By Solomon Nash
WITH only three matches remaining in the 2024 Men’s State League One season, Gippsland United hit the road for their final away trip of the campaign.
Their travels took them to Kooyong Park where they faced Malvern City FC.
Off the back of a hard-fought nil all draw last week against Mornington SC, United’s seniors posted another valiant display against fifth-placed Malvern to claim a consecutive 0-0 draw.
In a season where results haven’t gone United’s way in seniors, two draws at this late stage of the campaign to ensure they remain away from Casey in last place, is nothing short of crucial.
18-year-old Levi Colantuono had another terrific performance in the middle of the park for United off the back of his full senior starting debut last weekend.
Riley Hamilton and Cooper Farr again partnered each other at the centre of United’s backline, rightfully earning their second clean sheet in as many games.
This feat wouldn’t have been possible without the tremendous goalkeeping exploits of Aiden Riley who stood up yet again for United, making some spectacular saves.
It was an overall spirited team effort from United to keep out a strong Malvern side to claim a valuable point.
During the game, Nonda Lazaris and Lucus Vick came off the bench at separate intervals in play to make their first senior appearance for the club.
Both players have played a huge role in the success of United’s reserves this year, and therefore they were trustfully given the nod by coach Stephen Maselli in the senior domain.
However, on the day, it was all about United’s reserves as they clinched a second consecutive league title with two games to spare.
Going into match week twenty, United had a five-point gap over Eltham in second and a seven-point buffer over South Springvale in third.
Advantageously for United, Eltham and Springvale were playing each other meaning one outfit would lose points in the title race.
Best best-case scenario for United would be a draw between the two sides, if they held their end of the bargain up at Kooyong Park, the gap to Eltham in second would increase to seven points with two games remaining, meaning they would become champions with two games to go.
This best-case scenario is exactly what transpired, as Eltham and Springvale drew nil all and United defeated Malvern 0-3.
After an uncharacteristically below-average start in the first half by United, they would enter the change rooms with the score locked at 0-0 at the break in play.
It is safe to say that it was a game of two halves, as United went on to score three goals with no reply to win the game.
Some inspiring and encouraging words from Coach Jason Dastey plus the half-time substitute of Daniel Edey that paid dividends, saw United cruise past Malvern in the end.
After returning from a brief break from football, Edey who was last year’s league-leading goal scorer and an ever-present talisman for United, put his mark on proceedings almost immediately.
Off the back of a more promising start to the second half compared to the first for United, Edey picked up the ball in some space about 25 yards out from goal.
In typical Daniel Edey fashion, he shot from outside the area and his effort was pinpoint and sublime, to say the least.
It was a magnificent curling effort off that right boot of his that undid Malvern and broke the deadlock.
The ball nestled into the top right corner and United were on the board.
Fifteen minutes later United doubled their advantage through Paul Cooper.
Edey was again involved, but this time he turned provider from a free kick.
The set piece from United’s halftime super sub was delivered perfectly into the box and Paul Cooper connected with his header sweetly, rifling the ball into the bottom right corner.
United’s third and final goal was from another set piece, this time a corner kick.
Edey, the creator in chief yet again, found Paul Cooper at the back post.
The scorer of United’s second goal headed the ball back across the face of the goal followed by two more headers, first from Julian Colantuono who found Lucus Vick who flicked the ball past the keeper.
United were simply irresistible in front of goal in the second half and did enough to earn a clean sheet too.
This took their points total to 50 as they made their way into the changing rooms and sang their song loud and proudly.
After some time had passed and the senior game had kicked off, the news broke that Eltham and South Springvale drew, meaning United were champions.
Champions again, two years in a row, this time with two games to spare.
United’s reserves will now get to revel in their glory and relish their achievement during the final two games of which both are at home.
Next week’s fixture against South Springvale will be under the lights at Baxter Park and you won’t want to miss this slice of history that United have just achieved.
This Saturday, August 31 Gippsland United’s reserves will be presented the league trophy at the conclusion of their game that commences at 4pm.
The senior fixture kicking off at 6.15pm will then follow before celebrations flow long into the night.