United seniors go down, win for unbeaten reserves
After a break for the Easter long weekend, Gippsland United's senior and reserve men's teams hit the road for their first away game of the 2024 Men's State League 1 season.
Off the back of two wins at home in matchweek one against Old Scotch Soccer Club, Gippsland had their sights set on making it two wins on the bounce, in seniors and reserves.
Their opponents were newly promoted Mazenod Football Club. After being relegated in 2022, Mazenod only spent one season in State League 2, finishing first with 45 points and winning promotion back to State League 1.
Two tight affairs took place, with both games ending in wins by a one goal margin.
Gippsland's senior men's side were unfortunately on the wrong end of their result, losing 1-0 to Mazenod.
The home side, coming off the back of a defeat to Eltham Redbacks in matchweek one, kick-started their campaign with this win.
It was Mazenod who controlled proceedings early on, as they had the lion's share of possession.
Gippsland maintained their shape well, soaking up this early pressure, restricting Mazenod to very few chances.
Gipppsland grew into the game, with some promising spells in possession, but similarly to their opponents, they too lacked end product.
The first period of play ended 0-0 which was reflective of the nip and tuck nature of the game so far.
But, the second half would see the pitch open up, as both teams had their moments.
A knee injury to striker Rory Wagner forced Gippsland to reshuffle their cards as under 18s player Levi Colantuono was subbed on at the interval.
Mazenod took the initiative again as their number nine, Patrick Ayoul Both, had two one-on-ones with goalkeeper Aiden Riley.
Gippsland's shot stopper rose to the occasion, pulling off some vital interventions to keep his side alive in the game.
But Mazenod would come again, as they finally broke the deadlock.
The only goal of the game came from a cross from the right touch line. It lofted high in the air after a big deflection off a Gippsland defender.
The ball just stayed in play and Eid Sarwari was first to react, judging its trajectory well to get the crucial touch that fired Mazenod into the lead.
Gippsland had to show character and did so by creating two big chances of their own. Both came from corners, delivered by set piece taker, Jobie Heusmann.
The first, a header from Thomas Ahmadzai as he leapt above everyone, to divert the ball on target.
His shot however was cleared off the line, a paramount intervention from a Mazenod perspective but an agonising outcome for Gippsland, as they came so close to equalising.
Heusmann then whipped another ball to the back post, not too long after Ahmadzai's chance.
This time it was substitute Mitch Jones that got on the end of the corner kick. He made great connection with the ball, striking a strong, side footed volley towards goal.
It had Mazenod's keeper beat, and everyone around the ground held their breath.
Jones' shot was goal bound and it looked like from the second it left his boot, it was destined to be the equaliser.
But much to the delight of the Mazenod home support, players and staff, one of their defenders made another heroic goal line clearance, heading the ball off the line and preventing a Gippsland leveler.
It was gripping action as the game certainly ended with some fireworks.
A late red card to Mazenod forward James Murdoch Gibbs saw the home side reduced to 10 players as Gibbs threw himself to the ground and received a second yellow card for simulation.
This was a glimmer of hope for Gippsland as they made one final push for an equaliser. But by this point time was of the essence, and Mazenod were able to hold on to their first three points of the season.
Reserves
In the earlier kick off, Gippsland United's reserves defeated Mazenod 1-2, making it two wins from two games this season. This was the same Mazenod side that were thumped 9-2 in their first game of the season against Eltham.
But their task of defeating Mazenod wasn't as straightforward as Eltham's thrashing of the newly promoted side a couple of weeks prior.
Gippsland's reserves side had to graft and grind out this result.
They took control of proceedings from the off which was pleasing for coach Jason Dastey, especially after a slow start against Old Scotch in match week one.
After a brillant hattrick against Old Scotch, Germaine Otieno was a threat again for Gippsland. Mazenod's goal lived a charmed life early on, as Otieno hit the post and crossbar on separate occasions.
But the complexion of the match changed as left back Alexnadru Pop received a second yellow card, which meant Gippsland were down to 10 men early in the game.
But this wouldn't dampen their spirit as they took the lead not long after this incident. It was Otieno who ran in behind the Mazenod defense, chasing a loose ball.
His pace was telling and strength to knock his opponent off the ball exemplary. With the finish to match, Otieno bagged his fourth of the season.
Continuing to cause Mazenod problems in behind their defense, Gippsland striker Nonda Lazaris chased after a great ball over the top.
He would have been in on goal without the intervention of Mazenod's keeper, who rushed off his line in an attempt to reach the ball first. Lazaris was first to the bouncing ball, heading it past the keeper. But the match became bleak viewing for both sets of supporters, as Mazenod's keeper was late to the challenge, causing a freakish collision of heads.
Both players thereafter were taken to hospital, with everyone's immediate thoughts with the welfare of the two players.
However the show went on, and due to Mazenod's keeper deemed to have fouled Lazaris, he received a red card, bringing both sides down to 10 men.
A whirlwind of a first half came to a close as both outfits regrouped.
Mazenod, being behind in the game, came at Gippsland early in the second period, playing many balls in behind.
Their persistence finally paid off as they scored the equaliser from an intelligently worked free kick.
From a wide right position, the dead ball was played to the edge of the box with a decoy runner stepping over the ball leaving the next Mazenod player space for a clear shot at goal, which he dispatched into the bottom left corner of Gippsland's net.
It was a tough one to take for Gippsland's players, but they had been in this situation before - scoring goals in crucial moments late in games last season wasn't unfamiliar to them.
They thought they found the winner through captain Cooper Farr who prodded home a header from Paul Cooper, who replaced Nonda Lazaris at striker in the first half.
However, the referee blew his whistle for offside, and Gippsland were forced to go again to find the winner.
But that they did, as Ben McCartney stepped up to the plate. The goal wasn't just a lovely shot, it came with some effective interchange between McCartney and Paul Cooper down the left flank.
McCartney drove into the box and took matters into his own hands, curling the match winner into the right hand side netting.
One could only assume that elation and relief were two emotions that Gippsland's reserves were feeling as the referee blew the full time whistle.
With six points in the bag, they have certainly picked up where they left off from 2023.
Including last season, this was Gippsland's 18th consecutive game undefeated and 11th successive win in the reserves competition.
As for their senior counterparts, it's back to the drawing board, as they will want to make amends in match week three by returning to the winners circle.
Its Banyule City Soccer Club up next for Gippsland United as they are back home at Baxter Park in Warragul to host their second set of night games this season.
All the action will take place on Saturday 13 April, as the reserves kick off at 4pm and seniors 6:15pm.