On Sunday Gippsland United's under 14 team put on a strong performance against Port Melbourne Sharks at Latrobe City Sports Stadium in Morwell in a 0-0 draw.
From the opening whistle, the team played with intensity, showcasing one of their best starts of the season.
Defensively, Gippsland was solid throughout the match, especially in the second half.
Harmon Bates and Isaac Sharp were standout performers, showing excellent positioning, physicality and timing to keep Port Melbourne at bay. In the final minutes, their composure helped ensure the clean sheet, as they expertly shut down the Sharks' attempts to score.
A special mention must go to goalkeeper Sam Cuschieri, who delivered a fantastic performance between the posts. Cuscheri made several crucial saves, particularly during Port Melbourne's late surge. His quick reflexes and confident handling kept the opposition at arm's length, securing a vital clean sheet for the team.
In midfield, Blake Breheny and Aidan Izlemek controlled the tempo of the game. Both players worked tirelessly to break up play, dictate possession, and create attacking opportunities. Their vision and work rate allowed Gippsland to maintain momentum throughout the match.
In attack, Jonathan Sulyman, Hudson Riess, and Lewis Manzo formed a dynamic trio, constantly troubling Port Melbourne's defence. All three were attacking well, using their physicality to create space and openings.
Despite their best efforts, they were unlucky not to find the back of the net, as they came close on several occasions.
Overall, it was a great team performance, with every player contributing to the success.
The spirit of support and encouragement between teammates was evident throughout the game, creating a positive atmosphere on the field. While it's impossible to name everyone, the collective effort was key to this strong performance.
Gippsland United's under 14s will look to build on this result in their next match this Sunday at 12:20pm against Nunawading City at Mahoney's Reserve.
The United under 12s played away against Lynbrook Falcons, where they were defeated 0-1
United dominated play from the get-go, and if it was a boxing match, it would have been called early in their favour. A number of opportunities were created, they just couldn't find the back of the net.
Lynbrook didn't present much threat up front, but made no mistake when they caught United on the break and put it away to take the lead 1-0.
United continued to get on top around the pitch and Jimmy Duncan slotted one in, only to be paid by the referee and later disallowed in what can be described as a highly controversial decision.
Time was against United, and the final whistle blew before they could claim any points.
Coach Steve Riess told the boys that "he's proud of the football they played, and that they'd take the lessons out of the loss."