First win on the road
The return of State League One action saw Gippsland United travel to the home of Bentleigh Cobra's on Saturday.
The round four fixture presented both seniors and reserves the opportunity to win their first away game of the season.
After posting their first wins at home prior to the Easter break against Richmond, the club as a whole aimed to kick on and make it two wins on the spin for both grades.
Playing in winter-like conditions, the seniors faced an early set-back as starting right winger Oscar Sheehan limped off the pitch with an injury within minutes of kick-off.
He made way for Riley Hamilton who returned after a few weeks out with a shoulder injury.
Despite this undesirable start to proceedings, Rory Wagner almost netted a headed chance from 10 yards, immediately after his fellow forward was subbed off.
Bentleigh responded by forging a great shooting chance of their own shortly after Wagner hit the bar. It was a well struck volley from outside the box that had to be dealt with by Gippsland number one Aiden Riley.
Chances thereafter were few and far between, as the sides entered the dressing rooms on level terms at half-time.
Riley Hamilton's return to the senior squad proved pivotal as he popped up at the back post to finish off a cross from Sammy Gatpan. The goal fired United into the lead, and the combination of Gatpan and Hamilton highlighted their great individual performances on either flank.
Then up stepped Wagner. Gippsland's number nine took an audacious shot from about 40 yards out after spotting Bentleigh's keeper well off his line. Trying a similar shot against Richmond, where he was only to be denied by the crossbar, Wagner's long range effort wasn't to be stopped a second time. This led to the travelling contingent of Gippsland supporters, players and coaches to get up off their feet.
With scores 2-0, another three points seemed to be in order for a senior team full of confidence. However, the game hadn't seen its last twist.
Bentleigh made a prompt reply, scoring from a corner kick minutes after Wagner's goal, making it 2-1. United's players then worked doggedly to see out the game, getting over the line after preventing a Bentleigh equaliser to secure all three points.
In the earlier fixture, United's reserves played out another close encounter.
Similarly to the senior game, the sides went into half-time with the score at 0-0.
Gippsland had threatened in the first half and looked the more likely of the two teams to take the lead. Jesse O'Brien had a standout performance in the first half, running at Bentleigh's backline to cause them many problems.
If it wasn't for a contentious offside call early on, O'Brien would've had the reserves in the lead, scoring a wonderful left footed effort which, unfortunately, was disallowed.
The second half began as the became heavier, with both outfits craving that opening goal.
After a slight change in shape to take Mark Alcock out of midfield and bring him up front, United showed great signs of finding the opener.
It was then Alcock who broke through with the biggest chance of the game. Slipped in by Daniel Edey, Bentleigh's defence was cut wide open.
Alcock couldn't convert his chance as Bentleigh's keeper made a crucial save. Luckily for Gippsland, his attempt ricocheted into the path of the on rushing Julian Colantuono, who scored with great calmness, to grab his second goal in as many games.
Colantuono's goal would prove the difference on the day as the reserves held onto the 1-0 lead.
A second yellow card for Conor McCluskey meant Gippsland went down to 10 men with not long left. This left the door open for Bentleigh to dominate the remaining minutes, however, United held on.
This meant a third clean sheet on the bounce and also three games unbeaten in the league for the reserves.
Jarrod Reynolds, again, had a very commanding goalkeeping performance which is a key reason they haven't conceded in the three games in which he has started.
United took all six points on the road and sang their song loud and proud.
It was two spirited performances to help them climb their respective league tables - both up to sixth.
United will now host South Springvale at Baxter Park in Warragul on Saturday.