Soccer
Mount Eliza and Seaford United have two games left to try and hold on to their State 5 status.
The top two teams in their league will remain in State 5 under the pending league restructure and just one point separates these local rivals as the season draws to an enthralling climax.
Morwell-based Fortuna 60 won the league last weekend and although Mount Eliza holds the whip hand in second spot it is looking anxiously over its shoulder after losing 3-0 at home to Seaford on Saturday.
The visitors were the more clinical side and two goals in two minutes in the first half had Mount Eliza on the back foot.
Seaford captain Conor Mcfall whipped over a cross to the back post in the 33rd minute with Blake Hicks steaming in and he headed past home team keeper Luke Armao.
It was 2-0 in the 35th minute after a spectacular run down the right by Zain Ahmad whose low cross was tapped into a gaping net by Dylan Waugh.
Mount Eliza had a chance to get back into the game when awarded a penalty for a shirt pull but Seaford keeper Hayden Hicks was up to the task making a fine save.
Seaford was reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute when Backy Barakzoi was shown a second yellow card and Mount Eliza defender Riley Van Zanden was shown a straight red late in the match following a reckless challenge.
Mount Eliza pushed hard in the second half but couldn’t break down a resolute Seaford defence and the game was put to bed in the 81st minute after a Matt Davies strike deflected into the air and Luke Murray’s acrobatic header found the back of the net.
Mount Eliza’s last two games are away from home against Endeavour Hills Fire and Keysborough.
Seaford’s remaining fixtures are away to Aspendale and home to Cleeland United.
Paul Williams’ side will be confident of taking maximum points from teams condemned to a double drop into a new State 7 next season.
In the other State 5 game last weekend Aspendale went down 1-0 away to Cleeland United on Friday night due to Ollie Clark’s own goal in the second half.
In recent seasons Aspendale has been on an uphill trajectory finishing sixth in 2023 and third last year but is now certain to line-up in State 7 next year along with another local in Mount Martha.
Meanwhile the curtain fell on the VPL1 season on Sunday with Langwarrin signing off with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of visitors North Sunshine Eagles.
North Sunshine had much more to play for as Langy had already avoided relegation while its opponent had to win to give itself a chance at a promotion play-off spot.
Brad Blumenthal scored for the local side who finished the season in 10th spot.
In State 1 Mornington’s promotion push no longer is in its own hands after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bayside Argonauts at Dallas Brooks Park.
In the 62nd minute Bayside keeper Lewis Cotsopoulos dropped the ball under challenge from Matt Hennessey and Kieran Dover was on hand to tuck away from close range.
Eight minutes later the visitors responded through Oliver Chadwick when the home side didn’t deal with a corner.
Both teams struggled to deal with a poor pitch and in the final analysis a draw was a fair result.
In State 2 Peninsula Strikers got back to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 away win over Doncaster Rovers.
Strikers controlled this game for the most part against a Doncaster team that faced relegation with anything less than a win.
Strikers took the lead in the 38th minute after Jaiden Madafferi’s cross was cleared into the path of Stevie Elliott who rifled a half-volley into the roof of the net from 25 metres.
Three minutes later it was 2-0 after Matt Harrington played in Campbell Steedman who slotted into the bottom corner.
Strikers missed a golden chance to make it 3-0 after Steedman headed wide just after half-time and Doncaster clawed one back from a corner with 20 minutes to go.
But the home team’s hopes ended in injury time after Riley Anderton played through substitute Joel Bowen who hammered a left-foot volley over the keeper into the top corner.
Skye United kept the pressure on Strikers when it held on for an important 3-2 win on the weekend at home to Bentleigh United Cobras.
Skye took the lead after just six minutes when a long Marcus Collier throw caught the visitors napping and Elliott Craig motored down the wing and squared the ball to Varmah Mgoneh who tapped in from close range.
Skye dominated proceedings for the remainder of the half but couldn’t extend the lead.
In the 54th minute Mgoneh turned provider when his corner found the head of Daniel Attard to make it 2-0.
Just four minutes later the hosts were cruising when Mgoneh got his second as his free-kick sailed past the Cobras’ custodian and went in off the post.
But true to form Skye couldn’t coast to victory.
Skye’s Arash Sadegh saw red in the 69th minute after picking up a second yellow and the visitors made the home team pay.
Goals to Erik Lambropolous and Nicholas Tsamis made for a nervy last 15 minutes but the 10 men held on.
Skye has the opportunity to momentarily move into second spot on Thursday night when it hosts North Caulfield.
The big news in State 4 is Baxter climbing to sixth just two points behind fifth-placed Rosebud.
A top six finish will secure State 4 status in the looming league restructure.
Baxter’s 5-1 win over bottom team Frankston Pines last weekend combined with Somerville Eagles losing 2-1 away to champion elect Endeavour United allowed Billy Armour’s men to leapfrog their neighbour.
Saturday’s success for Baxter was spearheaded by Jai Power’s hat-trick with Keegan Myatt and substitute Nicholas Whelan also on target.
Shuki Sharifi scored for Pines.
Pines forfeited the reserves game at half-time as players were required for the senior matchday squad.
All the goals in Somerville’s loss were in the first half.
Endeavour United took an early lead but parity was restored when Alessio Izzo converted from the spot.
Joao Bosco Halle scored the winner right on half-time and has put Somerville in a precarious position as it tries to retain its league status.
Somerville hosts Baxter on Saturday in a season-defining derby that is sure to attract a good crowd to Westernport Secondary College.
Rosebud lost 2-0 to Chelsea on Saturday evening.
The home side had the best opportunities early with Barney Johnson and Connor Wharton having chances to put Rosebud ahead.
It took until the 32nd minute for Chelsea to break the deadlock with a goal of the season contender from Daniel Vella from outside the box.
Chelsea went further ahead three minutes later with Rosebud down to 10 men as Charlie Gunning was receiving treatment on the sideline.
An unfortunate own goal from Rosebud central defender Billy Painting gave the visitors a two-cushion they never relinquished.
NEXT WEEKEND
Thursday, 28 August, 8.30pm
Skye Utd v North Caulfield, Skye Recreation Reserve
Saturday, 30 August, 3pm
Mornington v Old Scotch, Dallas Brooks Park
Knox City v Peninsula Strikers, Egan Lee Reserve
Somerville Eagles v Baxter, Westernport Secondary College
Chelsea v Monash University, Edithvale Recreation Reserve
Rosebud v Sandown Lions, Olympic Park
Mentone v Frankston Pines, Mentone Grammar Playing Fields
Aspendale v Seaford Utd, Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground
Fortuna 60 v Mount Martha, Crinigan Road South Reserve
Endeavour Hills Fire v Mount Eliza, Power Reserve
