Author: Craig MacKenzie

Soccer ROSEBUD remains on top of the State 5 South ladder after a stirring 3-1 away win over Aspendale on Saturday. It didn’t take long for Nathan Yole’s threat to emerge after he got clear in the 10th minute only to hammer a shot against the Aspendale crossbar.In the 22nd minute Rosebud went 1-0 up after a slick spin by Yole off a defender before squaring the ball for Davis Markulin to tap in from point-blank range. Aspendale captain Matthew Bruce had a great chance in the 37th minute when he ran onto a fine through ball only to be…

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SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines’ gun recruit Ardi Ahmeti has left the Monterey Reserve outfit and refuses to play under senior coach Donn Delaney. It’s a bodyblow for Pines who went down 2-0 at home to Dandenong South on Friday night.Pines have now started the season with consecutive home defeats and have lost their top striker and one of State 3 South-East’s finest players.Ahmeti has an impressive NPL background at both junior and senior levels and has played overseas.COVID prompted his return to Australia where he had spells at Eastern Lions, Dandenong City and North Sunshine Eagles. The 23-year-old took time off…

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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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