AROUND THE GROUNDS
Galaxy United v Southern United 11-0
DON’T rub your eyes, Galaxy fans. The score is correct. Galaxy brushed aside a struggling Southern side in convincing fashion, leading 6-0 at halftime before adding another five in the second 45 minutes. Impressively, the scoring load was shared around. Caitlin Pickett scored a hat-trick, Laura Spiranovic and Lujeyn Al-Huneidi a brace, while Aneta Komijat, Adriana Taranto and substitute Imogen Pratt also netted.
Hoppers Crossing v Geelong 0-3
VEDRAN Stojanovic made it two from two, after his brace enabled Geelong to come away from Grange Reserve with a convincing 3-0 victory over the fancied Hoppers Crossing in State League 1 action on Saturday. Stojanovic has been a sensation since crossing from State 2 neighbour Corio. His partnership with Canadian import Daniel Kuczynski, who scored Geelong’s third, is fast becoming the most lethal attacking combination in the league. Courtesy of the win, Geelong moves into second place on the ladder and its clash at home with fourth-placed Banyule City next Saturday night has all the hallmarks of an early season blockbuster.
Rangers v Altona East Phoenix 1-0
GEELONG Rangers recorded its first win of the State League 2 campaign, overcoming Altona East Phoenix 1-0 in wild and windy conditions at Myers Reserve on Saturday. A Zac Harry goal in the 13th minute was enough to separate the combatants at the final whistle. The victory lifts the ‘Gers off the bottom of the table, moving them up four places to ninth position. Next week the Rangers are away to bottom side Diamond Valley United, who will be further dis- advantaged after fronting up from a game tonight against the high-flying Whittlesea United. Corio v Fitzroy City 3-2 CORIO had to fight hard and come from behind to capture all three competition points against Fitzroy City as winter came early to a cold and wind-swept Hume Reserve on Saturday night. After going into the shed at 1-0 down having conceded an early goal, coach Ante Didulica rammed home his message to his troops at the break, as the Eagles came out a different side in the second period. Goals from Nathan Cook, Darcy Rapa and a 30m cracker from Canadian import Ethan Gage ensured Corio stayed in touch with the leading pack in State 2, the win allowing the Eagles to jump into 5th place, three points behind the undefeated Westgate.
Bell Park v Altona North 0-2
IT was not the result home side wanted, as Bell Park succumbed to its first defeat of the season at the hands of Altona North at the Bell Park Sports Centre on Saturday. Goals either side of the halftime interval was enough to condemn Ivan Biscan’s team to a 2-0 loss played in tough conditions on an unforgettable afternoon. The loss sees the All Whites drop to fourth place on the ladder with six points, three behind joint leaders Truganina Hornets and Western Eagles.
Laverton Park v Golden Plains 3-0
GOLDEN Plains endured yet another second-half fadeout to eventually go down 0-3 to Laverton FC at Laverton Park Reserve on Saturday. Despite keeping the home side scoreless at the break, the bottom-placed Bannockburn outfit simply ran out of legs in the heavy conditions and was overrun and outclassed by the rampaging home side. The loss sees the Plains anchored to the foot of the table, yet to open its account but it is early days yet for a side that is only starting to jell as a squad.
Western Eagles v Coast 4-2
SURF Coast came away from a tough road trek to the Polish Sports Complex in Ardeer with nothing to show, following a demoralising 2-4 loss to the undefeated State 4 joint leaders Western Eagles. After finding themselves down 0-2 at halftime, the Coasters fought back to level the scores with about 10 minutes to go. Francois Bationo netted in the 63rd minute and substitute Jack Taylor equalised in the 79th. Unfortunately, the home Surf side then managed to score two quick goals to seal the win and the three points. The winless Surf Coast drops to eighth in the standings, with one point from its opening three fixtures.
West Point Ducks 3-3
DEAKIN Ducks made the short trip up the Princess Highway to Point Cook’s Tom Roberts Reserve and came away from their encounter with West Point with a fair 3-3 draw. The home side took what appeared to be a matchwinning 3-2 lead in the 89th minute, but a stunning Marcus Lindeberg equaliser in the 98th minute guaranteed the Ducks would return to their Pond v Deakin undefeated after three rounds. Prolific scorer Harry Woolley was the other scorer for the Ducks, netting their opening two goals in the 65th and 71st minutes. Despite dropping valuable points, the Ducks remain near the summit of the State 5 standings.
Barwon v United 2-3
DESPITE putting in its best performance of the season, State League 5 debutant Barwon SC had its colours lowered by Maidstone United, narrowly going down 2-3 in its historic first home fixture at the Grovedale Reserve on Saturday evening. According to disappointed Barwon coach Dale Harris, “we didn’t deserve Maidstone to lose and we controlled the majority of the game, but that’s life”. The visitors scored the opener on 25 minutes before Ian Nichols equalised in the 35th minute. A goal in the 60th minute gave Maidstone the lead, before Sean Mahon’s strike on 70 minutes once again restored parity. The home side could not hold on, however, conceding a goal in the 87th minute.
Lara United v Maidstone United 3-2
LARA United got its women’s State League 2 season off to the best possible start with a strong victory over Maidstone. Lara’s Bec Lane, Ella Polglaze, Christie Merry all scored.