penalty kick and Adam Batt stepped up but failed to beat Piefke in goals clipping the upright and out for a goal kick. 

Things looked grim for the Swans when hard running midfielder Tommy Nguyen sustained a serious injury which saw him take no further part in the game.

With just half an hour expired in the match sale gained a numerical advantage when Manny Askew was given his immediate marching orders for an ill timed tackle that gave the referee no option.

In the second half with the score still tied nil all the Roosters attacked through Dustin Moos and Mark Fairbrother but couldn’t find a way past Callum Markovic a centre back for the Swans.

Sale eventually found an opening and took the lead 1-0 when Karbo Phillips out paced the City defence before chipping the goal keeper. 

A daring run from Ashley Ross was rewarded when he doubled the visitors lead with a clinical finish to round out the match 2-0.

Fortuna vs Newborough-Yallourn United

Fortuna has continued its mid season drive for the Championship title with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Newborough-Yallourn United on Saturday night.

Fortuna’s returning trio of stars did the damage headed by Captain Josh Tanti with a hat trick, striker George Fkiaris with a double and Owen Kelly rounded out the six goal rout.

Round 12 Preview

On Saturday night Falcons (7^th) face Olympians (9^th) in an interesting battle after the sides finished in a 2-2 draw last time.

On Sunday Fortuna (2^nd) will face a difficult match against the unpredictable Tyers (8^th) who on their day are capable of causing an upset.  Newborough-Yallourn (10^th) hosts ladder leader Churchill (1^st) and Traralgon City (5^th) have a must win trip to Monash (6^th) after losing last time to the Wolves 1-0.

Sale (3^rd) hosts Moe (4^th) in the match of the round with both sides in top form the Red Devils will be aiming to over turn the 2-1 loss the last time these sides met.