Monash Uni Soccer

MUSC men's first team secured first place on the Provisional League Division One league table at the half-way mark of the season with a gritty 3-0 away win at Old Scotch.

Monash was under pressure early and weathered the storm to survive against the wind in the first 15 minutes, however Old Scotch tested the defensive resolve of Monash by bombing a number of balls into the box which required every effort defensively.

Julio Serrano broke the game open against the run of play after 25 minutes with a screamer from 30 yards which he caught sweetly on the volley and which dipped into the top left corner giving the Old Scotch keeper no chance. Two minutes later Monash doubled the lead when Greg Costaras arrowed a superb header into the top corner of the net from a Liam Johnson corner.

This stunned the home side and Monash began to dominate play with neat passages of passing exposing the hosts and creating good chances for Liam Johnson, who had a good effort saved by the keeper, and then Ariel Salmon who rounded two defenders with sublime skill only to see his shot flash the wrong side of the post.  At the back Vinecombe, Lim and Beck kept things tight and defended well.  Greg Costaras held the ball up well upfront and Nick Mallios was having a good game cleaning up infront of the Monash defence.

In the second half Old Scotch took the game to Monash and were very nearly rewarded when they were awarded a penalty after 55 minutes for an unfortunate handball which spung up awkwardly off the playing surface and hit Mallios' arm.  The spot kick was blasted over the bar and despite having large slices of possession Old Scotch could not find a way through the Monash defence.

Senior Coach Andy Humble introduced Richard Nation on 60 minutes and then Nick Burris on 70 minutes which changed the nature of the game.  Monash sat back and absorbed pressure and found a direct and forward outlet through Nick Burris who worked his socks off and ran the Old Scotch defence ragged. Burris was duly rewarded on 85 minutes when he ran on to a long ball from Rodrigo Beccera and outpaced the Scotch defence before coolly slotting past the advancing keeper to make the final score 3-0.

Overall, a great performance and result from the lads.  Next week is another difficult away match against an experienced Old Camberwell outfit which matched Monash at home in the round 1 draw at home. Go Blues!

Men's reserves reclaimed the top spot on the league ladder by beating third-placed Old Scotch 2-0 at H.A. Smith reserve. Last year's golden boot winner Roy Chan went clear at the top of the scoring charts by claiming the first goal of the game, while Dorjee Gurung got onto the scoresheet for the first time in his debut season at Monash.

Both women's teams - seniors and reserves - suffered losses over the week-end. The seniors were away to fourth-placed Ashburton where they lost 2-0, while the reserves were away to Langwarrin for the 2nd time in 15 days, and once again went down to the hosts with the scoreline of 3-0.

Men's thirds were hoping to reduce the gap between themselves and the top four on the league ladder when they hosted highly skillful but inconsistent Cleeland Utd. Goals from Tim Swenser-Smith and Nivan Weerakkody saw the Thirds lead 2-1 before the visitors equalised with about 20 minutes to go. Monash was further stunned in the last 5 minutes when Cleeland scored on a break-away to earn themselves 3-2 victory.

Despite not playing their best football of the season, the Monash University Colts found a third win of the season, defeating last placed Riversdale 1-0 at home.

A dour first half highlighted only by the occasional free kick and a rare headed opportunity for Neeraj Chadee after an excellent cross from James Taylor. The second half was much more open, with improving interplay by the Colts down both wings, however they were still failing to create opportunities, the best moments coming from some deadly accurate David O'Keeffe set pieces. Pedro Pires found himself with an open goal from a corner but failed to take the opportunity on the volley from 6 yards, before atoning for his error ten minutes later to score the only goal of the match. A pinpoint looping header to the far post from a dubiously won corner enough to give the home side all three points.

Ned Rocke tried to re-create his spectacular effort against Sandringham with a speculative shot from distance, while at the other end a mix-up by Chendi Priyatna gave the visitors a golden opportunity before some excellent defensive work from Pedro Pires and a stunning recovery save from the keeper kept Monash in the lead.

Coming off the bench, Darius Rohanian spurned another brilliant chance to extend the lead from 6 yards after Ned Rocke played 'Ronaldinho' on the wing, juggling it over two defenders before placing a lethal left foot cross on to the strikers left shin-pad. Some further excellent defensive work ensured that one goal would be enough though as the Colts kept their first clean sheet of the season, lifting them to 6th place on the ladder but just 5 points behind first placed Old Melburnians who they play next week.

A near full strength Stallions side took on a surging Old Haileybury on Sunday. Old Haileybury were a fit young side who have been regularly challenging sides at the top of the league table. Expecting a tough match the Stallions were superb in the first half matching Old Haileybury in all aspects of play. 0-0 at half time, an obviously fired up Old Haileybury came out all guns blazing. Continuous pressure, and an inability by Monash to clear the ball finally paid off for the visitors, with their skillful left winger slotting one home.

Old Haileybury visibly eased the pressure after the first goal perhaps thinking the job was done, and the Stallions struck straight back with Pablo converting an Alex Mclean corner. Back on even terms with confidence sky high, the Stallions looked a real chance until the sheer pace of the game began to take its toll. Perhaps giving more than at any other game this season, Monash in the end could just not compete with the fitness of Old Haileybury. By the time the third Monash player headed to the bench with cramps, with several other players barely able to run it was only a matter of time before an exhausted defence let the second goal through.

An excellent diving header into the keeper from Michael Thoman was Monash's last real chance, but the game ended 2-1 to Old Haileybury. The Stallions beaten, but by no means disgraced.