SOCCER
FOUR games remain for Mornington to cling onto second spot in State 1 South-East and earn a play-off with its State 1 North-West counterpart for the right to play in VPL2 next season.
It has been a decades-long saga for the Seagulls as the road to compete at an elite level has proven to be a heartbreaking journey.
Mornington’s first tilt at promotion from State 1 came in 2014 when the Seagulls finished second to Eastern Lions and only the champions were promoted.
For the next two seasons the then NPL became a closed shop with no promotion or relegation as Football Victoria gave its elite clubs an opportunity to consolidate their status.
Fate had dealt Mornington a hammer blow for the local club won championships in 2015 and 2016.
In 2017 FV returned to promoting the champion teams from State 1 South-East and North-West and Mornington finished second to local rival Langwarrin just one point behind with a superior goal difference.
Mornington finished third in 2018 and fifth in 2019 then came the pandemic-ravaged seasons of 2020 and 2021.
Ironically Mornington played 13 games in 2021 and when FV pulled the plug on all competitions that season the Seagulls sat on top of their league.
For the past four seasons Mornington has finished fourth, third, seventh and third.
Last week Mornington played two of three catch-up games the first against Collingwood City on Tuesday at Knox Regional Football Centre then it played Banyule City on Saturday at Centenary Park due to the continuing upgrade at its Dallas Brooks Park headquarters.
Mornington turned on a dominant display against Collingwood and was good value for its 2-0 victory.
The Seagulls got off to a flyer with Shaun Kenny opening the scoring in the 11th minute.
Collingwood cleared from a corner but the ball fell invitingly for Kenny who rifled a stunning strike into the top corner.
Buoyed by the opener Mornington took control and created a string of chances with the pressure paying off in the 42nd minute.
Kieran Dover gained possession on the edge of the penalty area calmly placing his finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
Collingwood City remained competitive and tested the Mornington defence with a handful of long-range efforts but the visitors controlled possession and territory for much of the opening 45 minutes.
The second half followed a similar pattern and a combination of missed opportunities and determined defending from Collingwood kept the scoreline intact.
To its credit Collingwood refused to give in and pushed hard in the closing stages.
Its best opportunity came in the dying moments but Seagulls’ keeper Kane Runge produced a superb point-blank save to preserve his clean sheet and ensure Mornington returned home with all three points.
On Saturday in front of a bumper crowd Mornington drew 1-1 with Banyule City but played the entire second half with 10 men after midfielder Rhys Craigie was cautioned for a second time just before half-time.
Banyule started brightly and put Mornington under early pressure but it was the home side that struck first with a moment of individual brilliance in the eighth minute.
A superb move from the back saw Dover clip a ball forward into the path of James Kelly who took one touch before smashing a stunning finish into the net with his weaker foot.
Banyule continued to threaten on the break and created several opportunities and Mornington had Runge to thank for its half-time lead when he pulled off a superb save to keep his side in front.
Just before the interval Craigie was sent off and momentum was decidedly in Banyule’s favour and two minutes into the second half the visitors struck.
Evan Christodoulou’s toe-poked finish from the edge of the area left Mornington in a precarious position.
But the Seagulls showed tremendous character with some outstanding blocks and committed defending as they worked tirelessly to protect a point.
Lachie Candy was introduced and immediately provided an attacking outlet on the break creating chances and causing problems for the Banyule defence.
He came agonisingly close to winning it for Mornington late on when hitting the post in the final minutes.
After the match Mornington gaffer Adam Jamieson conceded that Banyule had been the better side.
“I thought we played quite poorly when we had 11 players and we looked very leggy after playing on the Tuesday,” he said.
“Having said that I thought the boys worked their butts off in the second half and to get a point with the 10 men was enormous in fact we had a couple of chances to pinch it at the end.”
Mornington’s remaining games are against Old Scotch (H), Hampton East Brighton (H), South Springvale (A) and Doveton (A).
Both home matches will be played at Civic Reserve.
The last three games will be played within seven days and Jamieson is likely to be forced into rotating his starting 11.
“It’s a massive ask but it’s within our capabilities,” he said.
“We probably have to win all four games.”
Currently Mornington is in second spot three points clear of Beaumaris and Banyule with Boroondara Eagles a further point behind.
The Seagulls have a vastly superior goal difference compared to the chasing pack and this may prove decisive as the State 1 season draws to an exciting climax.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
Friday 14 August, 8.30pm
Collingwood City v Skye Utd, Kevin Bartlett Reserve
Lilydale Montrose Utd v Aspendale, Keith Hume Fraser Reserve
Cleeland Utd v Mount Martha, Thomas P Carroll Reserve
Saturday 15 August, 3pm
Mornington v Old Scotch, Civic Reserve
Peninsula Strikers v Chisholm Utd, Centenary Park
Monash University v Baxter, Monash University Playing Fields
Somerville Eagles v Mount Waverley City, Westernport Athletics Track
Templestowe Wolves v Seaford Utd, Donvale Reserve
Mentone v Mount Eliza, Mentone Grammar Playing Fields
Saturday 15 August, 6pm
Rosebud v Riversdale, Olympic Park
Frankston Pines v Brighton, Monterey Reserve
Sunday 16 August, 2pm
Western Utd v Langwarrin, Ironbark Fields
Chelsea BYE
