It was a clean sweep for East Gippsland United Football Club last weekend with both the men’s teams chalking up their first wins for the season off the back of success for the junior teams for their first round matches.
Traralgon City travelled to Bairnsdale for its round six Latrobe Valley Soccer League match against the Eagles who after several weeks off due to public holidays and forfeits were keen to get back on the pitch.
There were some early chances for the Eagles but the Traralgon keeper stopped all attempts, with both teams having plenty of time with the ball as they battled for control of the game.
After keeping the Traralgon keeper busy with their attack, Pat Whelan finally broke through with the first goal of the match 35 minutes in.
Returning from the break the Eagles’ second goal came at 53 minutes when Lachlan Feather sent the ball soaring toward the nets.
The ball hit the crossbar and bounced into the goals before bouncing out again.
Ten minutes later Tom Forster snuck around the last defender and shot the ball past the keeper for the Eagles’ third.
Traralgon had some chances but keeper David Pachl stopped all attempts, but as the game neared its conclusion the Eagles lost some momentum and Traralgon began to
take control.
They scored at 87 minutes when, at full stretch, Pachl was able to the block the first attempt, but without any defenders nearby to clear the ball, Traralgon was able to score off the rebound.
Traralgon continued its attack with renewed vigour but the Eagles defenders woke up, hanging on for a well deserved 3-1 victory.
The reserves match started poorly for the Eagles with a Traralgon goal just two minutes in, but the Eagles worked their way into the match, responding with their own after
10 minutes.
With Mason Radley clearing the midfield, Oscar Bury took a shot, the ball hitting the
post before Sean Mamo was able to score off the rebound.
Shortly after Traralgon scored its second goal to retake the lead, the Eagles needing to work hard to regain some composure and settle into the match.
Slowly they managed to wrestle some control and bring the ball forward, only to be blocked by the Traralgon defenders.
Eagles keeper Brendan Dunstan made some early saves in the second half as Traralgon continued attack.
But at 57 minutes a good team effort resulted in Bury slotting the ball through and levelling the score at two-all.
Finally finding some rhythm to their passing, Alex Davision sent the ball into the attacking half shortly after, Bury receiving the ball, passing to Kyle Hood who took the ball to the box, flipping it across the front of the nets where debutant David Le slotted the ball into the back of the nets for the Eagles’ third goal.
With only minutes remaining, the Eagles were able to fend off the Traralgon attack to take the win 3-2.
The under 16 Blue Eagles took the field at West Bairnsdale Oval with a brand-new team with all players moving up from the under 13s, but there were no nerves, getting off to a flying start against Churchill Black with a goal in the first minute by striker Seth Giuffrida-Love.
Churchill was quick to reply with a shot at goal, however this was well saved by Eagles keeper Rahsa Long.
With captain Jett McLeod-Kourie out injured, vice captain Robbie Christie stepped up into the role and was instrumental in the midfield ensuring the Eagles had control of the game for the majority of the first half.
After numerous shots at goal, Harrison Dingwall managed to kick an almighty goal from just forward of centre, which got the crowd up and about.
Shortly after Dingwall and Christie worked together to enable the latter to score another goal for the Eagles.
Despite Churchill’s best efforts, the Eagles’ strong defence managed to intercept all of Churchill’s attacking attempts and shots at goal, though it did manage to get one through late in the first half.
In the second half Giuffrida-Love’s speed and determination gave the Eagles the next four goals giving the team a strong lead.
This did not stop Churchill’s efforts and attempts at goal, however they were stopped by the continual strong defensive work by key defender Kobi Overy and Long.
In the final minutes of the game some unselfish play by Dingwall passing to the Eagles’ smallest player Ben Bodsworth saw him
kick the final goal, who were comprehensive 8-1 winners.
The coach’s player of the match went to Giuffrida-Love, not just for his five goals but for his continual hard work, determination, exceptional team work and game awareness.
The under 16 Gold’s first game of the season against Churchill United Black in Churchill started evenly, but the tides soon turned with the Eagles Gold also winning the game 8-1.
At the two minute mark Max Bailey launched an attack from the defence, surging down the wing and passing off to Harry Storer,
who was unfortunately shut down by
Churchill’s defence.
The Eagles struck first at the 15-minute mark when Rustan Bazley passed to Lucas McDonald, who found the back of the net.
This set the tone for the rest of the match, the team attempted numerous shots during the first half, however, the second goal was not achieved until the 39th minute when Storer successfully scored.
In the second half the Eagles dominated with goal attempts, while its defenders prevented Churchill from any opportunities.
At 57 minutes keeper Spencer Bastian kicked in to Jordyn Mamo, who passed to Storer for a successful left-side goal.
The team has a balanced integration of seasoned and novice players, who teamed better as the match progressed, with defenders actively participating in offensive plays, advancing along the wings to attempt shots at goal.
With six goals scored by the Eagles in the second half, Churchill had little time but managed to score in the 74th minute.The Eagles under 13 completed the clean sweep, winning their match against Sale United 4-3.
In this week’s matches the senior teams
will host Newborough-Yallourn on Sunday, the under 16 Blue side plays Fortuna at
Crinigan Road in Morwell on Saturday,
while the Gold side hosts Traralgon Olympians at the West Bairnsdale Oval. The
under 13s venture to Traralgon to take on
Traralgon City Purple.
