SOCCER
FRANKSTON Pines were the only local team to win promotion this year after the weekend’s final round of matches ended the chances of Mornington, Peninsula Strikers and Skye United.
However, Pines failed to win the State 3 South-East title after heading the league ladder for most of the season only to draw 0-0 away to Ashburton and finish second to Hampton East Brighton.
Star Pines midfielder Jordan “Caka” Avraham was shown a straight red card in the 29th minute which made Pines’ task of breaking down a defensive-minded opponent difficult.
“They well and truly parked the bus and although we created a few chances we couldn’t break them down,” Pines boss Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor said.
“It was disappointing as we lost twice all year, had 14 clean sheets, scored 60 goals and conceded 15.
“But it is what it is. Our primary aim was to get the club out of State 3 and we have achieved that.”
Promotion ensures a series of local derbies next year with Pines, Strikers and Skye United all hunting success at State 2 level.
In NPL2 Langwarrin’s season of underachievement finished on a positive note with a gripping 3-2 win over Manningham United Blues at Lawton Park on Saturday.
Prior to the season kick-off the local club was bullish about its promotion prospects having assembled a squad boasting NPL elite quality but reality never matched expectation.
Six wins in 22 matches attest to that.
At least home fans went home happy last weekend and were given a glimpse of the future after outstanding displays from two teenagers, midfield matchwinner Jacob Brito and debutant goalkeeper Nathan Lynders.
Fraser Maclaren’s late call-off due to migraine gave Lynders his chance and he was composed throughout making two excellent reaction saves.
Langy led 2-0 at half-time thanks to a quick interplay between Kieran Dover, James Kelly and Tom Youngs in the 35th minute that saw Youngs cut inside his opponent then finish well with a low left-foot shot inside the box.
Just before the break Sam Orritt’s pinpoint cross from the right was deftly headed home by Kelly.
Langy failed to take a series of great chances in the second half and eventually cruise control turned to damage control as the visitors levelled through a Salvatore Accardo brace with his second in the 88th minute.
Two minutes later Brito’s moment arrived and the youngster unleashed a low left-foot drive from outside the area that rocketed inside the far post and settled the issue.
Former Bentleigh Greens and Oakleigh Cannons player Ryan Paczkowski was released by Langwarrin early last week.
Langy’s season isn’t over yet as its high-flying under-21 squad competes next weekend in the NPL finals series.
The squad coached by former Langwarrin teammates Ben Caffrey and Adam Poole finished fourth in the league and now squares up to under-21s league champion Northcote next weekend.
The match is expected to take place at John Cain Memorial Park but the venue, date and kick-off time had not been confirmed as we went to press so check social media and the Football Victoria website throughout the week for full fixture details.
In State 1 Mornington led eventual champion Beaumaris 1-0 on Saturday at Beaumaris Reserve only to lose 2-1.
Mornington needed other results to go its way and beat Beaumaris and it played its part with a fantastic goal by John Maclean in the 35th minute.
He turned his defender inside out before finishing well.
But four minutes into the second half Mornington hearts were broken as a long ball over the top saw a mix up between defenders and goalkeeper Taylor Davidson allowing Ryan Brown to pinch an equaliser.
Soon after Mornington striker Josh Hine had a golden chance to steal the lead back only to scuff his shot – a major let-off for the home side.
Mornington was made to pay as Beaumaris took the lead through Brown in the 65th minute and put an end to Mornington’s season and promotion ambitions.
In State 2 both Peninsula Strikers and Skye United missed out on promotion.
Strikers had the best chance of the local duo but both relied on other results which never went their way.
On Sunday Strikers beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1 away despite playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men after Jacob Pay’s dismissal for a second yellow card while Skye gave up a two-goal lead and drew 3-3 at home to champion Collingwood City.
Strikers took the lead in the 62nd minute thanks to a Cooper Andrews lob from 30 metres but Doncaster hit back in the 85th minute through captain Steve McRae’s free-kick.
The telling blow was struck by Riley Anderton in injury time after a combination between Huss and Mo Chehimi with the latter squaring the ball to Anderton for a tap-in.
At Skye Recreation Reserve a Mitch Blake header, an own goal and a Mark O’Connor free-kick had Skye 3-1 up with 10 minutes to play only for the locals to concede twice in a frantic ending.
Skye’s reserves won the championship when Collingwood conceded the clash and Skye was awarded a 3-0 walkover.
It’s still unclear why Collingwood chose to default given that it had contested 21 previous reserves games.
In State 4 Chelsea finished the season in some style with an 8-0 away win over Noble Park last weekend.
Chelsea led 2-0 at half-time before the floodgates opened after the interval.
Daniel Vella (3 goals), Will Ong (2), Vinnie Van Dyk, Luke D’Alessandro and Connor Scott were Chelsea’s scorers.
The pick of the goals were Vella’s first-time half-volley to finish a lengthy interpassing movement and a stunning solo effort by D’Alessandro.
Chelsea gaffer Carlo Melino was understandably upbeat after the whitewash.
“Previously at this level our best was six wins so to end on 12 wins and equal third in the league was excellent and the whole club is happy with that,” he said.
“The reserves finished second which was their highest finish at this level.
“We’ve given ourselves a great stepping stone for next season and we expect to retain most of the squad.”
Baxter farewelled senior coach George Hughes and assistant Robert Mathieson with a 2-1 away win over Keysborough on Saturday.
Substitute Lachie McMinimee put the visitors in front in the 67th minute with a superbly struck low free-kick from outside the box and Robbie O’Toole made it 2-0 in the 80th minute with a free-kick further out that was a top corner job.
Keysborough converted a controversial penalty with five minutes to go but Baxter held on for a well-deserved win to finish sixth in the league.
Somerville Eagles drew 2-2 with FC Noble Hurricanes at Alex Nelson Reserve last weekend.
The home side led 1-0 after eight minutes through a Connor Carson own goal following a corner but Joe Simmons levelled from the spot after being brought down inside the area in the 39th minute.
Noble Hurricanes thought they’d grabbed the points after winger Zuka Karic’s neat finish from a one-on-one in the 82nd minute but in the 90th minute a Conor Mcfall cross was headed home by Josh Simmons to share the spoils.
In State 5 Mount Martha ended a difficult season with a 2-0 home win over Pakenham United last weekend with both first-half goals coming from the club’s leading scorer Ethan Sanderson who finished fourth highest scorer in the league.
In the 13th minute Sanderson ran onto a pass from Mitch Hawkins to outpace a defender and drive a left-foot finish past Pakenham United keeper James Wightman.
His second came in the 43rd minute after a ball over the top by Campbell Leo picked out Sanderson who cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing Wightman.
The clash between Bunyip District and visitor Aspendale was washed out and won’t be replayed but that didn’t take the gloss off Aspendale’s reserves championship.
The club’s second-string side won the title with two games to go scoring 99 goals and conceding 14.
Striker Michael Pierce took out the league Golden Boot award with 18 goals while teammate Kailin Smith came third with 16 goals.
As with the senior squad the reserves are jointly coached by Gregor Macnab and Tony Guedes.
Mentone thrashed bottom club Rosebud 8-1 on Saturday with Hayden Hicks scoring for the ’Buds.
In an unusual switch the club’s first-choice keeper played up front and his goal was a cracking strike from outside the box that went in off a post.
