With 19 games over the 3 days, this weekend was a bumper one down at Monbulk Regional Soccer Facility.
Friday saw the action kick off with the VPLW Senior Women’s squads facing fellow cellar-dwelling Eltham Redbacks.
The Reserves started off proceedings, fighting admirably but ultimately falling short 3-1 with Hermione Murray scoring her first goal at Senior level.
It wasn’t much better for the Senior Women as they took a 2-0 lead through 2 Gabrielle Simpson strikes. With their first win on the cards, the nerves were felt and they agonisingly squandered the lead, to go down 3-2, with a contentious refereeing decision the epicentre of Monbulk’s rage. Goalkeeper Mia Verrasso was seemingly fouled and injured, as the referee blew the whistle for the clash prior to the ball rolling in, only to later award the goal to seal the loss for the ladies.
Saturday night under lights provided us with some unforgettable moments as our Men’s squads faced a travelling Middle Park outfit.
In the Reserves match, we saw both Monbulk’s goals being memorable for reasons you wouldn’t expect. Daniel Gasson’s second half strike was matched by the lights going out right as the ball hit the back of the net, giving a new meaning to “sooting the lights out” and player/coach Brian Martin scored from half-way with a free kick sailing over the keeper’s head to earn a 2-2 draw.
In the Senior affair, Monbulk Rangers were looking to make it two wins in a row to help their ascension up the table and Middle Park were seeking their first win of the season, making for a battle that could have big implications on the relegation chances of both teams. It was Middle Park who took the lead after 8 minutes when a hesitation from Monbulk’s keeper saw a nicely chipped finish by the Middle Park forward. Monbulk kept pressing for the equaliser, the found it with the last kick of the first half when Isaac Wood found a little pocket of space to slot home a tidy goal. 10 minutes in to the second half however, Middle Park scored again against the run of play, however, Monbulk Player/Coach Steve McRae took it upon himself to shift the tide of the match, scoring not only the second equalising goal in three minutes, but he then went on to score Monbulk’s third to give them the lead with 10 minutes to play. Monbulk completed the routing of Middle Park with a second goal from Isaac Wood, a screamer from outside the penalty area and a goal from Daniel Biondo after he classily rounded the Middle Park goalkeeper to complete the 5-2 home victory. It was Monbulk’s first home win in over 15 months!
Next week’s fixtures sees both Senior squads away, with the Men playing Saturday against Noble Park United at Parkfield Reserve and the Women’s team playing on Sunday against Brunswick Juventus at Reddish Reserve, kick off’s on both days are Reserves at 1pm and Seniors at 3pm.
FV Senior Results:
VPLW v Eltham Redbacks: Reserves 3-1 (L), Seniors 3-2 (L)
State League 3 South-East Mens v Middle Park: Reserves 2-2 (D), Seniors 5-2 (W)
VCFA Senior Results:
Division 1 v St Hilary’s: 6-1 (W)
Division 2 v Blacburn Newhope Burners: 1-1 (D)
Women’s Division 1 v Bayswater Strikers: 0-0 (D)
Junior Results:
U12 Girls Diamonds – BYE
U12 Girls Emeralds v Boroondara Eagles 9-2 (L)
U12 Giants v Maccabi Caulfield 3-1 (W)
U12 Titans v Knox United 5-3 (W)
U13 Ghosts v Old Ivanhoe 5-0 (L)
U13 Spirits v Boroondara Eagles 7-2 (W)
U14 Girls Sapphires v Peninsula Strikers 9-2 (L)
U14 Razorbacks v Healesville 9-0 (W)
U14 Rapids v Knox City 10-0
U15 Wolves – BYE
U16 Spartans v Knox City 5-1 (L)
U17 Raptors v Mazenod 2-2 (D)
