Eight teams, four cups up for grabs SOCCER LVSL By JOHN CARDONA   THIS Sunday sees the start of cup matches for all teams in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League. Unfortunately due to the lack of communication from Football Victoria, venues are not available at time of print. All three games are however predicted to be closely fought affairs in Round 1 senior men’s action playing for the Battle of Britain Cup. Newborough Yallourn United and Traralgon City played in a playoff game last Sunday at Harold Preston No 1, won by the Comine 1-nil. The Combine, with the slight advantage of the wind in the first half, controlled the early stages as the Roosters defended with numbers and then aimed to transition quickly and score on the break. NYU had the better of the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net, leaving the scores locked at nil-all at the break. The second half started with NYU changing the formation to try to get an early goal, but with Traralgon City now having the breeze, looked a lot more threatening. The second half was a lot more even, with both sides attacking and looking for the win. NYU got the first goal, only for the goal to be disallowed after the referee and linesman got together and decided there was an infringement on the goalkeeper in the box. The game looked like it was heading towards extra time until Combine midfielder Adam Batt received the ball and sent Tristan Donohue clean through in the 89th minute to be one-on-one with the keeper. Donohue then hit a low punching shot that beat the keeper at the near post and gave NYU the goal they were desperately after. NYU then held on and defended grimly for the remaining few minutes. Best for the winners last Sunday were Batt, Steve Birrell, Ash Birrell and Tristan Donohue. The win now sees NYU progress through to the quarter final match against Monash, in what should be a great game. The two teams have met twice this year in the league season, both ending in hard fought draws. There will be no draws in all cup games this weekend, with the eventual winner progressing and advancing to the semi-final. NYU won the senior women’s playoff in the Brown Huizer Cup. The Combine was too strong for Falcons, winning 4-2. Falcons scored early, but the NYU women were soon got back on level terms when Shayla Vella took her opportunity. The combine gradually got on top in play and were rewarded with another goal from Vella to give them a 2-1 lead. Falcons never shirked the issue, and were soon back level, sending the game into extra time. NYU looked the way better side in the extra time play and ran away with the game, scoring twice during the extended period. The outstanding player of the match for the winning side was Vella, who managed to score all four of the goals. Another to play well was Indee Ryan, who now progresses to a quarter final match against Tyers United.   IN the reserves, Shopwell Trophy, Traralgon City defeated NYU 2-1. Again, it was another evenly contested game, with Traralgon City taking the lead midway through the first half before Damian Gilbert scored just before halftime to level the scores. The second half saw both sides having some great opportunities to break the deadlock, but eventually it was Traralgon City who got the decisive winning goal. NYU made some late changes to try to send the game into extra time, but couldn’t find the goal they needed. Best for the Combine was Tim Shaw, Steve Geisler, Gilbert and Jake Vella. With that win, Traralgon City will now face up to East Gippsland in the quarter final. A RUNDOWN on all Battle of Britain quarter finals matches are as follows: The top two outstanding sides of 2025 in league champions, Moe United play league runner-up Traralgon Olympians. During the season, Moe United and Olympians drew 1-all at Olympia Park, Moe, after the visitors grabbed the equaliser at the death from the penalty spot. In the second round match, Olympians accounted for Moe United 4-1. Moe United was in top form after that however, winning a come-from-behind league championship, sealing the title with a 4-nil win over Monash, and should go into the match full of confidence before the two week break. Both sides should be at near full strength, so it should see a thrilling cup match. Olympians on the other hand will be desperate to atone for what most people say was a championship they threw away. In other matches, Churchill United will be keen to continue their late season good form with a win over East Gippsland. In a derby cup tie match, Monash are drawn up against neighbours NYU. Can the Combine cause the cup upset result in this match? In the other big battle, third-placed Falcons are up against fourth-placed Sale United. Both league matches saw very closely fought encounters, with the first match ending in a 1-all draw, and the last round match seeing Falcons winning 3-2 in an exciting game.   THE woman’s Brown/Huizer Cup quarter finals sees NYU face up to Tyers. Olympians are drawn to play Monash, and in what possibly should have been the cup final, dominate league champions for the past three years, Sale United face up to the only side to give them a taste of defeat this season in Churchill United, which should be a thrilling encounter. In the same half of the draw, with the top two sides in Moe United, who’s only two losses were against Sale United, the Red Devils will front up to Traralgon City. On form, Moe United should win this match with a few players returning from their postponed match, which saw the Red Devils win 2-1.   IN the reserves Shopwell Trophy, Moe United plays Falcons. This should be another closely fought match, with games between these two sides often throwing up some interesting results. Moe United will still be hurting badly after throwing away their first reserves league champions title since 1998, in an upset 1-nil loss to neighbours Monash after needing only a draw to win the league title. The Red Devils will therefore be desperate to win at least the Shopwell Trophy, having led the league table for most of 2025. In other cup tie matches, Churchill United meet Monash, while league champions Sale United face up against Olympians, which should see the strong Sale United side progress to thee semi-final. Rounding off the fixture, Traralgon City meets East Gippsland United.   THIRD Division players will play for the Nan Bosma Cup. Quarter final matches see Falcons up against Monash. Tyers United play defending 2024 Nan Bosma Cup winners, Moe United, who found their form late in the season to climb from fifth position on the league table to end the season third. Fortuna face the tough task of trying to beat this year’s 3rd Division league champions in Olympians. In the final match of the Nan Bosma Cup quarter final matches, Sale United are drawn up against 3rd Division runner-up, Churchill United. Supporters wishing to know venues are encouraged to get in touch with someone from clubs closer to the weekend.

LV Express: Eight teams, four cups up for grabs #Sport #churchillunited #Falcons2000

Red hot finish to season seals trophy for Moe SOCCER LVSL By JOHN CARDONA AND LIAM DURKIN   MOE UNITED celebrated after winning its ninth Latrobe Valley Soccer League championship. The Red Devils secured the title with a 4-nil victory over Monash last Sunday. The result gives Moe an unassailable lead at the top of the LVSL ladder with one round to play. The Red Devils have the bye in the last round (to be played this weekend), and are five points clear of second-placed Traralgon Olympians. It is Moe’s first league championship since 2016. A brilliant first half of football saw the Red Devils take a 3-nil lead into the break at Monash Reserve. In what was one of the largest crowds to ever attend a Moe versus Monash derby, the Red Devils’ defence, headed Lachie McKenzie, Chad Shelley, Noah Kane and Brendan Ruddell, repelled most of the Monash forward attacks, which gave the visiting forwards plenty of avenues to goal. Three time: Moe United defender, Lachie McKenzie added another league title to his collection at the weekend. Photographs: Liam Durkin Moe got the breakthrough after 10 minutes of attacking soccer, culminating at the 23 minute mark. A cross into the box caused a goal scramble, which the Monash defence failed to clear properly, and an alert Noah Kane seized onto the ball and hammered it home from close range. The Red Devils made it 2-nil after one of the more bizarre passages of play saw the keeper literally kick the ball straight to Moe striker Connor O’Hanlon. O’Hanlon needed no invitation, and ran in to slot the easiest of chances. At 42 minutes, Sceney collected a loose ball and then make a run on the right side to dribble his way past two Monash players, and unleashed an absolute right foot thunderbolt of a drive which rocketed into the roof of the goal with the keeper glued to his spot. With the 2025 league championship virtually wrapped up, Moe United set out to limit the chances of a late Monash revival, Up front in attack, O’Hanlon was always a constant threat, and was again in the play when he let loose with another cracking drive which rattled the crossbar. The rebound was met by Matt Shearing, but his header attempt went over the crossbar. Midway through the second half, a run up the left by Shearing saw him illegally tackled by a Monash defender, and referee Kieran Lenders had no hesitation to award Moe United a penalty spot kick. Despite calls from the crowd for club favourite and keeper, Peter Albanese to take the shot, O’Hanlon stepped up and made no mistake. Albo showed there was nothing that could break his ageing body, even getting straight back to his feet after virtually being spear tackled in the first half. O’Hanlon’s second goal came after 81 minutes, meaning there was little left to do but wait for the final whistle. Subs were given a run around this time, with the game’s only sour note a late injury to McKenzie forcing him off the field. Winning coach, Lee Dastey waited until there was around two minutes left before taking in congratulations from the bench. All yours: Winning coach, Lee Dastey (left) is presented the trophy by league representative Stephen Breheny. A somewhat subdued celebration took place on the pitch, with just the league trophy presented. Moe skippers Shearing and Luke Bathgate proudly lifted the championship trophy. Moe players and officials will receive their medals and Football Victoria banner once the season is officially over. Best players on the day for the Red Devils were O’Hanlon, McKenzie, Sceney and Shelley. Adam Semple put in a commendable effort for Monash.   IN other results, Olympians did their best to try and get ahead of Moe on goal difference, beating East Gippsland 12-nil in West Bairnsdale. Olympians needed Moe to lose or at least draw their game to potentially win the league title. Alradi Ali and Moni Ellaser returned from East Gippsland with hat-tricks. Newborough/Yallourn put up a great fight against Falcons, losing 3-nil at Burrgae after holding last year’s champions to nil-all at the half. Churchill United bounced back from defeat, beating Sale United 2-nil on the road last Saturday night. Goal scorers for the winners were Germaine Otleno and Kuku Mahammud. The last round of the 2025 league season sees Traralgon City (coming off a bye) host Monash, Churchill welcomes East Gippsland, Olympians and NYU clash at Harold Preston 2, while Falcons plays Sale United on the Morwell Football-Netball Club synthetic. All games are this Sunday afternoon from 3pm.

LV Express: Red hot finish to season seals trophy for Moe #Sport #churchillunited #Falcons2000

Red Devils pull of miracle for 50-year stalwart SOCCER LVSL By LIAM DURKIN   HE would of loved the result, and absolutely hated every second of the attention. Moe United Soccer Club icon, Peter Albanese has never been one to make it all about him. He just lets his goal keeping do the talking. ‘Albo’ was in a customary familiar position for much of Saturday’s cutthroat match against Falcons, seeing a number of close calls stopped, deflected and parried to safety. He’s been doing it for 50 years, longer than his teammates have even been alive. The Red Devils, with their hopes of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League title virtually hanging on the result, found themselves locked in a nerve-killing 2-all battle late in the piece at Moe’s Olympic Park. “Dig deep” came the call from the lone figure guarding Falcons’ goal, as the clock ticked further and further into stoppage time. The call resonated with all wearing red, and in what almost seemed destined, the ball found the back of the home team’s net. The final whistle sounded barely 30 seconds later. Moe United had come from 2-nil down to hit the lead right at the death, and possibly, take a critical step toward their first championship in almost a decade. It was Troy Deeney, Nick Davis, Steve Waugh last ball century on your home ground type stuff. Two great men: Peter Albanese with his nephew and former Moe United senior captain, Nick Fogarty after the game. Photographs: Liam Durkin For the beloved, Albo – just about the perfect day. Taking a moment to surely feel some sense of relief, Albanese was congratulated by players from both clubs, who before the match, lined up alongside paintwork on the Olympic Park pitch inscribed ’50 Albo 1′ in homage to his length of service wearing the Number 1 shirt. This followed a guard of honour as he entered the arena, and he left being chaired off by Connor O’Hanlon and former Red Devils captain Nick Fogarty, who is also his nephew. The pair have played countless matches together over the years, clocking up countless kilometres in the car as well. Moe United Coach, Lee Dastey said the veteran keeper was a credit to himself. “Really proud of him. Lot of respect for the guy. He’s amazing,” Dastey said. “The longevity is just unheard of, for one guy to play at one club for 50 years. “I said to the boys before the game, you can play for as long as you want, but you will never play with another guy who’s played at the one club for 50 years.” As Dastey also rightly pointed out, Albanese was still getting a game on his own merit. “He’s here Tuesday, Thursday without fail (at training), 58-years-old, throwing his body around, diving on the ground, I don’t know how he does it,” the coach said. “At some stage one of the younger goal keepers have got to step up and take that mantle, but he deserves to be there. “His shot-stopping is definitely his strength.” Dastey made the presentation to Albanese upon his induction as an LVSL legend in 2022. Embarrassed then as he was at the weekend, the man himself has always cited a love of the game as the reason he keeps playing.   Moe United 3-2 Falcons 2000 IT’s not over until it’s over. It’s only now and then Moe United loses a game as well. The Red Devils secured a victory for the ages last Saturday, edging ahead with a last minute stoppage time winner against Falcons to keep their Latrobe Valley Soccer League title dream alive. In front of past players congregated for the annual reunion at Olympic Park, the home side was forced to overcome a 2-nil deficit, and go for an almighty gamble as the game looked destined to end in a 2-all draw. Stakes were at an all-time high for Moe and Falcons heading into the Round 15 clash, with both club’s seasons virtually on the line. While the ending was thrilling, much of the game was unfortunately marred by frustration, which led to a near all-in brawl along the interchange huts in the second half. A total of seven yellow cards were handed out (six to Falcons), while three players were evicted. That being said, the frustration of players was understandable given the totally confusing nature at the way in which certain situations unfolded. The fight perhaps overshadowed an otherwise high-standard game between two of the league’s most successful clubs. Falcons, who have been on the road every week since mid-May due to construction works at their ground, sent early panic into the Moe camp after striking within the first 15 minutes. A corner kick and subsequent scramble saw the ball deflect off a few shins, seemingly catching players by surprise, before Lachie Spiteri got enough purchase to sneak the ball through. Falcons appeared somewhat surprised at their own early success, and spent most of the first half grimly defending their lead. Falcons midfielder Tommy D’Alia was everywhere early, displaying some fancy footwork to get around opponents. The Red Devils missed a few gettable shots to equalise, the most telling when two players ran into each other near the goal post. Falcons kept a watertight defence up until halftime, at times surrounding Moe strikers in packs of three. The visitors took a 1-nil lead into the half, and showed signs that it might just be ‘their day’ once play resumed. While the day was all about Moe keeper Peter Albanese’s 50th year, Falcons keeper Callum Dominguez was playing just about the game of his life – and he was only supposedly filling in. In his element: Peter Albanese clears Moe United out of danger yet again. File photograph “He’s not even a goal keeper!” one Falcons supporter quipped. Up the other end, Albanese was caught offguard after most players stopped assuming a Falcons player was offside, only for a high kick from Lachie Frendo to lob over the Moe keeper at the 53 minute mark. Things levelled out not long after when Luke Bathgate goaled for the Red Devils, while on the scoreboard, they levelled out numerically at the 61 minute mark, although not before even more confusion. The play saw O’Hanlon get through and goal from close range, although Falcons were adamant a foul had been called, and stopped in their tracks. The visiting defence was then left stunned when, following a lengthy deliberation, the goal was given the all clear. With scores level and still more than 30 minutes remaining, the contest reached fever pitch. Both sides had numerous chances at goal, before the game turned sour after some push and shove near the Moe United bench erupted into spot fires galore. The fallout saw Bathgate sin binned, and Frendo likewise for Falcons. Further drama unfolded when D’Alia was given his marching orders for his second yellow, although in fairness, his punishment hardly seemed to match the crime. That he received a supportive pat on the back from Moe United president, Harley Robinson, who was sitting on the bench as a senior player when D’Alia walked past, perhaps summed up the situation. Still, there was a game to be won, and with barely 10 minutes left and an extra player on the park, the Red Devils pressed. Moe defender Lachie McKenzie screamed “do not let it bounce” as Falcons took a goal kick, while Falcons coach Adrian Salvatore’s instruction was “we’re going high and long”. Some heart-in-mouth moments followed, especially when the Red Devils looked to have a golden opportunity with an open goal, only to butcher the chance. Moe finally found the winner in good time at the 90th minute, when Oscar Sceney got the ball in acres of space and slotted it through. The goal ignited celebrations on the Red Devils bench reminiscent of their last game against Falcons, which played out in eerily similar circumstances. Falcons didn’t look too despondent when the final whistle was blown, perhaps internally surmising Moe had ample opportunity during the game to put the result beyond doubt. Moe coach Lee Dastey said his side certainly did it the hard way. “We left it late, I didn’t think it was going to come,” he said. “We had to make a few changes. We wanted to leave two up front, shoved Oscar up there and went a bit thinner down back. I’m not sure exactly how it happened, I was a little bit surprised how he got through two-on-one. Even up until the last finish I was thinking, the way some of the other finishing went, the day we’d had, it wasn’t going to go in, but he hit it sweetly. “You take some risks, you can be vulnerable, but it worked.” Dastey was understandably happy to take the three points given the number of near misses. “The first 20 minutes they (Falcons) were on top, we were struggling to get into the game. As the half went on, last 25 minutes we had chances,” he said. “There was a couple of times when they got through on goal and it was that final pass that didn’t get there, if you get that right, we could have been 3-2 down.” The planets could be aligning for Moe, who are three points clear on top of the ladder with three rounds to play, albeit with a game in hand and a bye in the last round. The Red Devils’ path to the championship was helped by second-placed Olympians drawing 1-all with Churchill United last Saturday night. Should Moe win the championship, it will cap off a remarkable season given most pundits didn’t see the Red Devils in championship calculations during preseason. This writer, bumping into Dastey at the Irish Bar, Trafalgar during last cricket season, even asked if the coach himself would need to come out of retirement and pull on the boots. Evidently, he’s weaving enough magic from the side lines.   LVSL Round 15 A MAJOR curveball was thrown into the race for the Latrobe Valley Soccer League senior men’s championship at the weekend. Following Moe United’s thrilling 3-2 win over Falcons on Saturday afternoon, the Red Devils went to bed that night with a sudden opening after Olympians and Churchill United drew 1-all at Harold Preston in the later game during Round 15. The result keeps Moe United three points clear on top of the table with just as many rounds to play. The Red Devils however have a game in hand and the bye in the last round, meaning they may be forced to sweat on other results right to the last day. Put simply, Moe just has to win its last two games against Churchill and Monash to win the league. That might be easier said than done given both games are away. The Rams have seemingly become a different side since gun striker Kuku Mahammud joined, while Monash has proven to be a difficult opponent to shake in recent encounters. Second-placed Olympians travel to Monash this Sunday (who are coming off a bye), before ending with matches against East Gippsland Untied (away) and Newborough Yallourn United (home). After appearing to have one hand on the league title after beating Moe 4-1 in Round 10, unexpected results have once again thrown the championship open. The Combine lost 5-1 to Sale United last Saturday night coming off a league-wide bye. The Swans have been the league’s big improvers this season, while NYU continues to front up admirably. A late goal provided a highlight for the travelling Combine, who will now turn some of their attention to the Battle of Britain Cup. Falcons are facing a similar prospect, and the reigning league champions are resigned to the fact they will more than likely finish third on the league table. Scores were not published online from the Traralgon City versus East Gippsland game at Harold Preston. East Gippsland remains a close watch for the last three rounds, with some suggestion the Bairnsdale-based side is more than capable of splitting points with Olympians in the penultimate round, which would all but guarantee Moe the title.

LV Express: Red Devils pull of miracle for 50-year stalwart #Sport #Falcons2000 #LachlanMcKenzie

Fortuna make the switch SOCCER By TOM HAYES   FORTUNA 60 Soccer Club has officially made the move to the Men’s State League (MSL). The Lions will leave the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, after their application to join the MSL was officially accepted on Friday, December…

LV Express: Fortuna make the switch: SOCCER


By TOM HAYES


 


FORTUNA 60 Soccer Club has officially made the move to the Men’s State League (MSL).


The Lions will leave the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, after their application to join the MSL was… #Sport #Falcons2000 #FootballVictoria