The Latrobe Valley Soccer League Battle of Britain Cup semi finals were played last Sunday with East Gippsland United taking on Fortuna.
Going in as the underdogs, the Eagles put in a strong performance and a great team effort to make Fortuna work hard for the win.
Fortuna scored first with a goal at three minutes when a pass across the front the nets was slotted in behind Eagles’ keeper Lui Albornoz with no one on the back post to stop it.
But the Eagles scored their first goal three minutes later when Jaydon Steele was able to take advantage of a keeper fumble when Fortuna played the ball back.
The Eagles played well, consistently working the ball into their forward half but further shots at goals by Brandon Ginty and Piti Sakunpriti were saved by the opposition keeper.
Fortuna scored its second goal 14 minutes in.
Oscar Bury had a great run with the ball up the wing but the Fortuna defenders pushed him too far to allow for a decent shot.
Ginty, Sakunpriti and Ben Gillard were consistent in the midfield, directing the ball to the wingers and creating scoring opportunities but Fortuna continually forced the turnover.
While they may not have had the same number of chances, Fortuna were able to maximise the opportunities they had, scoring twice more before Jaydon Steele won the fight for possession on the side line, keeping the ball in play.
Steele’s pass to Ginty at the top of the box saw Ginty slot the ball into the back of the net.
Ginty scored his second eight minutes later, shooting the ball past the keeper.
But Fortuna scored again from a penalty before the end of the half.
The second half started with goal from Fortuna and the Eagles changed their formation to try and combat their attack.
The Eagles continued to push forward making sure the Fortuna keeper was kept busy.
A strong attack at goals was thwarted when a Fortuna supporter’s dog ran on to the pitch and play had to be stopped while it was retrieved.
At 69 minutes a scramble in front the nets from a corner kick saw Fortuna take its tally to seven.
Despite time running out and fatigue setting in, the Eagles continued to fight until the end with further scoring attempts from Ginty, Steele and Kyal Hood unfortunately not successful.
The game may have ended with Fortuna winning 7-3, but the score was not reflective of the Eagles’ effort during the match.
With the season now over for the men, their attention will turn to the Mallacoota Cup on the first weekend in October and as well as the club’s annual summer sevens competition.
