SOCCER
THIS weekend’s reboot of the State League season following the Easter hiatus is highlighted by Saturday’s derby showdown between Mount Eliza and Mount Martha at Emil Madsen Reserve. League clashes between these State 5 South rivals are for the Mental Health Safety Net Cup which aims to raise awareness of this important health issue.
Although Mount Martha entered State League for the 2020 season the pandemic only allowed them to complete three full seasons, one more than Mount Eliza. They have met four times in the league for two wins each with last year’s round 4 result the biggest winning margin between them. Mount Eliza won 4-1 with a Mujtaba Sakhi brace and goals from Austen Mcewen and Nickel Chand.
However Mount Eliza coach Gerry McDonagh has been unable to overcome a lack of depth in his squad even though the side has managed to gain seven out of a possible 12 points so far and is third in the league. Mount Martha is three points adrift and is seventh. “We lost a few players during the off-season and we had difficulty replacing them,” McDonagh said. “We’re probably down to a bare 11 maybe 12 (players) then we’re looking at some boys who are 16 or 17 and we’ve given them some game time. “We’ve been a bit up and down so far and although we’ve played some good football we haven’t done it for the full 90 minutes. “But it’s a derby and they are always difficult to win no matter where the sides are in the league.”
McDonagh acknowledged that the clash is particularly important to his side albeit only round 5 of the league season. “In terms of the mindset (of the group) I guess you look at the fact that we go into it with a week off and face another week off straight after due to the bye so I think it’s important to get a result to keep progressing throughout the season.”
In VPL1 news no-one has hit the panic button yet at Langwarrin despite the local side being 10 games into its league season and in a relegation battle. Head coach Jamie Skelly struck an upbeat note in his part-season debrief despite his side lying 12th in the 14-team league just two points ahead of bottom duo FC Melbourne and Moreland City. “While our current position on the table isn’t where we would like to be there are a number of positives to take from the opening third of the season,” Skelly said.
“We’ve played some strong football and been really competitive against some good opposition and although results haven’t reflected the efforts the group has put in the belief in the squad remains high.
“We’ve identified execution in the final third as a key component of our game that we need to improve to ensure our rise up the table.”
Skelly hasn’t ruled out bringing in reinforcements if needed. “The transfer window doesn’t open until round 18 and we will continue to monitor the squad to determine if there is a need for reinforcements as the season progresses,” he added.
In State 1 news Mornington recently signed striker Rory Wagner from Gippsland United. He came on as a second-half substitute in the Seagulls’ round 3 win over Mazenod and made his full debut in round 4’s loss to Beaumaris. Wagner was Gippsland’s leading scorer last season but when Mornington travelled to Warragul for this season’s opener he played in the reserves before being an unused sub in the seniors. That alerted the Seagulls to his availability and after watching their round 2 clash with South Springvale Wagner agreed to the switch. “He’s a big, strong boy who is technically good and he can hold the ball up well,” senior assistant David Stirton said. “You can be a bit more direct when you play him up front.”
In State 4 news Frankston Pines has appointed Ross Evans as director of football. Evans arrived in Melbourne from England in 2013. He has played, coached and refereed so he has a broad football background. His senior coaching roles here have been with Collingwood City, Brighton and Elwood City. Ironically it was the Evans-coached Elwood that confirmed Pines’ relegation from State 3 in the final game of last season with a 1-0 win. Elwood was on the bottom of the table when Evans took over with eight games to go and he was able to guide the club to safety.
So why has he joined Pines given the near hopeless task the club faces to avoid ending up in the newly created State 6 next year as the bottom two clubs in State 4 face a two-division drop under Football Victoria’s league restructuring criteria? “The community aspect of the club was a massive pull,” Evans said. “Given the area and the multicultural and inclusivity aspects that football should be all about I was really attracted to Pines and the challenges they face.” A meeting with the club’s hierarchy convinced him to join.
“I met with Liz (Diaz), Tanya (Wood) and Sarah (Silberer) and you could tell they were genuine. “They’ve put their hands up and said they need some help from somebody with experience and I’m keen on doing things in football other than just being a coach. “Right now, for example, I’m working on getting players down there as well as developing coaches right across the club’s different programs.”
Evans also has been at the forefront of difficult conversations with some players. It’s believed that a handful were being paid which didn’t sit easily with others but that situation has been addressed. “There are players who want to be paid to play and I’m fine with that as there’s plenty of options for them but I want to be part of a system where the main reward are wins. “I know it’s difficult to implement but that’s what I’m trying to do.”
As for recruits there were five newcomers at training last week. It’s far too early to judge the impact of Evans’ arrival but given the club’s current problems with its senior men’s program if he can have a positive impact he’ll be hailed as a miracle worker. Let’s see what coming weeks bring.
At the other end of the State 4 table league leader Chelsea is just two points ahead of the chasing pack but plans to maintain its title tilt. Gus Macleod’s side has its gaze firmly fixed on two new signings but refuses to name them until they agree terms. One is a sweeper with VPL experience while the other is a striker that Chelsea hopes can take the heat off leading league scorer James Stinson who is targeted by the opposition each week.
“The sweeper looks top class to me from what I’ve seen in training so it’s just a mater of whether or not we can sign him,” Macleod said. “The big thing we’ve seen this year is a change in culture and we don’t have an issue with attendance at training that we had last year. “Our football is improved from last year and the new signings we’ve already made have brought not just quality but importantly experience into the squad.” Macleod was quick to note that Chelsea has beaten the bottom four teams in the league so no-one at the club is getting carried away by its early success.
In Australia Cup news Langwarrin is the peninsula’s sole representative in the national competition following last week’s 2-1 win over Mornington under the Lawton Park lights. Langwarrin fielded a senior starting 11 in stark contrast to its opponents who used virtually a reserves matchday squad with a handful of senior players.
vA Charlie Fry error was pounced on by the visitors in the 37th minute and Halil Reki made it 1-0.
Langy had to wait until the 74th minute for Brad Blumenthal to draw the sides level and the winner from Archie Macphee came seven minutes later.
NEXT WEEKEND
Friday, 25 April, 8.30pm
Chelsea v FC Noble Hurricanes, Edithvale Recreation Reserve
Springvale City v Baxter, Ross Reserve
Saturday, 26 April, 3pm
Collingwood City v Mornington, Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Peninsula Strikers v Bentleigh Utd Cobras, Centenary Park
Skye Utd v St Kilda, Skye Recreation Reserve
Somerville Eagles v Mentone, Westernport Secondary College
Sandown Lions v Frankston Pines, Ross Reserve
Aspendale v Endeavour Hills Fire, Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground
Mount Eliza v Mount Martha, Emil Madsen Reserve
Seaford Utd v Keysborough, North Seaford Reserve
Saturday, 26 April, 6pm
Rosebud v Monash University, Olympic Park
Saturday, 26 April, 6.30pm
FC Melbourne v Langwarrin, Kevin Bartlett Reserve
