SOCCER RHYS Craigie could be the last piece of the promotion jigsaw put together by Mornington gaffer Adam Jamieson. The 24-year-old Scottish midfielder arrived in Melbourne just over a week ago for his second stint in State 1. Edinburgh-born Craigie was picked up by Hearts when he was just nine-years-old and was involved with the Jambos until he was 18. “I played one year full-time at Hearts then they released me and I signed with Stenhousemuir,” Craigie said. In 2019 he was on holiday in Melbourne when invited to Beaumaris for a two-week trial. He signed with Mornington’s State 1…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER SEAFORD United players walked off Edithvale Recreation Reserve pleased with the 3-2 away win that kept their promotion hopes alive in State 4 South. It’s Friday 30 July, 2021 and no-one has the slightest inkling that this is Seaford’s last appearance in State League ranks for some time. Perhaps forever. Peter Schwellinger was in his first full season as senior coach and along with assistant Andy Lancaster had embedded belief and structure in the squad. When COVID-19 forced Football Victoria to call a halt to the league Seaford was third, one point behind second-placed Endeavour United after 12 games.…
SOCCER THE first qualifying round of the 2022 Australia Cup was held last weekend and of the six local clubs in action just two survived this Victorian section of the national competition. The rebranded knockout tournament replaces the FFA Cup and last weekend’s opening involved local State 4 and State 5 clubs Baxter, Chelsea, Somerville Eagles, Rosebud, Aspendale Stingrays and Mount Martha. Seaford United was involved in the Cup draw but forfeited its away clash with Westside Strikers Caroline Springs FC. Peninsula Strikers, Skye United and Frankston Pines participate in the Cup next weekend but the draw had not been…
SOCCER LANGWARRIN has sealed the signing of attacking midfielder Keiran Dover from NPL heavyweight Bentleigh Greens. It’s a massive coup for the local club but its off-season splurge may not end there as another NPL star is considering joining Scott Miller’s men. The curtain falls on the NPL transfer window at 5pm on Thursday but already what surely is the strongest squad ever assembled at Lawton Park is preparing an assault on the NPL2 title and a historic place in Victoria’s elite club competition. Dover, 25, has reached the highest levels in Australian club soccer making his debut for Melbourne…
SOCCER THE Fijian tsunami surging through Frankston Pines continued unabated last week when the State 3 title contender announced the signing of 19-year-old Thomas Dunn from Navua FC. Pines currently have goalkeeper Aeseli Batikasa, defender Penni Tuigulagula, midfielder Savenaca Baledrokadroka and striker Tito Vodowaqa on their books while midfielder Jordan “Caka” Avraham has previously been selected in the Fijian under-23 national squad. While Baledrokadroka still is trialling at NPL3 outfit Doveton the local club expected Tuigulagula and Vodowaqa to train this week despite both players trialling with Springvale White Eagles recently. And the influx of Fijian stars doesn’t end there…