4 July 2016

Page 41

FRANKSTON TIMES scoreboard

Tigers hold on in a thriller NEPEAN LEAGUE

By Toe Punt Even a seven goal last quarter couldn’t help Devon Meadows steal a win against Dromana in MPNFL Nepean Division on Saturday. Trailing by four goals at three quarter time, the Panthers stormed home in the final 30 minutes, albeit never hitting the front, only to fall just short, 15.11 (101) to 14.13 (97). It was Dromana coach Rikki Johnston who proved to be the difference between the sides, booting six goals in a best on ground performance. Rated one of the best defenders of all time, Rikki J has booted 17 goals since swinging himself forward against Tyabb in Round seven. Johnston now forms part of what looks to be a pretty potent forward half, which includes Beau Cosson and Beau McMurray, who both booted three goals on Saturday. Billy Quigley has been sensational for the Tigers this season and his consistency has run against the grain of many of his teammates. Terry Wheeler has also been providing outstanding leadership for the likes of Daniel Marchesani and Ethan Johnstone. The Panthers were gallant again, losing their second straight match by less than a goal after beating Sorrento three weeks ago. Coach Glenn Michie, who announced his playing retirement at season’s end on Saturday morning’s RPP Footy Show, said that “kids were getting an opportunity”. “When I put my best side on the board in the pre-season, there were more than a dozen blokes on it that are not playing

now through injury,” Michie said. “In any club, that makes things pretty tough, however, the kids are getting an opportunity and they are now starting to find their way at the level. Our past few performances have proven that. “We have also been rocked by Beau Miller’s illness and the effect of this news and Beau’s ongoing fight and battle has had a significant impact. “We have had a sports chaplin in at our footy club and I think now, some nine weeks later, we’re just starting to get a handle on it. “Beau Miller is one of the strongest people, both mentally and physically, I have ever had the fortune to meet in my 20 years of playing senior football. He’s fighting one hell of a battle but the whole footy community, throughout the MPNFL, is right behind him and his family,” Michie said. Jesse Bowe played arguably his best game for the Panthers while Steve Roberts continues to dominate in his return season after knee reconstructions. Roberts would be leading the club B&F in his first season. Chris Doria is also having a very consistent season. Frankston Bombers bounced back from its defeat at the hands of Sorrento last week, belting Crib Point 16.16 (112) to 5.4 (34). The Bombers were in an uncompromising mood on Saturday and put the Magpies to the sword. With Beau Muston missing with a knee injury and Zac White missing through suspension, it left the door ajar for one of the best players to ever grace an MPNFL field in Brian O’Carroll to return. Despite not playing footy for almost three years, O’Carroll was slotted straight back into the senior team.

Muston told the RPP Footy Show that while he is “all for club culture and setting the right example”, O’Carroll was an exception to the rule. “Brian is one of the best and most decorated players this footy club has ever seen and I had no hesitation putting him straight back into the senior team,” Muston said. “We need him up and running when the whips are cracking. He is in a great place mentally and just wanted to get back playing footy with his mates. “It had nothing to do with what we might be able to achieve this season, Brian would have come back if we were on the bottom of the ladder.” Frankston also saw the return of Ryan Kitchen from suspension and a hamstring injury, while Luke James made an impact with four goals. Michael Maiorino was also sensational yet again with six goals, while the unheralded Josh Francis and Josh Chapman continue to find the footy. The Magpies, who have been ultracompetitive in recent weeks, were never in the hunt. Mitch Stansborough played his best game since crossing from Mornington, as did Matty Hogan, since crossing from Frankston YCW. Dean Warry and Luke Herrington are just stars! Rosebud flexed its muscles and added some valuable percentage, smashing Tyabb 19.29 (143) to 5.7 (37). Inaccuracy cost the Buds dearly, however, didn’t prevent a 100 plus point win. Keegan Downie booted seven goals for the Buds and was one of his team’s best while Ryan Spooner (three goals) and Greg Bentley put on a clinic. Jake Anderson and Rohan McGrath were the best of the Yabbies.

Magpie cull: Frankston Bombers showed no mercy to Crib point, thrashing them by 78 points. Picture: Scott Memery

Hail, hail the nine men of Frankston Pines SOCCER

By Craig MacKenzie FRANKSTON Pines returned from the Latrobe Valley with a precious point on Saturday as it bids to avoid relegation from State 1 South-East. The Monterey Reserve side earned a 3-3 draw against Morwell Pegasus in dramatic circumstances ending this catch-up fixture with nine men. Pines central defender Nick Lekakis and goalkeeper James Laminski were unavailable due to holidays but the side was bolstered by the midweek captures of forwards Josh Calle from Langwarrin and Naseer Mohammad from Casey Comets. Ioasa Saemo took up a central defensive role alongside Ben Caffrey while Calle partnered Mathew Hames up front. The visitors dominated the opening half-hour but couldn’t break through. Calle got onto the end of a Stefan Soler cross in the opening minutes but his shot was saved by teenage Morwell keeper Liam Andersen. In the 6th minute Andersen did well to tip over a Calle free-kick and Calle thought he’d opened the scoring in the 13th minute but his attempt was cleared off the line. In the 28th minute Pines paid dearly for losing possession when a Morwell player slammed the ball into young Graham Hill who had instinctively turned side-on. Pines supporters were up in arms as the referee pointed to the spot and sent off Hill before Morwell’s John Kuol struck his penalty attempt past Pines custodian Sam Grigg to make it 1-0.

Pines pride: Senior coach Billy Rae. Picture: Darryl

Kennedy

Eight minutes later Pines were staring down the barrel when a defensive mix-up between Caffrey and Saemo enabled Morwell striker Mat Luak to slot the ball past Grigg to make it 2-0. Right on half-time Calle again was denied by Andersen after good leadup play by Kane Bentley. But two minutes into the second stanza John Negassi played Calle in and he turned and struck a firm shot past Andersen to make it 2-1. Hames had two chances to score in the 52nd minute but his first shot was blocked by Andersen and his

second attempt from the rebound came off a defender and went out for a corner. In the 57th minute Hames again broke clear but rather than cutting the ball back he went for goal and his shot struck Andersen and went out for a corner. Andersen’s sole blemish came in the 67th minute when his poor clearance was met just inside the attacking half by Pines veteran Caffrey whose perfect strike sent the ball sailing over Andersen and into the unguarded Morwell goal for a stunning equaliser.

In the 70th minute Pines gave the ball away and Morwell hit hard on the break with Malesh Jadaeile finally getting the vital touch to make it 3-2. Caffrey protested to the referee claiming offside and was yellow carded. The impact of that caution was felt 15 minutes later when a Caffrey bodycheck earned a second yellow and a dismissal leaving Pines with just nine men. But Pines kept pressing and in the 95th minute a Matt Davis free-kick was headed out for a corner. Davis took the corner and the ball fell to Bentley at the far post and he volleyed it home to become an instant hero. “To get a 3-3 draw in these circumstances was wonderful,” said Pines gaffer Billy Rae. “The players should be so proud of that performance because we played them off the park with 10 men. “I couldn’t ask for any more from these players.” Pines was the only local side in action last weekend. Langwarrin, Peninsula Strikers and Seaford United were due to play previously postponed fixtures but once again their games were called off. It was particularly frustrating for Strikers who arrived at Anderson Park for Saturday’s reserves fixture against Doncaster Rovers to find that the ground hadn’t been marked out. Eventually someone from Doncaster started marking out the pitch but they used lime, which is illegal, tried to paint over it but to no avail and the

senior referee called off the senior fixture. “I don’t know what’s going on up there but it was a complete shambles,” said Strikers president Mark Brandon. However, there was a positive aspect to the shemozzle as Doncaster central midfielder Matt Bell is expected to join Strikers this week after approaching Strikers assistant coach Billy Buchanan. “He’s been involved with Derby County back in England and he’s only in his mid 20s so he’s exactly what we’ve been looking for,” said Buchanan. Meanwhile State 4 South league leader Skye United fell victim to thieves last week when its storage facility at its home ground was broken into. Items stolen included trailers, portable goals, exercise equipment, footballs, training bibs and kitchen equipment. The club has taken to social media to itemise the stolen items and to appeal to anyone with information to contact Frankston police. NEXT WEEKEND’S GAMES Saturday, 9 July, 3pm: Mornington v South Springvale (Dallas Brooks Park), Frankston Pines v Mooroolbark (Monterey Reserve), Clifton Hill v Langwarrin (Quarries Park), Peninsula Strikers v Noble Park Utd (Centenary Park), St Kilda v Seaford Utd (Elwood Park), Skye Utd v Springvale City (Skye Recreational Reserve), Rosebud Heart v Casey Panthers (Truemans Road Recreation Reserve), Chelsea v Baxter (Edithvale Recreation Reserve). Frankston Times 4 July 2016

PAGE 41


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
4 July 2016 by Mornington Peninsula News Group - Issuu