Monash Uni Soccer

The Mens Seniors and Reserves had a week off for the Queens birthday weekend, but the men's 3rds teams and the women's reserves were playing in the catch-up round.

The Monash University Colts picked up their second win of the season with a hard fought victory over Central Park AC Malvern, courtesy of an excellent comeback. Monash dominated the early stages, and created the first real chance of the match, as a Sam Habteslassie cross was turned into the path of David O'Keeffe, who shot wide. Against the run of play, an unlucky free kick on the edge of the box saw the Colts go a goal behind after 15 minutes, but they refused to drop their heads however, and were back on level terms shortly after. A Tom Millard corner resulted in a goal mouth scramble, before the ball was turned in at the far post by the shin of Scott Josey. The Colts took their newfound momentum and continued to attack, Tom Millard nearly connecting with a brilliant cross by Kenichi Sugeta. But they took the lead 10 minutes before the break, a poorly cleared corner falling to Ned Rocke who found the top corner with an absolute stunner from 30 yards. An injury to Tom Millard shortly before half-time was the only other downside for the Colts in a very competitive match. Some excellent defending from Sam Woff and Scott Josey ensured a second half clean sheet, whilst centre back turned striker, Sam Habteslassie, and Kenichi Sugeta both went close at the other end. However despite a tense final few minutes, the Colts hung on for a much needed 2-1 victory.

The Stallions last played Brandon Park in a practice match at the start of the season for a 2-1 defeat in very rough, wet and windy conditions. The question to be answered last weekend was whether history would repeat itself on a flat pitch, in very agreeable weather. The answer was a definite "yes and with interest". The cancerous hate that our opposition have for the Monash way of life erupted like a festering sore in a torrent of goals that crushed any hope of Stallion redemption.

Perhaps expecting the dimished attacks of previous teams, our defence was stung early with two goals by the speedy Brandon Park forward line. Never looking entirely comfortable the Monash defence held for the remainder of the half.

The second half saw definite improvement from the Stallions with all aspects of their game stepping up. A missed penalty shot hit straight into the keeper ruined a very useful display from the imported gun Julio Serrano. A dive in the box earned Michael Jhooman both a penalty shot (for the trip) and a yellow card (for the acting). Another penalty shot, and another shot straight into the keeper, Michael however followed his shot up to put Monash onto the scoreboard. 

With Alex McLean peppering the goals from the wing, and Chatai with a dangerous cameo role at striker, it was a disappointing day to finally go down 4-1.