United overcome feisty Mazenod
by Eric Cantona Warragul United overcame a feisty Mazenod Football Club on the weekend after going a goal down early in the game.
The away side snatched two late goals in quick succession to stun Mazenod and secure three vital points.
United now sit squarely mid-table after a run of recent unfortunate losses.
United entered the game fielding a slightly altered line up to that of last week, with the omission of Robbie Stephen through suspension and the addition of newcomer Xavier Nardone after his transfer from NPL club Bulleen.
Vice-captain Ash Ross also returned for his first start since round two after recovering from a knee injury.
Coach Joe Gauci started the game with a four-four-two formation, adding an extra man in a diamond midfield and leaving two front runners Paul Kuol and Sammy Gatpan in more narrow attacking roles.
Nardone would start in central midfield alongside Steve Maselli. Bryson Tanti remained at the point, whilst the reinvented Rory Wagner continued his good reign of form in defensive midfield.
Warragul’s backline consisted of Oscar Sceney and Jimmy Mills in the wide positions with Matt Gauci and Ash Ross marshalling the centre.
Warragul’s first half was not great and on a narrower park struggled to settle in.
Chances fell to Kuol and Gatpan, but both shots missed the target. It didn’t take long for Mazenod to score. A neat dash and cross from their right winger found a marked player in the middle of the box. His good first touch allowed him to wrap his foot sweetly around the ball, curling it into the corner of the net to give his side the lead.
United needed a wakeup call and they came alive in the second half. Mazenod had some handy players and were a good outfit.
However, this game was won by shear guts and determination and Warragul were able to show more than their opponents.
Hearts were in mouths as Mazenod poked home a close-range effort only to see the goal cancelled out due to an offside flag.
United broke immediately and Steve Maselli launched a long bomb forward to an advancing Xavier Nardone.
After a favourable bounce between two defenders, Nardone was able to stretch out a leg and lift the ball over the keeper to find the net and score on his Warragul debut.
It was 1-1 and United wanted more. A draw was not enough.
Coach Gauci pushed big Rory Wagner up front alongside Paul Kuol and the newly introduced Oscar Sheehan. This move would bear fruit as it was Wagner who firstly won the corner and then rose to head home the winner from the corner kick.
Rory was best on the ground and to score the decisive goal and snatch the points was sweet reward for his efforts.
The game turned sour after Steve Maselli was carried from the ground with a suspected rupture to his ACL. He has had a rotten injury run and has recovered from three previous reconstructions.
Riley Dastey and Daniel Edey entered the game and contributed well as United looked to defend their valuable lead.
Warragul would see off Mazenod in the end and hold out for a vital win.
The best players were Rory Wagner who was easily the best on ground and scorer of the winner.
Oscar Sceney was also important. He was tenacious in defence and a real handful going forward.
Liam Andersen had another solid consistent performance with a string of brilliant saves.