SOCCER LIAM Baxter and Tom Hawkins have left Frankston Pines and have joined Baxter. They are the first signings that new Baxter coach Stephen Fisher hopes will bring the State 4 outfit success next season. Scottish striker Baxter was on the books of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and a number of Highland League clubs before arriving here early in 2017 to play for Shepparton-based Goulburn Valley Suns. He switched to Langwarrin that same year and has also been on the books of Mornington, Casey Comets, Box Hill United, Doveton and Kingston City. Hawkins has previously played with Mornington and Peninsula Strikers.…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER SCOTT Miller and Trevor Johnston stole the coaching spotlight last week with Langwarrin and Frankston Pines respectively. Former Socceroos assistant Miller will line-up for a fifth straight season at Lawton Park while Pines wasted little time in filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor by announcing Johnston as his replacement. “We’ll go again,” a buoyant Miller said. “I really enjoy being there. “I enjoy my relationship with the 21s coaches Ben and Pooley while Greg (Kilner) has been like a mentor to me. “We’ve got a really strong, united group behind the team. “The club…
SOCCER NEWLY promoted State 2 outfit Frankston Pines is looking for a senior coach. The position became vacant last week when Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor formally resigned. “I told the club in written form that I won’t be seeking re-appointment next season,” Taylor said. “I’m physically and mentally washed out. “It’s partly my problem as well as I’m a ‘boots and all’ person and if I think something needs to be done and no-one will bloody do it then I do it myself. “I gave it my all and I reached the point where I had nothing more to give –…
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…
SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS and promotion are on the line for four local clubs come this weekend’s final round of the 2022 season. Frankston Pines are in touching distance of the State 3 South-East title having already secured promotion while State 1 local Mornington and State 2 neighbours Peninsula Strikers and Skye United remain in the promotion race. Pines face an away fixture against ninth-placed Ashburton on Saturday while Mornington has a mountain to climb away to title-chasing Beaumaris. Pines thrashed visitor Rowville Eagles 5-1 last weekend thanks to a Liam Baxter masterclass in off-the-ball movement and finishing. While Rowville’s best player,…