Soccer
ROSEBUD remains on top of the State 5 South ladder after a stirring 3-1 away win over Aspendale on Saturday. It didn’t take long for Nathan Yole’s threat to emerge after he got clear in the 10th minute only to hammer a shot against the Aspendale crossbar.
In the 22nd minute Rosebud went 1-0 up after a slick spin by Yole off a defender before squaring the ball for Davis Markulin to tap in from point-blank range. Aspendale captain Matthew Bruce had a great chance in the 37th minute when he ran onto a fine through ball only to be denied by a well-timed sliding challenge from Billy Painting. After the break the home side upped the ante but cried out for someone to add a finishing touch. The breakthrough came when referee Tina Zafiropoulos correctly pointed to the spot and James Macnab gave ’Buds keeper Colin McCormack no chance.
Rosebud gaffer Stuart Johnston had brought on two veterans at half-time in Stef Papaluca and Dave Greening then in the 72nd minute on came another battle-hardened sub in Mark Pagliarulo. In the 78th minute they combined for the go-ahead goal that could be described as being 126 years in the making. Forty-five-year-old Papaluca played a long ball over the top for 42-year-old Greening to charge onto and when Greening slewed his strike across the face of goal there was 39-year-old “Pags” storming in and slamming a first-time shot into the roof of the net.
Aspendale heads didn’t drop and the home side kept pressing forward especially down its left side where Dom Paul was its most dangerous weapon in the second half. It took until the second minute of added time for Rosebud fans to breathe easy after a Greening volley struck the bar and recent signing from Peninsula Strikers, Ben Symonds, was on hand to head home the rebound.
In other State 5 news Seaford’s unbeaten start to the season continued with a tough 1-0 win over Mount Eliza at Emil Madsen Reserve last weekend. From the first whistle it was clear that both teams were up for this derby. In the 12th minute Mount Eliza was forced to make a change after Cohan King was on the receiving end of a tackle and had to be stretchered off.
In the 38th minute the ball fell to Seaford captain Blake Hicks on the edge of the box who curled a first-time effort that looked destined for the top corner until Mount Eliza keeper Luke Armao palmed the ball away. It was the turn of Seaford keeper Hayden Hicks to keep the scoreline blank moments before half-time.
Mount Eliza’s Nickel Chand was in a one-on-one with Hicks but couldn’t round the keeper who made a fine save. The second half was just as intense as the first with tackles flying in left, right and centre. The derby was sitting on a knife’s edge and it didn’t take long to boil over. In the 55th minute Seaford striker Josh Vega received a straight red for violent conduct and with the visitors down to 10 men Mount Eliza began to win the lion’s share of possession. But Seaford looked more dangerous on the counter albeit that the pivotal moment came from a set piece in the 70th minute. That was when a Backy Barakzoi winner straight from a corner proved to be the difference in this enthralling encounter.
Seaford still has not heard from Football Victoria as to the outcome of its abandoned round one home game against Cleeland United. Seaford led 10-0 a couple of minutes into the second half when two Cleeland players went down injured and the already undermanned visitors didn’t have enough players left on the pitch to continue. That match took place on Saturday 23 March and as we went to press both Seaford and Cleeland United still await FV’s ruling.
Mount Martha lost 3-2 to Casey Panthers at Civic Reserve on Saturday. Jacob Platt and Daniel Bancroft scored for the home team.
In VPL1 news Langwarrin’s six-game road trip ended on Monday this week when it played Bulleen at the Veneto Club.
The local outfit faces a blockbuster clash on Saturday when it welcomes Melbourne Victory to its Lawton Park headquarters. Last week Langy staged a remarkable comeback from 3-0 and 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with Kingston City at The Grange Reserve. Luke Adams, Tom Youngs, Joe O’Brien and Luke Goulding scored for Langwarrin.
In State 1 Mornington lost its second match in a row going down 3-2 at home to South Springvale on Saturday. Sammy Orritt’s double wasn’t enough for the Seagulls who travel to Comets Stadium this Saturday to face Mazenod. A third loss in four games would raise serious questions about Mornington’s promotion aspirations.
In State 2 news Peninsula Strikers announced themselves as serious title contenders when they smashed home team Mooroolbark 5-1 on Saturday. Nine minutes in Cooper Andrews scored with an outrageous bicycle kick from the edge of the box that looped over Barkers’ keeper Mark Naumowicz for the opener. In the 26th minute a long clearance from Billy Rae was pounced on by Wayne Gordon who neatly lobbed Naumowicz to make it 2-0. Nine minutes later the home team hit back when Daniel Aye went down the left then squared for Geordie Scott whose volley made it 2-1.
Scott should have equalised early in the second half but instead rattled the crossbar from close range. Strikers regained control and Andrews made it 3-1 in the 61st minute after combining with Taylan Geylan. In the 83rd minute it was man-of-the-match Andrews once more tormenting the Barkers’ right back before setting up Tommy Wood who made no mistake smashing the ball into the back of the net. The final goal came in the 94th minute after a one-two between Jaiden Madafferi and Andrew Goff saw Madafferi set up Wood for another side-foot volley to cap an emphatic display from the visitors.
On Sunday Skye United lost 1-0 away to North Caulfield. A Marcus Collier own goal settled the issue.
In State 3 news Frankston Pines lost 6-1 away to Rowville Eagles on Saturday. Pines went behind early but Cal Bradbury levelled after 10 minutes when he pounced on a goalkeeping error. Rowville hit back and led 2-1 at the break and overran the visitors in the second half. Pines’ best on a tough day for the local outfit were goalkeeper Matt Halliwell and Sam Delaney.
In State 4 news Chelsea’s table-topping start to the season ended at Reema Reserve last weekend when a match that doubles as the Carlo Melino Cup saw Endeavour United run out a 5-3 winner. There’s little between these sides but forced first-half substitutions of Chelsea’s Dylan Scott (knee) and Jacob Ross (hamstring) highlighted a lack of depth in head coach Gus Macleod’s squad. James Stinson, Daniel Vella and Tim Koulouris scored for Chelsea but the match highlight was a world-class goal from veteran Endeavour striker Matty Durand that gave Chelsea keeper Thomas Carter no chance.
It took a late winner to save Somerville Eagles from paying the price of a wasteful display against Lyndale United at Lyndale Secondary College on Saturday. The decisive moment came in the 84th minute when a pinpoint cross from Tom Simmons on the right found an unmarked Kyan Taberner whose header sailed over Lyndale keeper Michael Napolitano.
Baxter went down 4-0 away to league leader Monash University last weekend. Monash led 3-0 at half-time and there was no way back for Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor’s side whose afternoon went from bad to worse with the dismissals of Tom Hawkins and Dylan Tervit in the second half. “I’m embarrassed by the first-half performance,” Taylor said. “We need to improve rapidly in a lot of areas if we want to compete week-in week-out, let alone challenge for promotion.”
Mentone and Sandown Lions drew 1-1 at Mentone Grammar Playing Fields in Keysborough last weekend. Chris Gibson had the ball in the net for the hosts after 25 minutes but it was ruled offside in a goalless first half. Mentone had a number of opportunities in the second period but it was Math Thowat who put the visitors in front on 75 minutes prodding home at the back post. Ten minutes later Mentone was level through captain Marcus Spivey’s close range header. Both sides had chances to take all three points but couldn’t convert and in the end Mentone had goalkeeper Quinn Carter to thank for saving a penalty in the closing moments.
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES
Friday 19 April, 8.30pm:
Chelsea v Hampton Park Utd, Edithvale Recreation Reserve
Saturday 20 April, 3pm:
Langwarrin v Melbourne Victory, Lawton Park
Mazenod v Mornington, Comets Stadium
Peninsula Strikers v Chisholm Utd, Centenary Park
Skye Utd v Bayside Argonauts, Skye Recreation Reserve
Frankston Pines BYE
Baxter v Endeavour Utd, Baxter Park
Somerville Eagles v Keysborough, Western Port Secondary College
Lyndale Utd v Mentone, Lyndale Secondary College
Mount Eliza v Mount Martha, Emil Madsen Reserve
FC Noble Hurricanes v Aspendale, Alex Nelson Reserve
Endeavour Hills Fire v Rosebud, Power Reserve
Casey Panthers v Seaford, Prospect Hill Reserve
First published in the Frankston Times – 16th April 2024
