SOCCER

HOLDER Somerville retained the Eagles Cup after a 2-2 draw with Baxter at Baxter Park on Saturday.

The charity day has become an integral part of derby clashes between these local rivals and last weekend’s contest didn’t disappoint.

Baxter was forced to dig deep when staring at a 2-0 deficit after 15 minutes.

The home side struggled to defend set pieces and the left boot of Somerville’s Adrian Pace, a former Baxter player, was a constant threat whenever his corners were swung into the back post.

The visitors took three minutes to hit the front when Connor Carson was gifted a free header from a Pace corner and gladly accepted.

Baxter was struggling in midfield and was forced onto the back foot for much of the early exchanges.

When Somerville’s Gil Ribeiro broke through in the 15th minute and picked his spot before striking the ball into the far corner Baxter looked doomed.

But this match took a dramatic twist in the 35th minute.

It wasn’t merely game on when Nat Daher’s shot made it 2-1.

That goal changed the momentum of the clash and two minutes later it was 2-2 thanks to one of the best goals seen at Baxter Park this season.

Somerville should have done better when trying to clear from a set piece.

Baxter’s tall central defender Sunday Kim was quick-thinking enough to backheel the ball to Daher on the right of the area and his cutback was synced with a Charlie O’Connell diagonal run to the near post.

O’Connell flicked the ball into goal first time with the inside of his right foot to complete one of the goals of the season.

Baxter started the second half the way it finished the first and continued to pressure Somerville but it couldn’t break down it’s opponent’s stubborn resistance.

In NPL2 Langwarrin struck late for a second successive week when it drew 1-1 away from home against league leader North Geelong on Saturday.

The home side took the lead in the 30th minute when Nelson Salvatore was put through and beat the advancing Langy keeper Fraser Maclaren.

The equaliser came from the spot in the 94th minute after North Geelong defender Matthew Stosic tripped Tom Youngs inside the area.

Kieran Dover converted.

In State 1 Mornington’s home game against Casey Comets was called off due to ongoing problems with the Dallas Brooks pitch.

The club posted a statement on its facebook account:

“Unfortunately the senior men’s game has been called off for a second week in a row due to the state of the senior ground.

“We will try and speak with the local council this week and come up with some resolutions for the remainder of the season as the main ground is in the worst shape it has been (in) for many years.”

Langwarrin has offered to host Mornington’s catch-up fixtures.

In State 2 Peninsula Strikers maintained their title push with a 2-1 home win over Brandon Park on Saturday night.

Abe Kuol put the home side in front from close range just nine minutes in following a deflected shot from Cooper Andrews.

Brandon Park equalised in the 65th minute direct from a corner.

Strikers keeper Ben Caballero was pushed into the goals but no foul was given so the goal stood.

The winner came in the 78th minute following an inviting Cal Bradbury through ball which found substitute Jai Power in a one-on-one with Brandon Park keeper Christian Morales and Power coolly slotted the ball into the bottom far corner.

Skye United thumped cellar dweller Monbulk 5-0 at Skye Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

Skye kicked off proceedings 10 minutes in when Caleb Nicholes pounced on a loose ball in the box and finished well.

Monbulk’s Thomas Wilkinson picked up two yellows in six minutes and was sent off in the 33rd minute.

Alex Van Heerwarden doubled the hosts’ lead in the 35th minute when he headed home at the back post from Mark O’Connor’s corner and three minutes later it was 3-0 after Billy Painting crossed to find Nicholes’ head.

Skye waited till the 70th minute to add to the scoreline when substitute Mitch Blake headed onto the crossbar and Daniel Attard tapped in on the line.

Blake got his name on the scoresheet when he combined with fellow substitute Ryan Mravljak to complete the rout in the 88th minute.

In State 3 table-topping Frankston Pines won its third straight away fixture coming from behind to beat Monash Uni 3-2 last weekend.

Down 1-0 at half-time Aaran Currie levelled from the penalty spot in the 58th minute and substitute Dylan Waugh scored a stunning volley on the turn after chesting down a Jordan Avraham throw-in to put Pines 2-1 up in the 70th minute.

Monash hit back in the 82nd minute but Christian Malgioglio skipped past a sliding challenge on the left in injury time then whipped over a pinpoint far-post cross and Sava Baledrokadroka headed home the winner.

In State 5 Mount Martha and Rosebud still prop up the ladder after large losses last weekend.

Despite having a player sent off after just 19 minutes, Casey Panthers overran Mount Martha 4-1 at Civic Reserve on Saturday.

Mount Martha’s top scorer Ethan Sanderson was on target once more.

Rosebud lost 6-1 away to promotion challenger Barton United.

Injuries and illness meant that the local club could only name 13 players on its teamsheet and was done and dusted by half-time when staring at a 5-1 scoreline.

Cory Osorio scored for Rosebud.

First published in the Mornington News – 21 June 2022