SOCCER WHEN the final whistle blew in Saturday’s State 1 clash at Comets Stadium visitor Mornington marched off the pitch with eight men and three points in a remarkable result. Club president Matt Cameron described the 1-0 scoreline as “one of the greatest wins in the club’s history”. But that was furthest from his mind in the 15th minute when referee Vince Turcarolo courted controversy with a straight red for Mornington midfielder Rhys Craigie after a challenge on Comets keeper Lajos Hun. Ten minutes later the 10 men took the lead. A superb interpassing move involving Rory Currie, Brady Pollard,…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER LIAM Baxter’s sudden return to Baxter and Donn Delaney’s unexpected departure as Peninsula Strikers joint senior coach were the main talking points leading into last week’s opening of the State League season. Baxter was Frankston Pines’ top scorer last season but switched to Baxter Park in September then a few weeks later started training with Beaumaris eventually joining the Bayside outfit. Their relationship ended abruptly early last week and Baxter celebrated his second arrival at the local club by scoring in its 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Baxter Park on Saturday. The final scoreline was a good result for…
SOCCER BAXTER looms as a strong candidate for promotion among local State League clubs heading into this weekend’s first round of the 2023 league season. While there’s been noise around the promotion chances of Mornington, Peninsula Strikers and Seaford United much of the off-season attention has focussed on the extensive makeover that has taken place at Baxter Park. New head coach Stephen Fisher and assistant Hayden Taylor have overseen the introduction of 15 newcomers into a 23-man senior squad and all the new signings have come from clubs in higher leagues. “To be honest the joint is bouncing,” Fisher said.…
SOCCER LANGWARRIN, Mornington and Frankston Pines were the only local teams remaining in the fourth preliminary round of the 2023 Australia Cup as we went to press. Skye United was due to host Collingwood City at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve on Monday this week so there’s a chance that four local participants will be in the round four draw with ties to be played as midweek matches in early April. State 2 promotion contender Peninsula Strikers was dumped from the cup last weekend going down 2-0 to State 3 opponent Williamstown while State 5 outfit Rosebud went down 4-0 to…
SOCCER FRASER Maclaren faces three months on the sidelines while A-League legend Leigh Broxham has joined Chelsea as a club ambassador. Maclaren, Mornington’s first choice goalkeeper, will have surgery this week to repair knee damage following an incident in a recent friendly against Doveton. “It was an awkward landing and I knew straight away that I’d hyperextended and I felt it pop,” Maclaren said. “The meniscus tear is the main issue but I’ve done other things as well. “It certainly is the worst injury I’ve had and I expect to be out for three months. “Hopefully I have a speedy…