Draw for injury-hit United seniors

by Solomon Nash
Gippsland United's senior and reserves men squads travelled to the Peninsula in matchweek 19 of their State League One campaign to face Mornington.
The senior squad had been ravaged by injuries and suspensions with almost half a dozen players missing from the line-up fielded a week prior at home against Eltham.
This, however, gave starting berths and the chance to step up to the plate in the senior domain to the likes of Harrison Bettridge, Cooper Farr and Cooper Coleman.
Industrious 18-year-old midfielder Levi Colantuono made his senior starting debut, playing the entire 90 minutes, displaying a very impressive performance.
On top of their challenges with personnel, the fixture was also played at a revised venue in Rosebud, as Mornington's home ground was deemed unplayable.
During the week in the build-up, both kick-off times were pushed back to 4pm and 6pm for reserves and seniors respectively.
In match week eight, United's seniors successfully defeated Mornington at home 2-0.
This time out, with a much different line-up, setting and circumstances, United rallied to a nil-all draw away from home.
Whilst there were no goals to excite the traveling Gippsland supporters, anyone knowing of the teams situation showed their appreciation for the players and coaches at full time, as this was a precious point earnt, especially at this late stage in the season.
Chances for either team to score across the entirety of the game were few and far between.
One of their best opportunities for United fell to Baley Row early in proceedings.
After Mornington's keeper left his goal to beat Rory Wagner to the ball, Row had a chance to shoot. With the keeper in no man's land, it was a golden opportunity to score.
Row put his shot on target but was denied by the heroics of a Mornington defender who cleared the ball off the line.
Up the other end of the pitch, Aiden Riley stood tall for United on multiple occasions.
He exhibited his goalkeeping prowess to make some important saves which proved vital in helping earn his side a clean sheet.
Germaine Otieno and Alex Popp replaced Thomas Ahmadzai and Baley Row late in the second half, as coach Stephen Maselli rearranged his lineup for one final push to win the game.
But the match would end scoreless and on the balance of play, no one could argue with the result.
This draw increases United's points total to 13 from 19 games this season.
This was also United's second last away game of 2024, their last being this weekend as they set foot on Kooyong Park to face Malvern City.
Earlier in the campaign, United drew 1-1 with Malvern at home meaning the sides will be gearing up for another close encounter come Saturday.
Reserves
Gippsland United's reserves extended their unbeaten run to 12 games on the weekend as they put away Mornington in convincing fashion, defeating their hosts 1-6.
The first period of play was evenly matched as United opened the scoring through the combination of Brody Demagistris and Germaine Otieno.
It was a simple cross and header that put them ahead and it seemed like business as usual for the league leaders.
But Mornington had been threatening United's backline and eventually reaped the rewards for their efforts as they equalised from a corner.
Mornington capitalised on some poor organisation by United at this particular corner kick, as the ball was whipped to the back post and prodded over the line from close range.
There wasn't much separating the sides on the balance of play in the first half, however United would go on to regain the lead just before the break.
Right full back for United Harry Tosch strode with the ball into space and as he neared the edge of the box, it looked like he was shaping to shoot from distance.
But Tosch had other ideas, as he picked out Nonda Lazaris on the far side of the box, who took a touch across his body and finished with his weaker left foot into the top right corner with aplomb.
An important and impressive passage of play for United that carved open Mornington's backline and saw the momentum shift heavily in United's favour.
The league leaders then asserted their status right from the get go in the second half.
Julian Colantuono made it three for United as he curled a right-footed effort from the edge of the box into the top right corner of the net.
Brody Demagistris then got a quickfire double, the first of which he finished off at the back post and the other being a long-range attempt catching Mornington's keeper off his line.
United then put the icing on the cake when substitute Lucus Vick assisted fellow sub Beau Finlayson for the sixth and final goal United would score.
It was quite a damning and ruthless second half display from United who made their intentions clear with now only three games remaining.
If they manage to win two of the final three games they are guaranteed to be champions regardless of what Eltham and South Springvale do.
If results go their way, they could be celebrating back to back league titles this coming weekend with two games to spare.
History beckons and certainly lies in their hands.
United face Malvern away in matchweek 20.
Many of the players will remember the thriller of a game they played out last year at Kooyong park.
The game had penalties, a red card, late goals and plenty of drama, finally ending in a 2-3 victory for United.
This time they will plan for a much more straightforward path to three points as they edge closer and closer to retaining the title.