Highlight reel finish when Dalyston hosts Stars

DALYSTON and Garfield substituted normal Saturday football for a highlight reel in the last quarter of their match at Dalyston on the weekend, featuring spectacular marks at both ends of the ground, courageous acts by players and at least one stunning strike by Dalyston’s Curtis Mufett to level the scores halfway through.

The result could have gone either way but, in the end, it was the one that got away for Dalyston with Garfield going on to record two wins from two games, by six points, leaving Daly winless after two rounds.

Dalyston donned their heritage strip for the match and had the first goal of the day through Brad Monson, but the teams traded goals through to the 20 minute mark when Hayden Wallis evened it up at two a-piece.

Thereafter Garfield had the best of it, adding two more goals through Jack Tenace-Greenall and Rhys Murphy who received a peach of a pass from Ben Tenace-Greenall, who had kicked one of the earlier goals.

Dalyston assumed control in the second quarter, after some hard running by Murfett, Jack Legione and co, hitting the front with three goals to nil, via Wallis and Blake Carew with two, the second set up via some great evasive skills by Dino Karamoshos.

The third quarter it was one goal each but Garfield assumed the momentum by peppering the scoring zone for points later in the quarter; Rhys Murphy scored an early one for the Stars, and Max Connell for the Magpies.

Garfield had set up an effective forward press which Dalyston found difficult to penetrate and while Garfield held only a slender lead at the last change, they looked the team most likely.

The last quarter was a ripper with specky marks at both ends, highlighted by a gravity defying leap by Jaxon Foon, within range on the flank.

However, where team mates Will Clarke and Mitch Hallahan had also kicked points in the opening minutes, Foon’s shot went completely astray and the chance to resume control was lost.

With the scores level, Garfield transferred the ball expertly around the boundary to Lachie Spinks on the lead for the tie-breaking goal. Dalyston responded with great forward pressure to keep the Sherrin in their scoring zone where Murfett hit the ball at pace and check-sided an absolute ripper from the boundary.

A hanger by Ben Tenace-Greenall and another by a team mate closer to goal produced more oohs and aahs but a point by the Stars, followed by a goal to Tenace-Greenall gave them breathing space.

Dalyston was still on the attack as the siren sounded, after a snap shot by Clarke hit the post, and the Garfield players went up as one to celebrate a hard-fought victory.

West Gippsland to investigate racial abuse

AN UNDERAGE game at Dalyston on Saturday, between Dalyston and the visiting Garfield club, descended into a physical altercation at one stage after allegations of racial abuse levelled at one Dalyston youngster by a Garfield player.

The incident was immediately referred to West Gippsland FNC operations manager Brett Tessari who was at the Dalyston ground and he confirmed to the Sentinel-Times afterwards that the alleged incident would be investigated.

“I can’t comment at this stage, except to say that the alleged incident will be investigated,” Mr Tessari said.

Details have been provided about which of the games, Thirds or Fourths, was involved and what was allegedly said by the Garfield player but these issues will be the subject of the investigation.