Author: Craig MacKenzie

Soccer SKYE United’s 2-1 home win over St Kilda on Saturday was its fourth success in five games and lifted it into second spot in State 2 South-East. The local side’s start to the season is remarkable given the tumultuous pre-season overseen by head coach Phil McGuinness who had to rebuild his squad after losing many experienced player. McGuinness methodically sifted through a large group of triallists by playing more pre-season friendlies than any other side on the peninsula and the outcome so far has been stunning. “It’s almost a new squad with a lot of young lads in there…

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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…

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SOCCER JAMES Stinson’s five-goal haul underpinned Chelsea’s 9-1 mauling of Frankston Pines at Monterey Reserve on Saturday. The result leaves these sides at different ends of the State 4 South ladder with Gus Macleod’s Chelsea flying high while Pines are last with no respite in sight. Pines remain the only local side to have played at the highest level in Victoria but right now its senior men’s program is in disarray and doubts have surfaced about the club seeing out the 2025 season.But on Sunday president Liz Diaz hit back at the critics. “We had a chat with all players…

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SOCCER CHELSEA’S winning start to its State 4 league campaign continued with a 3-0 derby win over Baxter at Baxter Park on Saturday. The result leaves Gus Macleod’s men on top of the league with three straight victories. It took just three minutes for Chelsea to find a way through the Baxter defence.A long free-kick from Adam Dunsford wasn’t properly cleared and from just outside the area Dylan Scott’s sweetly struck shot gave Baxter keeper Suliman Fazel no chance. Goal ace James Stinson seemed certain to put the visitors further ahead in the 25th minute when he rounded Fazel and…

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SOCCER SKYE United made its best start to a league season since 2017 with a gutsy 2-1 away win against Noble Park United on Friday night. The locals have won their opening two games away from home and don’t play their first home match until their round 4 clash with Casey Comets. Skye went behind in the 18th minute when Shane Tagliaferro’s strike from the edge of the box found the bottom corner. However the visitors hit back 10 minutes later when Mitch Blake broke free and squared a ball for Tapiwa Kufakurowa to stab home. The second half was…

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