AROUND THE GROUNDS
CORIO v MILL PARK (postponed)
CORIO’S State League 2 clash with Mill Park at Findon Reserve was called off before a ball was kicked after match officials deemed the pitch unplayable. The game will be played in the next catch-up round, scheduled for August 10. Despite not playing on Saturday, Corio remains in second spot, but has slipped four points away from frontrunner Hoppers Crossing, who enjoyed a convincing 3-0 win over Moreland United at home.
SURF COAST DEF LAVERTON FC 4-1
SURF Coast came away from Laverton Park Reserve with a convincing 4-1 victory over Laverton FC to assume top spot on the State League 4 standings after the previous table-topper Altona North had its game in Gisborne called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Teen superstar Mylton Bailey scored the opener after just four minutes before the home side equalised shortly afterwards. Bailey was on hand to provide the visitors with the lead on 20 minutes — his 16th goal of a stellar season so far — which is how the first half ended. Five minutes following the resumption of play in the second half, Ryan Boardman made it 3-1 before Matt Linney put the icing on the cake with his 11th goal of the season in the 70th minute. The Coasters have a one-point lead at the top of the table, with Altona North having a game in hand.
BELL PARK DEF NORTH MELB ATHLETIC 4-3
BELL Park came away from Flemington Road Oval with a valuable 4-3 win over North Melbourne Athletic, with four individual goalscorers providing new coach Michael Spasevski with a dream start to his stint at the helm of the State 4 team following the departure of Mick Svaljek during the week. Andrew Longo, Zachary Carter, Adam Milenkovski and Dom Versace all scored singles for the triumphant All Whites, who remain in outright fourth spot on the table.
GOLDEN PLAINS v TRUGANINA HORNETS (postponed)
GOLDEN Plains’ clash at home against Truganina Hornets was postponed prior to Saturday night with the home side having a significant number of players unavailable due to an interstate religious/ cultural event. The game will be rescheduled for the August 10 catch-up round.
BARWON DEF MAIDSTONE UNITED 5-1
BARWON returned to its winning ways in State League 5 with a 5-1 thrashing of Maidstone United in a rainaffected fixture at Scovell Reserve on Saturday. According to Barwon coach Dale Harris, the best way to describe the game was “horrible weather and clinical finishing“by the visiting Barwon outfit. Sean Mahon continued his goalscoring form, netting a brace to bring his season’s tally to 11 goals. His younger brother Christian also got in on the action, hitting the back of the net to make it six goals for the season. Ben Houston, meanwhile, scored a brace to open his account with his new team since crossing from Lara United in the off season. Barwon remains within one point of league leader Barnestoneworth United.
LARA UNITED LOST 4-2 TO BARNESTONEWORTH UTD
LARA United fought hard against State League 5 tabletopper Barnestowneworth United at JT Gray Reserve, but couldn’t come home with the goods, eventually going down 4-2 in a spirited contest. Aaron Markham and Joe Lawrence both scored for the visitors, who also had Jordan Robertson sent off in the second half. “I couldn’t ask more from the team. This side had only six goals scored against them all season and to breach them twice today was pleasing. A win is not far away,” Lara United coach John Karounos said after the game. The Navy Blues remain entrenched in third last spot on the ladder.
LARA UNITED LOST 1-0 TO MARIBYRNONG SWIFTS SILVERS
A LATE goal was enough to deny Lara United a point yesterday. Depleted by injuries again, United looked on course to secure a crucial point before Maribyrnong struck with eight minutes left.