THE Gippsland Soccer League Grand Final was held on Sunday, September 22 at Bellbird Park in Drouin. The Drouin Dragon showcased their new facilities, with a revitalised main pitch and brand-new clubrooms. The weather held off for the more than 900 supporters who watched the action throughout the day.
With three pitches of action throughout the day, seven of the nine GSL clubs had teams competing for the final’s trophies.
This year was the inaugural Under 13 Girls division. The match was a closely contested battle between this year’s dual league champions, Korumburra City and Wonthaggi United. Korumburra’s Zara Nobile scored in the first half to put Korumburra in the lead, and try as they might, Wonthaggi were unable to find the net. The second half did not have any goals scored, with Korumburra securing the win 1-0. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Skye Fisher of Wonthaggi United.
After an upset during the week in the Mens Reserves division when Phillip Island Breakers were disqualified from the Grand Final, Trafalgar Victory and Drouin Dragons Maroon took to the pitch. This match kept everyone guessing until the last moment. In the last few minutes of the first half, Drouin’s Lasaro Tuimateo blasted the ball past Trafalgar keeper Lachlan Wyatt to put them in the lead.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Trafalgar’s Cameron Wyatt equalised the scores. The match looked to be heading to extra time when again, in the last few minutes Lasaro scored his second goal bringing Drouin into the lead once again. A last-ditch effort to equalise by Trafalgar fell short, and Drouin Dragons Maroon walked off the pitch as the winners. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Lasaro Tuimateo of Drouin Dragons.
The Under 12A Mixed match was between the Phillip Island Penguins and Drouin Dragons Maroon. Drouin hit the ground running and issued the challenge to Phillip Island by scoring three goals in the first half. Phillip Island coach Liam Jury rallied his players and told them they could win the second half. His players answered the call and scored four goals in the second half, while Drouin managed another three goals. In the end, Drouin took the win with a 6-4 final score. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Jimmy Joyce-Bliss of Drouin Dragons.
League champions Korumburra City played Leongatha Knights in the Under 14 Mixed match. Leongatha had nothing to lose and took an early lead with a goal by Noah Bowman. Buoyed on by the crowd, Noah snuck a second goal into the net with Leongatha going into the half time break 2-0. Korumburra stepped up in the second half, with Jonah Foster scoring for Korumburra, but in the end could not get on top of their opponents. Leongatha walked away with the win 2-1. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Noah Bowman of Leongatha Knights.
Big crowds lined the pitch for the Under 12B Mixed match between Inverloch Stars and Drouin Dragons Yellow. Inverloch supporters came in force, with placards and streamers supporting their players. This support spurred the Inverloch players to bring their best game, with them taking the win over Drouin 5-0. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Jack Hynd of Inverloch Stars.
In the Senior Women Leongatha Knights and Phillip Island Breakers took to the pitch in high spirits. The women always have a friendly rivalry, with both teams capable of taking the win. Leongatha scored an early goal eight minutes in off the boot of Amaya Sande. Phillip Island kept up the pressure and Phillip Island captain, Kelly Wall, equalised the score halfway through the first half. Young gun, Tiki Reed from Phillip Island snuck a goal in toward the end of the first half, with Phillip Island up 2-1 at the break. The second half was very even with both teams scoring a goal each, and Phillip Island taking home the cup after a 3-2 win. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Kelly Wall of Phillip Island Breakers.
The Under 17 Mixed match was an interclub match with Drouin Dragons Maroon playing Drouin Dragons Maroon Yellow. Drouin supporters lined the fences, to cheer both teams on. Drouin Dragons Maroon managed to secure the win 2-1. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Luca Attard.
The Senior Men took the pitch at 4pm with Phillip Island Breakers playing Drouin Dragons. Drouin laid down the challenge early on with 2 goals in the first 10 minutes. Phillip Island regrouped and Ben Taylor scored their first goal halfway in the first half, but they remained one goal short going into the break with Drouin in the lead 3-2. Both teams found the net in the second half, but Drouin claimed the cup with the final result Drouin 4, Phillip Island 3. The Most Valuable Player of the match was Aaron Patchett of Drouin Dragons.
All three Senior matches were live streamed, with over 1000 views throughout the day. The Gippsland Soccer League thank Drouin Dragons for hosting the Grand Final, Valley Trophy Centre for their sponsorship and supplying all the trophies and medals, MDR Digital Images for the live stream and photography.
Local sport does not happen without volunteers and the hours they contribute. To all the players, supporters, volunteers and referees, thank you and we look forward to seeing you next season.
Gippsland Soccer League Grand Final Results – Sunday, September 22
Senior Mens: Drouin Dragons Maroon 4 d Phillip Island Breakers 3
Senior Womens: Phillip Island Breakers 3 d Leongatha Knights 2
Mens Reserves: Drouin Dragons Maroon 2 d Trafalgar Victory 1
Under 17 Mixed: Drouin Dragons Maroon 2 d Drouin Dragons Maroon Yellow 1
Under 14 Mixed: Leongatha Knights 2 d Korumburra City 1
Under 13 Girls: Korumburra City 1 d Wonthaggi United 0
Under 12a Mixed: Drouin Dragons Maroon 6 d Phillip Island Penguins 4
Under 12b Mixed: Inverloch Stars 5 d Drouin Dragons Yellow 0
