Sostack fires Monash to valuable win

Monash performed a snatch and grab attack on Traralgon City on Sunday claiming a valuable 1-0 away win over the undefeated Roosters. 

The early indications were that it would be a scrappy affair, with Monash soaking up pressure and attacking on the counter.

Traralgon’s Mark Fairbrother began to work his way into the game and was twice denied by last ditch tackles from returning Wolves defender Chris Noppert, but were unable to make their dominance count as the game remained scoreless at half time.
 
Early in the second half the Wolves took the lead when Eric Sostak claimed his fourth of the season after the keeper failed to hold Cummings initial shot, and the veteran curled the ball home.

City began to push hard and the Monash defence, who was missing regulars Trent Felici and Ethan Lawrence held firm, with keeper Mark Heatherington dominating the aerial duels.

City's John Kuol was looking dangerous down the right but he was unable to find the end product as the home side floundered.

Dustin Moos had a great chance to level the contest but he flashed his chance wide of the upright in the dying minutes as Monash claimed the win 1-0.

Olympians vs Falcons

Pre-season title fancy Traralgon Olympians has fallen further behind the ladder leaders with a 2-2 draw at home to Falcons. 

Falcons controlled the tempo of the match but had to wait until the thirty minute mark before Nick D’Alessandro put the Morwell side in front with a neat finish from 15 yards out.

As expected, Olympians came out all guns blazing in the second half and equalized through former Falcons player Michael Fava, one of four former Birds lining up for the Blues.

Falcons however were undeterred and retook the lead. With a glimpse to the future junior players Isaac Abas and Gianni Salvatore linked up with the latter scoring his maiden senior goal with a quality finish.

A fairytale result for Falcons was not to be, as a deep cross from Kenny Higgins managed to elude both defence and goal keeper to sneak in at the back post to break the hearts of his former team mates 2-2.

Moe vs Sale

Sale United has come from one nil down to defeat Moe United 2-1 at Olympic Park on Sunday.

Sale came out of the blocks hard and tested Red Devils ‘keeper Peter Albanese to produce some excellent reflex saves to keep scores level.

As the half continued Moe started to create momentum and Adrian Savage opened the scoring with a tidy finish against the run of play. 

In the second half Moe lost all momentum when Sale’s Tommy Nguyen scored shortly after the restart skipping past three Moe defenders and Albanese to tap into an empty net levelling the scores at 1-1. 

 

The continued Sale pressure lead to another goal after a back post pass from Dave Myall found youngster Callum Clancy to finish off a well rounded move 2-1.   

 

Churchill vs NYU

Churchill continued their perfect start to the season with a workmanlike 4-1 victory over a plucky Newborough Yallourn side on Sunday to remain top of the ladder.

It was Newborough Yallourn who threatened to steal the show after a scrappy opening when John Davey latched on to a ball over the top to smash a volley past keeper Jason Sands from outside the box to take an unexpected lead 1-0.

This spurred the Rams into action and they got their reward when Jesse Kennedy finished off some neat work from the left to level matters. Shortly afterwards coach Luke Cheney curled an unstoppable free kick into the far corner to give the Rams a 2-1 half time lead going into the break.

The match was an even affair after the interval until late in the second half when Cheney was fouled in the box, allowing Mark Bianconi to convert the resultant penalty for a 3-1 advantage.

Shortly before the final whistle the scoring was completed when Nathan Osborne beat his man down the left, squaring for Cheney to knock in his second and the Rams to run out victors 4-1.

Fortuna vs Tyers

Fortuna overcame Tyers in another comprehensive display 6-2 on Sunday to remain undefeated this season.

Josh Tanti had a day out for the Orangemen scoring a hat trick of goals.  He was joined on the scorers list by Joel Pirotta and George Fkiaris scored a brace for his new club after crossing from Olympians.

The Lightning were unable to replicate the heroics of last weeks win over Moe but again showed their scoring ability with coach Mark Pavich and in form striker Jake Budija both getting on the score sheet.

 

Round 4 Preview

Traralgon Olympians travels to Burrage Reserve on Sunday to take on Newborough Yallourn and will be hoping to get its season back on track after collecting just one point from a possible nine on offer in the opening three rounds.

NYU has shown in recent weeks that it is no push over having made life very difficult for ladder leader Churchill and by pushing Fortuna to the brink. 

Olympians are now under tremendous pressure to perform and Combine Coach Steve Heywood will relish the opportunity to claim the points.

Falcons host Traralgon City in a battle of the youngsters with both sides brimming with youth, whilst Fortuna makes the trek to Sale in a potential danger game for the defending Champions.

In other matches the undefeated Monash face Moe in a derby and Churchill travels to Tyers.