Author: Craig MacKenzie

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…

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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…

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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…

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SOCCER SOMERVILLE Eagles have secured significant grants from Mornington Peninsula Shire council. The promotion-chasing State 5 club understands that the council will spend $500,000 on clubrooms at Tyabb Central Reserve while also allocating $50,000 for a feasibility study which it hopes will identify a permanent home for the Eagles. “It’s not official yet but we understand that we’ve been granted the money which is great news for our club,” president Luke Mulder said. The Tyabb Cricket Club shares the reserve and will also benefit from a clubroom upgrade. The feasibility study will centre on Clarendon Reserve in Somerville and will…

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SOCCER MORNINGTON head coach Adam Jamieson expects Casey Comets midfielder Brodie Paterson to receive a lengthy ban after a violent contest at Dallas Brooks Park on Friday night. Comets came from behind to win this State 1 battle 2-1 and send the home side to a third consecutive defeat which casts major doubt over its stated ambition of winning promotion to the 2020 NPL. But it was the controversial finish to this clash which stole the limelight. The club video appears to show substitute Paterson pushing opponent Sam Catherine to the ground late in the match then falling on top…

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