SOCCER THE curtain fell on the 2024 VPL1 season last weekend in front of a huge crowd at Lawton Park while the State League promotion and relegation battles continued to grab a large share of the spotlight.Preston Lions made Saturday’s long trip to the peninsula worthwhile as they clinched promotion to Victoria’s elite club competition with a 3-1 victory over Langwarrin. But the home side made its Macedonian-backed opponent fight every inch of the journey and the large travelling support was subdued in the 14th minute when Archie Macphee headed in the opener.Preston levelled in the 30th minute when a…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER HAYDEN Taylor is the new senior coach of Baxter after Saturday’s shock 5-4 loss to visitor Brighton. He replaces his father in a caretaker capacity following Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor’s dramatic resignation amid chaotic scenes during this State 4 South clash.Baxter went into this contest a clear favourite against a side which had won just two games and lost 14 but by the final whistle Brighton had earned another precious win and given itself a faint hope in the relegation battle. Contrast that with Baxter’s roller-coaster season and a dismal first-half display providing a backdrop for a head coach about…
SOCCER PENINSULA Strikers head coach Scott Morrison has called on Football Victoria to protect the integrity of State League competition. Morrison claims that the lack of alignment between the end of NPL and State League seasons is being abused by cashed-up clubs and making a mockery of promotion and relegation throughout the leagues.“Right now the NPL season has two games left while the State League season has five games left,” he said. “And amateur players at NPL clubs could still be registered with State League clubs up until last Friday. “Non-contracted NPL players with nothing to play for can be…
SOCCER SKYE United and Mornington won important games last weekend to keep the threat of relegation at arm’s length.Skye went into Friday night’s derby showdown with Peninsula Strikers a pronounced underdog given their respective places on the State 2 South-East ladder.Skye lost the bedrock of its senior squad during pre-season and has struggled to recover from the setback while Strikers have had their gaze firmly fixed on winning promotion since the start of the current campaignBut that gaze was diverted by two first-half goals for Skye and the visitors to Skye Recreation Reserve went into the break staring down the…
SOCCER CHELSEA blew a great chance to continue its promotion push when it couldn’t beat 10-man Baxter in Saturday’s feisty State 4 South derby at Edithvale Recreation Reserve.The 1-1 scoreline reflects the persistence and commitment of Baxter despite facing an uphill battle after Brodie McMinimee was cautioned twice for dissent in the 23rd minute and sent off.In dreadful weather conditions that washed out two other games featuring local sides it took until the 65th minute of this clash for the deadlock to be broken.Chelsea striker Piers Brelsford came out of retirement last week and couldn’t have timed his comeback any…