SOCCER

SOMERVILLE’S Adam Steele has been forced to retire due to ongoing concussion issues.

The uncompromising defender is the second local player to stop playing this season due to the risk of head injury after post-concussion syndrome prematurely ended the career of Frankston Pines’ stalwart CJ Hodgson in April.

London-born Steele, 32, arrived in Melbourne in 2012 and his first club here was Manningham United where he made the switch to defence after playing most of his career up front.

He joined Somerville in early 2021 after stints with Eltham Redbacks, Ashburton United and Mount Martha.

“Somerville’s been a fantastic club for me in terms of the culture and the playing group,” Steele said.

“It’s a great club to play for with a tremendous family atmosphere and I’ll be continuing with my role as technical director of the juniors.”

His farewell match on Saturday – a State 4 clash against Noble Park at Tyabb Reserve – went to script as the local side won 5-2.

Tom Simmons’ four-goal haul and a Connor Carson half-volley sealed the visitors’ fate but not before Noble Park recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit to draw level after the interval.

In NPL2 Langwarrin lost 3-0 away to Moreland City and Langy captain Rogan McGeorge was sent off in the second half for the third time this season.

The big news in State 1 was Mornington’s capture of David Stirton who joined from Doveton last week.

The former NPL forward had been training with the Seagulls for the past few weeks and came off the bench in the second half as the local side’s clash with Fitzroy City ended in a 0-0 stalemate on Saturday.

Josh Hine had Mornington’s best chance of the first half but took too long to shoot and his eventual attempt was blocked while Josh Heaton’s back post header from a Danny Brooks free-kick in the second half was denied by an excellent reaction save from Fitzroy keeper Jaik Parekh.

Fitzroy’s best chance of the second period fell to striker James Papadimitriou who beat Seagulls’ custodian Taylor Davidson to the ball and rounded him only to scuff his shot which was cleared.

The match was played at North Seaford Reserve due to ongoing problems with Dallas Brooks Park and Mornington’s postponed fixture against Casey Comets will be played on Wednesday this week at Lawton Park with a 7.30pm kick-off.

In State 2 Peninsula Strikers came from 2-1 down at Ballam Park to beat Monbulk Rangers 3-2 on Saturday night.

Strikers led 1-0 at half-time after Riley Anderton finished off a quick free-kick from Cooper Andrews.

But goals from Monbulk’s Theo Danilis and Tom Wilkinson in the 63rd and 66th minutes had the home side in trouble.

Substitute Mohsen Chehimi levelled with a low, left-foot strike from an Ahmad Tabbara cross and Jai Power headed home the winner following an Andrews corner.

Chehimi had been cautioned before coming on and a second caution in injury time earned an automatic send-off.

Skye United lost 2-1 at home against Mooroolbark on Saturday in the local club’s Chris Attard Memorial round.

Jack Buglass put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute after a long ball caught out the Skye defence.

The home side drew level in the 71st minute after Jack Gallagher pounced on a loose ball in the box but the Barkers clinched the points in injury time when Geordie Scott’s strike found the top corner.

The Chris Attard Memorial Winners were Jack Gallagher in the seniors and Nick Wright in the reserves.

Skye’s fixture against North Caulfield will be played this Thursday at Skye Recreation Reserve at 8.30pm.

In State 3 Frankston Pines stayed on top of the ladder with a 2-0 away win over Whitehorse United last weekend.

Two goals from Liam Baxter in the last 10 minutes of normal time settled the issue.

His first goal came when he was put through and rounded the keeper before finishing calmly and his second in the 88th minute saw him casually stroke the ball into goal following a defensive blunder.

Pines make their long-awaited return to Monterey Reserve this Saturday.

In State 4 Baxter has signed Brodie McMinimee from Doveton and he had a fine debut in the club’s 2-0 home win over FC Noble Hurricanes on Saturday.

The local club had to act quickly after three senior players – Luke Grant, Nat Daher and Charlie O’Connell – joined Mazenod in State 1.

Baxter’s Jack Buttery gave the hosts a half-time lead after a superb Lewis Gibson cross was met first time by Joey Bucello whose shot was blocked before Buttery finished well from the rebound.

Gibson made the points safe in the 75th minute when he cut in past a defender on the right and his shot took a slight deflection.

Chelsea lost 3-0 away to league leader Dandenong South on Saturday.

“We made defensive errors and gifted them the first two goals,” Chelsea head coach Carlo Melino said.

“We had a number of chances including hitting the cross bar twice and while it was a good effort from the lads, it was disappointing that we didn’t take our chances to make it a closer game.”

In State 5 Mount Martha and Aspendale drew 1-1 at Civic Reserve last weekend.

The visitors had the better of the first half and a Keiran Hughes goal gave them the lead at the break.

But David Oswald’s 73rd minute strike from the edge of the area ensured that the points were shared.

Rosebud played out a thrilling 4-4 draw away from home against Hampton Park United last weekend.

First-half goals from Cory Osorio and Blake Hicks had Rosebud 2-0 up at half-time and Jacob Field made it 3-0 early in the second period before Hampton hit back twice with the first from the penalty spot.

Field made it 4-2 with an overhead volley from a corner but a rare Hayden Hicks error allowed the home side to get to 4-3 and late in the game snatch an equaliser.

First published in the Frankston Times – 5 July 2022