Author: Craig MacKenzie

SOCCER LANGWARRIN and Skye United are the only two local clubs remaining in the 2024 Dockerty Cup after last week’s fourth preliminary round. Both Peninsula Strikers and Chelsea have been knocked out of the competition which doubles as Victoria’s qualification tournament for the Australia Cup.Skye’s fate will be known soon as it plays its round four tie against Dandenong Thunder on Wednesday 10 April.Langwarrin, Strikers and Chelsea all used their Cup ties to give full senior debuts to a host of young players.Langy defeated Doveton 3-1 at Lawton Park last Thursday night in a home tie for the Doves who…

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Soccer GUS Macleod has returned to senior coaching ranks in spectacular fashion after Chelsea’s stunning 8-0 thrashing of Brighton on Friday night. Edithvale Recreation Reserve was abuzz with high expectations before this State 4 season opener but no-one anticipated the demolition of the Dendy Park visitors that ensued.Chelsea was 2-0 up when Brighton’s Connor Karambinas was shown a straight red in the 40th minute. English striker James Stinson had opened the scoring after six minutes and a stunning free-kick from just outside the area by Elwood City recruit Daniel Lewis in the 33rd minute already had the visitors on the…

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SOCCER PROMOTION, relegation, consolidation – what does the State League season hold for your club?Frankston Pines and Chelsea get the opening round underway with home games this Friday night and a number of local clubs fancy their chances of making a major impact in their respective leagues in 2024.In State 1 it’s now customary to tout Mornington’s promotion possibilities and in State 2 Peninsula Strikers are expected to be in the title mix. Both clubs have strong squads and Strikers announced late last week that they have signed Jaiden Madafferi from Langwarrin.The other local State 2 side Skye United has…

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SOCCER FIVE-goal wins for Chelsea and Skye and a come-from-behind victory for Peninsula Strikers highlighted the third round of the Dockerty Cup. Chelsea eased past Mount Eliza 5-0, Skye thumped Fawkner 6-1 while Strikers beat Lalor United 2-1. At Edithvale Recreation Reserve last Thursday night Chelsea applied early pressure but had to wait until the 29th minute when Daniel Vella was fouled in the box. Referee Benji Batten pointed to the spot and Adam Bartosy converted.Two goals in the last five minutes of the half put the contest out of Mount Eliza’s reach.Teenager Christian Murray’s powerful strike in the 42nd…

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SOCCER SEAFORD United hopes that an influx of new players will bridge the gap between a top four finish and promotion.Paul Williams’ men narrowly missed out on reclaiming their State 4 status last season when they lost their State 5 promotion play-off 3-2 to Old Melburnians.The locals went into that contest without key players Cory Osorio (work commitments), Josh Vega (illness) and Sam Luxford (injured) and a penalty in the final minute of normal time proved their undoing.After the season Williams and assistant coach Steven Keenan assessed the outcome and agreed that fitness and depth needed to be addressed.“They were…

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