SOCCER SEAFORD United, Somerville Eagles and Mentone won their derby battles last weekend in a round of State League matches with some surprising outcomes. In a keenly contested clash at North Seaford Reserve the home side emerged a 2-0 victor over high-flying Aspendale thanks to second-half strikes from Andrew Packer and substitute Luke Murray. Aspendale came close in the first half when left winger Kailan Smith struck the far post only for the rebound to be cleared. The Seaford defence was excellent throughout and goalkeeper Hayden Hicks proved a formidable barrier. The goal that broke the deadlock came in the…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER RILEY Anderton treated onlookers to a volleying masterclass on Saturday as he single-handedly broke Berwick City’s resolve with a breathtaking four-goal display. The Peninsula Strikers ace was the catalyst for a second-half turnaround at Centenary Park that saw a 1-0 deficit transformed into a resounding and unexpected 5-1 win. Until the Kiwi first struck in the 55th minute Berwick was the better side and deserved its slender lead but Anderton levelled when he spun on a deflected cross and volleyed with his right foot into the roof of the net. Within minutes he demonstrated a deft touch at the…
SOCCER PENINSULA Strikers and Frankston Pines dipped into the transfer market last week with six players joining the State 2 rivals. Strikers signed forward Wayne “Buzzer” Gordon from NPL3 outfit Doveton, goalkeeper Faraz Zenoozi from Queensland side Souths United and defender and ex-Strikers player Deniz Karabadjak from Pines. “I wanted to sign ‘Buzzer’ during the off-season as his leadership and qualities on the pitch are still there,” Strikers’ gaffer Scott Morrison said. “Faraz is a great signing for us. “He goes about it in a professional manner and will challenge Ben (Caballero) and ‘Browny’ (Nathan Brown) for the number one…
SOCCER ANOINTED on Wednesday, took training on Thursday – the second coming of Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor to the task of head coach of Frankston Pines is still reverberating around local football circles. First-year senior coach Trevor Johnston resigned after Pines’ 4-0 home loss to Mooroolbark the previous weekend and had his resignation ratified early last week. Johnston’s stay lasted just five league games and failed to produce a win with Pines on the bottom of the State 2 South-East ladder when he quit. Pines turned to the man who had walked away from the job last year and later joined…
SOCCER A MAN-OF-THE-MATCH performance from Jamie Powell underpinned Mount Eliza’s 3-1 derby success against Mount Martha in their State 5 clash at Civic Reserve on Saturday. The visitors had planned to attack Mount Martha out wide and with Powell and Lachie Mitchell on song it worked a treat. Mount Eliza player-coach Bryce Ruthven went close with a free kick and midfielder Fraser Keon made a superb run only to force a corner in the early exchanges. Powell broke the deadlock in the 41st minute with an excellent run before taking on Mount Martha right back Dan Fernandes and unleashing a…