Soccer
ALEX Van Heerwarden’s transfer deadline-day return to Skye United played a crucial role in Friday night’s 2-1 win over near neighbours Peninsula Strikers.
There was much to play for as both sides are locked in a fierce promotion tussle with St Kilda and Casey Comets.
The in-form Strikers dominated the first half against Skye, whose keeper Steve Hadjikakou had a blinder, making superb saves to deny Campbell Steedman and Wayne Gordon.
Strikers broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Steedman pulled the ball back for Cooper Andrews, who side-footed home.
Later in the half, Skye nearly equalised against the run of play when Mitch Blake’s header rattled the post.
Strikers continued their profligacy in front of goal in the second half and paid dearly when Marcus Collier lashed home a loose ball in the box to make it 1-1 in the 63rd minute.
Eight minutes later, two substitutes combined for the winning goal.
Shameit Sharma’s cross was met by the head of big Van Heerwarden and it was 2-1.
Skye held on for a crucial three points and with four games left, we look certain to have an exciting finish to the State 2 season.
In VPL1 news, Langwarrin lost 3-1 to FC Melbourne Srbija at Lawton Park on Saturday.
Langwarrin dominated the early stages of this clash, but it was the away team that broke the deadlock in the 10th minute.
A Cameron Davies near-post header from a Tom Lakic free-kick rolled past the despairing low dive from Langy keeper James Burgess.
Melbourne Srbija blew a great chance to increase the margin in the 15th minute, but Emidio Rossi couldn’t convert from close range.
Burgess was forced off at half-time due to a groin injury and replaced by Branten Kindler, but the young custodian was helpless to stop Marko Basic making it 2-0 in the 55th minute.
Basic started and finished the move, getting forward from midfield then playing the ball wide to the right before swivelling and striking the return with precision and power, sending a low shot from just outside the area into the far corner of the Langy goal.
Langwarrin flirted with the notion of an unlikely comeback when Archie Macphee tucked away his shot in the 83rd minute, but home team hopes ended two minutes later.
Ryan Brown’s superb crossfield ball from the right was set up for Rossi, who neatly dinked it over the head of the advancing Kindler — and that was that.
In State 1 news, Mornington handed Hampton East Brighton a comprehensive home defeat, running out a 4-0 victor at Dendy Park on Saturday.
Kieren Dover’s recent goalfest continued.
He opened the scoring in the 12th minute from a Ziggy Razuki cutback and doubled the margin 10 minutes later after playing a one-two with James Kelly, then rounding a defender and hammering the ball home off the crossbar.
Shortly after, Kelly added his name to the scoresheet when heading in a lovely flighted ball from Dylan Thomas.
It was 3-0 at half-time and game over.
The final goal came in the 93rd minute when Razuki played in substitute Jacob Brito, who opened his scoring account for the Seagulls.
One of the turnarounds in Mornington’s recent fortunes has been the signing of Matt Hennessey, who has been a rock at the back.
And Dover’s goals have now propelled him to the top of the league’s scorers’ list.
In State 4 news, Chelsea could have blown its promotion chances last Friday night, losing 1-0 at home to league leader Endeavour United.
Gus Macleod’s men found the visitors difficult to break down and chances were few.
It looked as though set pieces were Chelsea’s best avenue to goal, especially from corners, but Endeavour stood tall and keeper Matt Halliwell’s handling was sound.
The decisive moment in this clash came in the 27th minute, and Endeavour captain Bonel Obradovic was the man on target.
There was a stalemate at Baxter Park on Saturday as the home team and FC Noble Hurricanes had to settle for a scoreless draw.
Baxter missed a lot of chances to maintain momentum gathered in recent weeks.
Hurricanes’ Mohammad Yaqoobi was sent off in the 73rd minute following a second caution, but Baxter couldn’t break the visitors’ resistance.
Rosebud had a 4-2 away win over Lyndale United, and Somerville Eagles won 2-0 at home against Frankston Pines.
Rosebud’s win was highlighted by a contender for goal of the season from goalkeeper Colin McCormack.
He took a free-kick in the 22nd minute from just inside the attacking half and thumped the ball into the top far corner of goal.
The talented shot-stopper had already hit the bar three times this season from free-kicks.
But Lyndale equalised against the run of play and it was 1-1 at the interval.
Seven minutes into the second half, the visitors were back in front when Connor Wharton was brought down after a driving run into the box.
Barney Johnson had no trouble converting.
Shortly after, Joe Brown motored down the left, then cut in, beating two defenders before smashing the ball past Lyndale keeper Michael Napolitano to make it 3-1.
But Rosebud’s defensive frailties surfaced once more when the visitors made a hash of clearing from a corner and suddenly it was 3-2.
Almost on the final whistle, an excellent dummy from Mark O’Connor let the ball run to Johnson outside the box and he hit a fine shot that took a slight deflection off the onrushing defender and into the top corner.
Somerville relied on talisman Marcus Anastasiou, who opened the scoring in the first half when he finished from a Joe Simmons cross.
The home side went further ahead before half-time with Jack Gorbert’s header from an Alessio Izzo corner.
In State 5, Seaford United’s hopes of snatching a second-placed finish from the hands of Mount Eliza are slim despite Seaford’s 4-2 away win and Mount Eliza’s 2-2 draw last weekend.
Just four points separate the two local sides, and much is at stake with a top-two finish guaranteeing State 5 status as part of the major league restructure taking place in the off-season.
Seaford was 3-0 up before Bunyip hit back on Saturday, but it was too little too late for the home side.
Seaford’s scorers were Zain Ahmad (2), Backy Barakzoi and Luke Murray.
Mount Eliza had to settle for a point away to Casey Panthers on Saturday in a thrilling come-from-behind 2-2 draw.
All the goals came in the second half, and the visitors stunned their host in the last few minutes.
Casey led 2-0 with goals from a deflected free-kick by Yaseen Laghmane and a Lucas Whiteside shot from inside the box.
But Gerry Rafferty’s men hit back from the penalty spot in the 89th minute with Michael Wright converting.
And Wright was on hand four minutes later when a Cooper Tossavainen header struck the post and Wright headed in the rebound.
Aspendale was thumped 7-2 by champion elect Fortuna 60 last weekend, while Mount Martha lost 2-0 away to Pakenham United.
James Macnab and Kailan Smith scored for Aspendale.
Next weekend is a catch-up round throughout the leagues.
No local clubs are in action.
