Author: Craig MacKenzie

SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines left online betting agencies reeling with a stunning 4-1 demolition of Epping City in their fourth round FFA Cup tie last Thursday night. Bet 365 had a Pines’ win at $4.50 fixed odds on the morning of the clash between State 2 visitor Epping City and its State 3 host at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve. Those odds were snapped up by punters and tumbled throughout the day with Pines eventually starting a firm odds-on favourite. At one stage rival online agency Sportsbet was forced to suspend betting on a Pines’ win. Alex Roberts sent bookmakers scurrying for…

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SOCCER TEENAGE midfield sensation Ethan Goulding marked his senior debut with a goal in Mornington’s 5-0 rout of Warragul United last weekend. The 16-year-old former Melbourne City junior scored in the 41st minute to give the visitors to Warragul’s Baxter Park a 3-0 half-time lead. Josh Hine opened the scoring in the third minute following a corner which was headed on by Josh Heaton and Hine was at the far post to tuck it away. Milos Lujic increased the lead in the 39th minute after getting on the end of a Hine shot and Ethan Goulding smashed home the third…

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SOCCER AN OUTSTANDING defensive display from Langwarrin underpinned its spirited 2-1 win over Manningham United Blues in their NPL2 clash at Lawton Park on Saturday. The home team had just gone 2-0 up in the first half when left back Jaiden Madafferi was sent off in controversial circumstances. Langy was in rampant mood early on and within three minutes Tom Youngs had sent Sammy Orritt clear on the left. Orritt’s composed finish gave advancing Manningham keeper Stefan Taleski no chance. Straight from the restart Langy keeper Fraser Maclaren was forced to spread himself and block Franc Carafa’s attempt with a…

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SOCCER LANGWARRIN, Mornington, Peninsula Strikers and Frankston Pines are the only local clubs remaining in the 2021 FFA Cup after last Saturday’s matches. Langwarrin had to rely on a Wayne Wallace header in extra time to see off the threat of Brighton at Lawton Park after scores were tied at 1-1 at the end of normal time. Sammy Orritt had scored for Langy in the first half. Last week Langwarrin announced the capture of Shayan Alinejad from Dandenong City. The 31-year-old former Melbourne Knights, Oakleigh Cannons and Bulleen player has been on the radar of Langy head coach Scott Miller…

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SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines overcame the spirited resistance of fellow State 3 outfit Hampton East Brighton in a riveting FFA Cup tie on Saturday. This was a contest from go to whoa and although the final whistle signalled a 2-0 win for Pines their opponents left no-one in doubt about their promotion credentials. In just over 90 minutes a rivalry was born and Hampton East Brighton represents a clear threat to the lofty ambitions of the men from Monterey. Had Pines not prevailed there would have been much discussion around the contest’s most controversial moment. In the 15th minute Pines’ star…

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