Author: Craig MacKenzie

SOCCER ROSEBUD took a giant step towards promotion from State 5 South with Saturday’s gritty 2-1 win over title rival Seaford United at North Seaford Reserve. Neither side was at full strength in this all-action affair but that took nothing away from a great spectacle in front of a large crowd.Seaford keeper Hayden Hicks left the senior squad the night before the game, Michael Nobbs and Nathan Meade were holidaying while Wisey Barakzoi and Sam Luxford were injured. For the first time in Logan Johnston’s short senior career the youngster joined experienced Paul Aitchison in a makeshift central defensive unit…

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Soccer BAXTER players and supporters were euphoric at the final whistle after witnessing one of the club’s greatest comebacks in Saturday’s State 4 showdown at Westernport. Each year local rivals Somerville Eagles and Baxter use their league fixtures to compete for the Eagles Cup which raises money for research into motor neurone disease.It’s a clash that rarely disappoints and last weekend diminutive Baxter winger Keegan Myatt stole the show with a 16-minute hat-trick that turned this contest on its head.With 10 minutes of normal time remaining Baxter was staring down the barrel. Goals from Somerville’s Tom Simmons, Howie Anderson and…

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SOCCER SKYE United pulled off the shock of the State 2 South-East season when it toppled ladder leader Hampton East Brighton 2-0 at Dendy Park on Saturday. Skye went in to this clash as a pronounced underdog against an unbeaten opponent boasting seven straight wins, five clean sheets and scoring the most goals in the league.In stark contrast Skye had the most losses and goals against in State 2 and was third-last on the table. But the locals were boosted last week by the much-needed return of defender Brett Heskins and head coach Phil McGuinness elected to go with a…

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SOCCER JAMES Stinson and Matthew Bruce lit up the State Leagues last weekend with four goals apiece. Stinson terrorised the Keysborough defence as Chelsea came away from Coomoora Reserve with a 7-0 win while Bruce did as he pleased in a wide attacking role as Aspendale crushed Cleeland United 13-0.Chelsea is the equal highest scorer in State 4 South (with ladder leader Mentone) and after eight rounds is just five goals away from equalling its 2023 season tally. Stinson is chasing the league’s Golden Boot award and Saturday’s haul takes him to 11 goals just one behind Hampton Park’s Naseem…

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SOCCER JOSH Heaton has left Mornington but his playing future is uncertain. The 27-year-old is one of the finest central defenders in State 1 and his impressive CV is bound to attract a number of suitors. Heaton joined Mornington in March 2020. He is from Preston in Lancashire and came through Preston North End’s academy before signing pro forms in July 2015. In June 2018 he was signed by Scottish Premiership side St Mirren from Darlington for £75,000.Heaton met with Mornington last week and told the club that he wanted to stop playing. President Matt Cameron and head coach Adam…

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