SOCCER IF JAMIE Skelly thought about his debut as an NPL senior coach he’s unlikely to have imagined a more positive scenario. It’s the second minute of the season opener and Skelly’s newlook Langwarrin is facing NPL heavyweight Bentleigh Greens at Lawton Park. Luke Goulding sends a long ball forward and quicksilver Tom Youngs reads the defender’s intended header back to Greens keeper Andrew Withers. Youngs nips in and wins the ball and Withers flattens him. Referee Jackson Landy points to the spot, Youngs converts and it’s a dream start for Skelly’s men. Five minutes later any remaining naysayers among…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER LANGWARRIN’S league season kicks off on Saturday evening when the local club hosts Bentleigh Greens in the opening round of the rebranded VPL1 competition. It’s been almost 15 years since these teams met in a league game at Lawton Park and the locals will be hoping for a different outcome to the 1-0 loss suffered on 4 July 2009. Langy head coach Jamie Skelly is under no illusions about the task ahead against an NPL heavyweight still smarting from last season’s relegation. “It’s probably as tough an assignment as we could have got for round one but I think…
SOCCER IT’S the largest senior squad makeover on the peninsula and the Donn Delaney revolution at Frankston Pines continues apace. The former Peninsula Strikers head man has confronted a huge player exodus at Monterey Reserve and has responded with a recruitment drive the size of which is rarely seen in local ranks. So far 19 players from other clubs have been brought into the senior squad and there will be more. “The squad is by no means finalised,” Delaney said. “But I’ve been really impressed so far and the club has been very welcoming and inclusive of everyone who has…
SOCCER A DAY that started in disappointment ended in triumph for new Baxter head coach Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor on Saturday. In a classic David and Goliath tale State 4 Baxter defeated VPL1 Langwarrin in a dramatic finale to the 2024 Steve Wallace Cup at Lawton Park. Baxter became the fifth club to lift the trophy that commemorates a local football legend and the lowest ranked club to do so. But a half-hour before the 1pm start to the annual event Taylor could be heard bellowing his disapproval over the dressing room arrangement. “Bloody ridiculous!” he roared as he paced up…
AFTER consulting participating clubs organisers have decided to change the format of the Steve Wallace Cup and have added the Steve Wallace Plate to the annual tournament to be held at Lawton Park on Saturday. Based on Football Victoria standings at the end of last season six teams will contest the Steve Wallace Cup and six teams will contest the Steve Wallace Plate. Langwarrin, Mornington, Peninsula Strikers, Skye United, Frankston Pines and Baxter will contest the Steve Wallace Cup. Somerville Eagles, Mount Martha, Mount Eliza, Rosebud, Seaford United and Langwarrin Bayside will contest the Steve Wallace Plate. In both the…