United’s six-point parade
With only one point accrued across seniors and reserves, Gippsland United posted a sixpoint parade in match three of the Men's State League One.
Both squads showed a reaction to the shortfalls of their previous fixtures when they hosted Richmond at Baxter Park on Saturday, who similarly had not managed a win yet in season 2023.
In an opportunity for either club to kickstart their campaign, it was Gippsland taking both games by the scruff of the neck.
After conceding two early goals in match one and two, it was United who got off to a flier. Bryson Tanti hit the back of the net only two minutes after kick-off, pouncing on a blunder from Richmond's goalkeeper.
Forwards Oscar Sheehan and Rory Wagner were threatening a second goal throughout the game, and it was Wagner who doubled the lead for Gippsland. Ashley Ross turned provider, with an incisive pass to put through Gippsland's number nine who finished with aplomb.
Gippsland were defensively strong throughout the game, limiting Richmond's chances. As a result, they kept their first clean sheet of the season on the way to a 2-0 win. They are now ninth on the ladder.
Prior to the seniors' triumph, Gippsland's reserves set the tone for the first team in picking up a vital win. A second clean sheet on the bounce laid a solid foundation for them to go on and win the game.
Neither team managed to score in the first half, but United's persistence would pay off, ensuring they weren't going to leave their home patch empty handed.
Julian Colantuono broke the deadlock midway through the second half with a low driven shot from outside the box. After scoring 19 goals last year, Daniel Edey also got in on the act, opening his account by capitalising on a mistake at the back from Richmond. This buried any hope the away side had of drawing the game.
The 2-0 win has United up to sixth on the ladder.
Two great team performances, two wins, two clean sheets, two goals a piece and two happy coaches.
The season now pauses for Easter, with the next fixtures of State League One scheduled for Saturday, April 15. However, there is little time to rest as the club prepares for its round four tie of the Australia Cup at Trafalgar, under lights, at 7.30pm on Thursday.
In the previous round of the Australia Cup in early March, Gippsland United defeated Lara United.
The Australia Cup is a knockout competition open to all clubs across the country, with A-League and NPL clubs taking part. Gippsland will look to replicate their winning form against fellow State League One club Brimbank Stallions in order to maintain the momentum gained from the weekend's results.