In the last game of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League home and away season, East Gippsland United played host to ladder leaders Fortuna.
The seniors started as a relatively even match with play in both halves, the Eagles able to bring the ball into their forward half to create opportunities but the ball was stopped by the Fortuna keeper.
Eagles’ keeper Lui Albornoz was doing the same down the other end with the Fortuna attackers keeping him and the defenders busy.
Fortuna scored its first goal 19 minutes in but Albornoz read the ball well to save a penalty shot shortly after.
A free kick for the Eagles taken by Jaydon Steele unfortunately went wide as Fortuna pressed hard on the Eagles’ defence, breaking through for their second goal at 38 minutes.
The second half started with an early chance for Fortuna from a corner kick which was kept out but they scored their third goal shortly after when the ball hit the post and rebounded in.
The Eagles followed this up with their own goal a few minutes later when Lachlan Feather brought ball down the ground and passed it across to Lachlan Dare, whose shot was blocked by the keeper, but Oscar Bury was well placed to take advantage of the rebound and sent the ball past the keeper into the net.
The goal lifted the Eagles’ energy as they continued to fight for possession, which in turn spurred on Fortuna.
Determined to retain their ladder position, their play became more physical as they stormed through the Eagles, continuing to score.
The Eagles were unable to convert from the opportunities they created and had little answer for Fortuna’s aggressive style of play.
Down to 10 players after player injuries exhausted available substitutions, the Eagles did their best to stop the onslaught but Fortuna finished the game with an 8-1 win.
The Fortuna reserves have been undefeated this season so the Eagles knew they had a tough game ahead of them.
With a defensive playing formation and Jaydon Steele in the nets, the players took to the pitch determined to do their best in front of a parochial home crowd.
Fortuna took control early, pressing forward and looking dangerous in front the nets.
With four defenders across the back supporting the keeper, the Eagles had to work hard to stop the Fortuna attack.
Fortuna scored at 17 minutes but the pressure from the Eagles ensured other shorts went wide.
There were a couple of chances for the Eagles but they were saved by the Fortuna keeper.
Returning from the break, Fortuna scored its second goal at 55 minutes.
In an increasingly physical match, Fortuna’s frustration at the Eagles competitiveness was clearly evident.
The Eagles continued to persevere but the Fortuna defenders blocked all Eagles’ attempts to get the ball further forward.
A red card at 73 minutes left the Eagles with only 10 players on the pitch and the Eagles were in danger of imploding.
But the players regrouped and continued to frustrate the opposition’ attempts to increase their score.
The Eagles were unfortunate not to score but put in a huge effort. They kept Fortuna scoreless for the rest of the match.
