SOCCER LANGWARRIN defender Luke Burgess snatched a point for the local outfit with an injury-time equaliser against Moreland City at Campbell Reserve last Saturday. Moreland took the lead in this NPL2 clash in the 5th minute after a quick break down the right and a cutback was met first time at the near post by striker Apai Ukono whose shot was turned in almost on the line by Burgess for an own goal. Three minutes later Moreland fans were incensed when referee Perry Mur turned down penalty appeals after Alex Van Heerwarden poleaxed an opponent inside the penalty box. It…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER MELISSA Maizels is the new senior coach of Southern United. A fortnight after joining the struggling NPLW club the former Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory and Canberra United goalkeeper replaced Washington Castillo late last week. “I didn’t come here with the intention for this to happen but when this opportunity came I had to take it because it gives me the chance to effect as much change as possible and hopefully be part of the resurgence of Southern on the peninsula,” Maizels said. “I think Southern has suffered enough.” Administrative, coaching and player upheaval have plagued the club for the…
SOCCER PENINSULA Strikers are back on the promotion trail after a stunning 7-0 thrashing of Heatherton United at Centenary Park on Saturday. Heatherton had gone into this State 2 South-East contest with just one loss this season but a first-half hat-trick from the outstanding John Prescott had secured the points by half-time. Second half doubles from Josh Calle and Anton Vulic completed the whitewash. Strikers had lost three games heading into this clash and although they are just five points off the pace head coach Danny Verdun believes that there still is a lot of work ahead. “While we’re pleased…
SOCCER MELISSA Maizels made her debut for local NPLW outfit Southern United on Saturday. The top-flight goalkeeper is the biggest signing in the club’s short history having played for Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory before recently completing her second stint with Canberra United in the 2018/19 W-League. She turns 26 next month and offers both expertise and experience to one of the youngest playing groups in the elite competition. At Canberra she played alongside Scotland captain Rachel Corsie and Matilda Ellie Carpenter. Maizels was signed from local rival Bayside United late last week and given the exodus of players from…
SOCCER WHAT Jonathan Crook did to Upfield last week was night-time robbery. The big man from Matamata Swifts effected a string of remarkable saves to keep Skye’s nose in front and keep Upfield’s onslaught at bay in a pulsating FFA Cup tie. Try as it might Upfield could not find a way past Crook and Skye held on for a 1-0 win that clinched one of 32 Victorian spots remaining in the 2019 national competition. This clash had to be replayed after a floodlight failure in the 70th minute at Aston Fields in Craigieburn had forced an abandonment a week…