SOCCER RELEGATION, retirements and a remarkable comeback made for a roller-coaster final round of the 2024 State League season. There also was a significant personal milestone in the much-lauded career of Dave Greening when the doyen of goalscorers won his 10th league Golden Boot award. Add to that a change of coach at a local State 5 club and there was no shortage of news to emerge from the season’s swansong.Frankston Pines succumbed to a first-half goal from Oscar Mariner-Stone losing 1-0 away to Elwood City on Saturday and losing their State 3 South-East status in the process. Pines have…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER ROSEBUD won the State 5 South championship last weekend while Frankston Pines took a giant step towards avoiding relegation from State 3 South-East. It’s Rosebud’s first senior men’s title under the state federation banner and it was achieved with a 4-1 away win over Pakenham United in difficult conditions on Saturday. Rosebud led after 12 minutes when Jacob Bigg bent the ball perfectly into the path of top scorer Dave Greening and he had little trouble in beating advancing Pakenham keeper Christopher Van Dam. Three minutes later it was 2-0 when Barney Johnson set up Andy Jerez who finished…
SOCCER ROSEBUD will play in State 4 South next season after winning promotion from State 5 last weekend. Stuart Johnston’s men hammered bottom side Cleeland United 13-0 at Olympic Park with goal machine Dave Greening hitting the target nine times.The veteran striker’s remarkable feat was highlighted by a seven-goal first half in one of the great 45-minute hauls in local senior football. Rosebud led 9-0 at half-time with Jacob Bigg and a Cleeland own goal adding to the scoreline. The ’Buds strolled through the second-half with two more Greening goals while Ben Symonds and Jacob Markulin also got in on…
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…
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…