Knights secure two premierships

SENIOR Women’s Grand Final: Leongatha Knights FC v Wonthaggi.

The Gippsland Soccer League hosted its grand final day at Lang Lang Soccer Club on Sunday, September 17. 

The Senior Women’s game saw unbeaten league champions Leongatha Knights take on second on the ladder finishers Wonthaggi Soccer Club. 

With the sun and wind playing havoc on playing conditions, it was set to be an interesting and entertaining match. 

Wonthaggi kicked with the wind in the first half and set up many attacking runs through their star striker Alicia. 

However, Leongatha’s counterattack through young Lisse Bath proved fatal with Bath scoring the first goal of the match. Wonthaggi hit back fast with a breakthrough run from their striker sending an on shot strike that was saved by Leongatha Knights goalkeeper Bethany Milkins outstretched toe. 

A one all score at half time kept the game lively as both teams battled the sun and fatigue to keep up attacking runs. However, the dominating midfield of Naomi Eaton and Jasmine Garry again worked its magic getting excellent balls through to the forward line. 

Most Valuable Player of the match Lisse Bath went on to score an impressive four more goals in a ripper day up front. Wonthaggi secured another in the net with a strong break of the Knights defensive line. 

However, it wasn’t enough to keep the Lady Knights at bay as they ended the match back-to-back champions. Congratulations to coach Peter Milkins and his team. 

Senior Men’s Grand Final: Leongatha Knights FC v Trafalgar.

At 3.15pm, the hotly anticipated matchup between league champions Trafalgar Victory and the underdogs Leongatha Knights FC kicked off and it was a stellar match to watch. 

With equal possession and attacking runs it was hard to determine an advantage to 
either team early on as Knights forward Hayden Clark caused some concern up front for the Trafalgar defence. 
However, it was a scrambled attack on Trafalgar that saw Leongatha Knights junior substitute James Heneghan score with the support of a roaring crowd. 

Trafalgar were not to be deterred but Leongatha’s backline centre backs John Stephen and Ed Benedict and fullback Jack Bainbridge confidently disrupted their possession. 

A half time lead saw the Knights cautiously optimistic and determined to get the win. 

Heading back to the pitch with an unchanged formation but a plan to mitigate fatigue the Knights were determined to make club history. 

Midfielders Ethan Bath and captain Sven Gebele battled it out against a strong Trafalgar lineup with the wing runs off Aidan Hall and Henry Mbuthia ensuring the ball moved forward in Leongatha’s favour. 

Darcy Johnstone and Luke Knights in their switching play brought renewed energy to the attack. 

Despite Trafalgar leading the majority of the attacking runs in the final 15 minutes, Leongatha Knights goalkeeper Chris Gale proved unbeaten in goals, performing a number of magnificent saves along with his backline to maintain a clean sheet. Junior River Thomas and Aidan Scott provided respite for a hard-fought Leongatha defence and a magic last five minutes from Deaf World Cup bound Sam Bainbridge ensured that Leongatha safety ended the match with their first ever grand final win with Leongatha’s John Stephen being awarded the player of the match. 

Coach Bethany Milkins continues to make league history as the first female to coach a Senior Men’s team to a grand final win. 

Congratulations Leongatha Knights FC on taking out both senior cups.

Dragon’s upset Inverloch Stars

DROUIN and Inverloch took to the pitch in hot and blustery conditions to battle it out in the Gippsland Soccer League Under 12a Grand Final 2023.

Drouin came out strong with midfielder Max Lyons scoring in the first ten minutes. Despite creating strong plays through the centre and breaking through to the Drouin defence, Inverloch were not able to convert. The Drouin defence was too tidy, with strong central midfielder Caleb Brown shutting down attacks and goalkeeper Will Martin confidently scooping up Inverloch’s shots.  Half time finished with Drouin 1 - Inverloch 0.

After some half time fruit Inverloch came out a different side. Inverloch’s midfield passed forward as a unit to let Teerawhat Panyo break through and score an equaliser in the first five minutes.

After another 10 minutes of play a long range shot from midfielder Ben Bellairs hit the back of the net bringing Inverloch into the lead, but not for long. Some fast footwork from Drouin striker Tom Stevenage bringing the scores level again, then just one minute later it was Panyo (proving anything you can do I can do too) who brought Inverloch up.

Now the intensity really picked up, spectators felt like they were watching tennis rather than football. Both teams drove hard out of their defence and pushed forward at every opportunity.

Inverloch’s Flynn Toomey worked tirelessly to run the ball forward up the wing, but the Drouin defence stayed strong and held off some neat plays.

Inverloch goalkeeper Lachlan Moore performed some spectacular saves under pressure from a string of attacks from the Drouin midfield. In the end Drouin midfielder Peter Brandeggen-Taylor broke through to convert, bringing the scores level in the last two minutes of full time play.

Overtime brough no relief for supporters, both teams again proving how evenly matched these teams are, scores remained three apiece and the game headed into penalty shootouts. Both goalkeepers showed fantastic skills managing to defend shots, however it was Drouin who remained calm under pressure and came out victorious. The end of the match saw both teams participate in a giant group hug, cheering for what they knew had been a hotly contested game of football. Congratulations to Drouin Dragons Maroon!