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 State 2 side Epping City at Aurora Fields on Saturday.

Both Strikers and Rosebud featured latest signings Andrew Goff and Dougie Cunnison respectively.

Goff travelled the now well-worn route from Dallas Brooks Park to Centenary Park and has previously played with Clifton Hill and Richmond.

The 28-year-old has been involved for weeks now in Strikers’ off-season and can play across the back four or in midfield.

Former Keilor Park captain Cunnison signed last week from Clifton Hill for his second stint with Rosebud.

The veteran captained Penicuik Athletic in his native Scotland and there’s a chance that two other State 1 players could join him at Olympic Park.

Langwarrin is concentrating on its league campaign as it enters the cup at the next stage of the national competition however Mornington and Pines were both in action last weekend.

Mornington beat Melton Phoenix 3-1 at Dallas Brooks Park but was given a stern test by its State 5 West challenger.

Star Seagulls striker Rory Currie should have put the home side ahead in the first half but his attempt slipped underneath Melton keeper Jason Hill and struck the post.

Melton shocked the home side when Adrian Mazzarella put it 1-0 up in the 11th minute as Mornington was caught defending a high line and a ball played in behind the defence proved its undoing.

Injury forced David Stirton to be replaced by teenager Ben Symonds in the 19th minute and right on half-time Symonds sent Currie through and the Scottish import made no mistake to send the sides in at the break locked at 1-1.

Symonds headed Mornington into the lead in the 61st minute following an excellent Ziggy Razuki cross and Currie gave home fans room to breathe in the 74th minute converting from the spot after being brought down inside the area.

At Monterey Reserve a Dylan Waugh hat-trick spearheaded Pines’ 6-1 win over State 4 West opponent Moonee Ponds United.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the home side.

When Waugh shrugged off the attentions of two defenders in the 10th minute his volley was well saved by Moonee Ponds keeper Paul Baker.

Ahmad Jawadi was making his Pines debut and Waugh sent him clear in the 12th minute but Jawadi shot wide.

A minute later Waugh opened his account after a strong run from midfielder Cal Batey put Waugh through and the big man had no trouble slotting the ball past Baker.

Waugh made it 2-0 in the 16th minute after an excellent overlap from Keegan Grealy and a pinpoint cutback from the right.

Shortly after Pines became sloppy at the back and in midfield giving the ball away far too easily.

They paid for their defensive ineptitude in the 36th minute turning over possession at the back and Scott Swinney’s fine low strike gave Pines keeper Colby Jones no chance.

It took until the 57th minute for Waugh to complete his hat-trick and shut down the visitors’ resistance.

A superb interpassing move involving four Pines players and a quick switch of play from right to left set up Waugh for a customary cool finish.

It also triggered movement on the Pines’ bench and as the second half progressed head coach Trevor Johnston was able to make five substitutions to involve his entire matchday squad in what turned in to a romp.

A second half brace from substitute Antonio Marcuccio and a goal from substitute Anish Khem completed the scoreline.

It was Johnston’s first win in his first official match as a senior coach and after the game he confirmed another first – that Hayley Malgioglio – was his senior assistant.

She is believed to be the first female appointed to a senior coaching role in the men’s game on the peninsula.

She represented Victoria as a junior and is a former Young Matilda having played for the national youth team in Myanmar and China.

Her club career is equally impressive involving stints at Box Hill, Melbourne City, Bulleen, South Melbourne and Casey Comets.

In State 5 news Seaford United keeper Hayden Hicks was in sparkling touch against Somerville Eagles in a friendly at North Seaford Reserve last weekend.

The sides were deadlocked at 2-2 at the final whistle but the man of the match was easy to find as Hicks put on a clinic in reaction saves and how to deal with one-on-ones.

Seaford featured new midfield signing Cory Osorio from Rosebud.

Here are the results of some pre-season friendlies:

Baxter 3 (Keegan Myatt, Noah Green, Dallas McNeil) Waverley Wanderers 3; Noble Park SC 1 Mentone 3 (Marcus Spivey, Eric Ervine, James Hilton); Mount Martha 2 (James Price, Josh McMillan) Old Melburnians 1; Pakenham Utd 0 Chelsea 5 (Adam Bartosi 2, Marshall Dobson, Sam Dunn, Hamish Dorigo); Seaford Utd 2 (Cory Osorio pen., Esmat Ehsani) Somerville Eagles 2 (Tom Simmons, Marcus Anastasiou); Mount Eliza 2 (Chris Parry 2) Mooroolbark Knights 3.

First published in the Frankston Times – 7 March 2023