SOCCER

GSL

THE reigning Gippsland Soccer League champion Churchill collided with Battle of Britain Cup holder Falcons 2000 on Saturday evening when twilight football returned to Latrobe City Sports Stadium.

The Rams had an impeccable record in recent years against the home side but that came to a crashing halt in this fixture.

Churchill started the better of the two teams but the Birds quickly flicked the switch and duly took the lead midway through the first half with a penalty neatly converted by Jesse Kennedy.

Kennedy had the chance to double his side's lead before the main break but Churchill keeper Marc Johnson was equal to the task with a magnificent one-handed save to ensure his team stayed in the contest.

The second half saw much of the same as Falcons continued to press forward and they were rewarded for their efforts when Kennedy slotted home a threatening cross from Isaac Abas to make it 2-0.

Abas went from provider to goal scorer when he nodded home a corner to essentially kill the game off.

Joe Auciello made it four late on with a clinically timed header at the near post before a Paul Riess free kick gave Churchill a consolation goal.

The 4-1 win saw Falcons solidify their position just behind Sale at the top of the table and keen to continue their unbeaten start to the season with a trip to Monash on Sunday.

NYU v Fortuna

NEWBOROUGH-Yallourn United turned in its most complete performance of the season so far when it hosted Fortuna at Burrage Reserve on Sunday.

The game started well for the home side which was on the board with less than 10 minutes gone.

After a NYU corner was only partially cleared by the Fortuna defenders, Andrew Batt was on the spot to poke home the rebound and give his side the perfect start.

Midway through the half NYU captain Adam Batt went within inches of doubling the lead when his drive from 25 yards beat everyone but the woodwork, before the ball cannoned back to teammate Dylan Fairbrother whose follow up shot drew a fine reaction save from Fortuna keeper David Anderson.

NYU kept Anderson and the Fortuna defenders under the pump for the remainder of the half but could not add to the 1-0 advantage going into the break.

The second half saw the game open up and NYU took full advantage, passing the ball around at will and dragging their opponents all over the pitch.

Mark Fairbrother cashed in on the space he was granted to latch onto a through ball and slot home a tidy finish past Anderson to double NYU's advantage.

Minutes later some good work down the left flank saw a cross into the penalty area get lashed home on the half volley by Dylan Fairborther as NYU took a 3-0 lead with Fortuna in disarray.

With 20 minutes remaining NYU was in control and their dominance in midfield was the precursor to the home side putting their fourth on the board as once again Mark Fairbrother broke clear of his marker to turn in his second of the day.

Mark Fairbrother was hunting his hat trick and went close a couple of times in the closing stages but could not beat Anderson as NYU completed a thorough 4-0 victory.

Morwell Pegasus v Monash

BOLSTERED by its scoreless draw with league champion Churchill in round six, Morwell Pegasus returned home to claim its first three points of the 2015 campaign in a feisty clash against Monash.

A four-goal haul from Alradi Ismail was the highlight as Pegasus survived a second half revival to win 5-2.

Ismail put Pegasus in the box seat early with a quick double, capitalising on long clearing bombs from goalkeeper Leon Cook.

A freak long range own goal saw the home team build a comfortable 3-0 buffer by half-time.

The lead came under threat immediately in the second half as the Wolves hit the scoresheet within minutes of the restart to make it 3-1.

Wally Noppert was brought down in the box moments later and the resulting penalty conversion breathed life into the game at 3-2.

After a tense 20 minute period Pegasus pulled away as Ismail converted a penalty, followed by a cool finish at the near post to give his side the three points.

Tyers v EGUFC

LIGHTNING struck twice for Tyers at the weekend when the 2014 wooden spooner scored its second win of the season over East Gippsland United.

A high scoring affair at West Bairnsdale Oval saw the travelling Tyers escape with a thrilling 4-3 victory over the competition newcomer.

Goals to main man Shayne Pavich, Braydon Bates and Matthew and Jake Budija saw the visitor sneak home and into ninth on the competition ladder.

Sale United v Olympians

THE usual suspects were on the mark as ladder leader Sale United accounted for Olympians 4-1.

Ash Ross and Tommy Nguyen netted for the Swans, with goals from Robbie Stephen and Trevor Irwin making sure of the points.

Ross and Nguyen now boast 10 goals apiece after seven rounds, equal with Ash Birrell of Moe and three adrift of Falcons' Jesse Kennedy in the golden boot race.

Traralgon City v Trafalgar

TRARALGON City edged over the line against an improving Trafalgar 2-1 at Harold Preston Reserve on Sunday.

Scores were deadlocked 1-1 at half-time but the Roosters were able to break the stalemate in the second stanza.

Moe United had the bye