United stun Old Scotch
Gippsland United's seniors and reserves teams posted impressive wins over Old Scotch during week 11 matches at Baxter Park on Saturday.
Marking the halfway point of the State League 1 season, it was a statement day for United's playing group.
The senior team has now accumulated 19 points - only one less than its entire 2022 campaign.
Meanwhile, the reserves knocked off the team at the top of the table with a comprehensive performance.
After a tight affair in the first half, United's seniors ran away with the game, scoring three quick-fire goals in the second half to win 3-0.
United's sound defensive display brought them their second clean sheet of the season, and laid a great platform to go do the business at the other end.
United's persistence finally paid off, building up play down the righthand side through Mitchell Jones and Bryson Tanti. The ball was fed into the feet of Rory Wagner who unselfishly assisted Baley Row, the same combination that sealed the win away at Casey the previous week.
Row was occupying a dangerous position on the edge of Old Scotch's penalty area and chose to strike the ball first time with his right foot. The effort curled tellingly away from the keeper and into the left-hand side netting. This was Row's second goal in consecutive games.
To add the icing on the cake, Gippsland then scored another goal within minutes of taking the lead.
In a similar fashion, Jones maraudered down the right wing again, beating a couple players, then back-heeling the ball to Wagner. Gippsland's striker was in the almost identical position to Row when he scored the opener and Wagner's shot was of a similar nature too; first time, right foot and into the left hand side netting.
But why put up a 2-0 win when 3-0 is just that little bit sweeter?
The game became very stretched towards the end and this played into United's hands as they broke away for their third goal.
Ashley Ross placed the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake as he scored his second for the season.
Ross was at the heart of the move, linking up play as he'd done so all game. He then made a perfectly timed run in behind Old Scotch's defence and Wagner played him through.
Ross was one-on-one with the keeper and converted with composure, topping off a brilliant individual display.
United's seniors now jump up a place to sixth on the league table. Reserves
In the earlier kick off, United's reserves played an outstanding first half which would end up winning them the game, 3-1.
Old Scotch's reserves were undefeated and sitting pretty atop the table heading into the game.
After an early scare from an Old Scotch attempt that flashed just wide, United absolutely bossed proceedings. They were up for the occasion, winning their individual duals and pressing with great intensity.
This was the source of their first goal, as Daniel Edey pressed high and nicked the ball off one of Old Scotch's centrebacks. He was through on goal and finished with ease, firing United into an early lead.
Edey then assisted the second goal, floating the ball expertly to the back post from a free kick. The ball had an invitation attached and was asking to be put away. The grateful recipient was Solomon Nash, who peeled off the back of his defender and doubled Gippsland's lead with an accurate header.
Gippsland showed hunger for a third, and everyone was left stunned when it happened.
Jobie Heusmann, who is assisting for fun this season, crossed the ball diagonally to the right side of the box.
After spending countless games sidelined through injury, Oscar Sheehan conjured a moment of pure individual brilliance. It was his first start in weeks and he showed he hadn't lost his touch when he hit an audacious volley from an improbable angle.
Connecting with the ball whilst still in the air, the strike oozed class as he timed the shot perfectly.
Everyone, including the opposition was left in disbelief as the effort flew into the top left corner of the goal. Footage of the goal can be found on United's social media pages.
Gippsland almost made it four in the first half when Brodie Demagistris hit the woodwork and his effort trickled agonisingly past the goal line.
Old Scotch fought back in the second half, scoring a goal midway through to give them hopes of a comeback. However, it was purely a consolation, as three goals proved enough for United to became the first team to beat Old Scotch this season.
Gippsland's reserves are now on 21 points, placing them fifth on the table. The top five are separated by just five points, with Scotch left reeling but still top of the table.
With 11 games remaining, it's a five horse race for the reserve league title.
Similarly to the reserves, Gippsland's seniors only sit five points adrift of top spot. With half the season remaining, anything can happen.
On Saturday, United begin the second half of the season with their reverse fixture, away to Malvern.
It's a crucial game as Malvern sit above Gippsland in both seniors and reserves.
Two wins would help bridge this gap and make it three on the bounce in both divisions.