Churchill United is within a point of claiming this year’s Gippsland Soccer League Championship after title rivals Fortuna slipped up for the second week in a row, soundly beaten 3-0 by Traralgon Olympians whilst the Rams were late 2-0 winners over Falcons on Saturday night.

Churchill pressed in the first half but could not fashion a clear chance in front of goal, however before half time the game changed as striker Stephen Riess was given his marching orders for lashing out at defender Joe Auciello.

Playing against ten men for the entire second half, Falcons stepped up the pressure via the counter attack and nearly took the lead as Sam Amaira’s stinging shot hit the cross bar.

With about ten minutes to go Falcons thought they had taken the lead only for the goal to be disallowed for interference on stand in Rams ‘keeper Nathan Osborne.

But like all great teams Churchill wasn’t done and with a minute to play coach Luke Cheney pulled off a spectacular bicycle kick which was saved by Falcons keeper Paul Storey. 

From the subsequent kick out Storey was adjudged to have held the ball longer than the stipulated six seconds allowed and an indirect free kick was awarded to Churchill.

Cheney stepped up to score after a wicked deflection off the Falcons wall left Storey scrambling as the ball crossed the line. 

Just a minute later Churchill’s Kwaku Dade unleashed a 30 yard tracer to claim a backs to the wall win for the Rams 2-0 in a dramatic end to the match.

Traralgon Olympians showed the potential their early season promised with a comprehensive 3-0 win over second placed Fortuna.

Olympian’s George Demetrios held former team mate George Fkaris well and Fortuna’s route to goal was stunted with central defenders Jon Buhagiar and Tony Pardo creating constant road blocks.

The Olympians were also dominating attacking play and in form striker Clayton Bell capitalised with a cracking goal to send the Blues in 1-0 at the break.

In the second half Olympians continued to control proceedings and when Ivan Vekic converted a penalty to take the score to 2-0 Fortuna looked spent.

Substitute Frank Albanese provided the icing on the cake when he finished at the back post for the Olympians to run out 3-0 winners.

In the final match of the catch up round Traralgon City was too good for Tyers on Sunday winning 2-0 to claim fourth spot on the ladder.

The win means Moe United (3^rd), Traralgon City (4^th) and Sale United (5^th) are all equal on 24 points with just goal difference separating them.

Goal scorers for City were Conor Van Der Staay and Mark Fairbrother.

Preview Round 16

Traralgon City vs Churchill United

The stakes are high for both Traralgon City and Churchill on Sunday with the Roosters desperate to win to stay in the finals and the Rams eager to wrap up this year’s Championship.

Last time Churchill punished City on a rain sodden Hazelwood South Reserve 4 - 0 but at home the Roosters are a much tougher task and with so much to play for expect this match to go down to the wire.

City has some flashy players with John Koul, Dustin Moos and Mark Fairbrother stand outs; whilst Churchill has exciting players across the park Nathan Lugton, Luke Cheney and Kwaku Dade stand out.

Moe United vs Fortuna 60 

Fortuna is staring down its third consecutive defeat in recent memory when they face third placed Moe who need to win to make the finals.

The equation is simple for Moe: they either need to defeat Fortuna this week or Churchill next week to have a realistic chance of making the finals.

With Sale having an easier run to the line it could come down to goal difference to decide 4^th spot between the Red Devils and City.

Fortuna cannot be dislodged from second place but playing for pride expect a fierce display from both clubs at Olympic Park on Sunday.

Falcons 2000 vs Tyers

Falcons will be looking to continue their recent form by toppling Tyers at home on Saturday night in a twilight fixture commencing at 5pm.

With no injuries coming out of the brutal Churchill game the Birds will go in with a full complement of players and will look to avenge their 4-4 draw earlier in the season as they tune up for the Battle of Britain Cup final on September 2^nd.

Sale United vs Newborough-Yallourn

NYU are in a rich vein of form having drawn with Tyers and defeated Falcons in its last two outings.

Sale will need to be on its toes against a club that is eager to avoid the wooded spoon and will be gunning for a win.

The Swans looked a different team in their last match defeating Olympians 2-1 after a three game losing streak. 

With Jon Piefke as a target man and Ash Ross, Tom Nguyen and Dave Myall linking up across the middle Sale should be too good.

Monash vs Traralgon Olympians

Monash host Olympians with both sides aiming to win after a nil all draw back in round seven.

Monash play their Torress Street ground extremely well with a defensive counter attacking style which Olympians may struggle with.

However, Clayton Bell should prove the difference in this match giving Olympians favoritism.