It was another disappointing week for the East Gippsland United Football Club, with both teams going down to Monash Soccer Club on Sunday in round two of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.
Monash took charge of the reserves game from the start, maintaining possessions with controlled passes, finding the gaps in the Eagles’ defence to score its first goal 12 minutes into the match.
With the midfield struggling to hold shape, the Eagles found it difficult to bring the ball forward, and the Monash defence were able to force the turnover on any attempt made.
While the Eagles were plagued by wayward kicks, Monash scored twice more at 20 and 30 minutes.
The closest chance for the Eagles came at the end of the first half from a free kick when Sean Mamo sent the ball over the player wall but it was unfortunately saved by the Monash keeper.
It was a different Eagles team that took to the pitch after the break, taking on board the feedback from coach Jarrah Feather, maintaining their structure and increasing their possession of the ball.
Monash scored quickly in the second half, but the Eagles worked hard at creating better opportunities to bring the ball forward, but the Monash defence was stoic.
However persistence paid off in the dying moments, a corner kick from Bailey Webster put the ball in front of the net, and Rodolfo Da Cruz was able to put it past the keeper to score the Eagles’ only goal for the match.
The final whistle saw Monash taking the game 4-1.
Similar to the reserves, the Monash senior team started the game strongly with three goals in the first 15 minutes, with the Eagles struggling to settle into a rhythm early.
When they gained some composure, it became a battle of the midfielders, with play centred in the middle of the pitch, both sides had runs toward their respective goals, only to be cut off by the defence.
Monash maintained more possession of the ball and scored their fourth goal before half time.
It was a better start for the Eagles in the second half, with a tighter midfield and controlled passes, which increased scoring opportunities but the pressure from the Monash defence saw the shots go wide.
Monash scored its fifth goal with a cracking shot that flew past the Eagles’ keeper Lui Albornoz and followed it up with another 10 minutes later.
The Eagles’ accuracy improved but the Monash keeper did his job, stopping all attempts.
Scoring the seventh goal at 83 minutes, Monash was able to take the win easily, keeping the Eagles scoreless.
The Eagles next match will be on April 7 at home against Falcons 2000.
