United draws in thrilling opener on new surface

Warragul United and Eltham Redbacks battled out a three-all draw in front of a massive home crowd at the newly upgraded Baxter Park in round 15 of Men’s State League 1 action on Saturday.

It was a momentous occasion for not only the Warragul United Soccer Club, but also the Baw Baw Shire. The day marked the grand opening of the $2.1 million shire funded synthetic playing field.

Mayor Danny Goss, various members of council, club president Peter O’Dea and a host of VIP guests were present to officially open the ‘state of the art’ facility which includes fully fenced surrounds, concrete steps and ramps with handrails traversing through the famous Baxter Park hill leading all the way up to the clubrooms. There is no better place in all of Victoria to view a sporting event than being perched at the very top of that hallowed hill and to finally witness a match of such high standard on a magnificent playing surface was a sight to behold indeed.

The sun was shining, and a large band of supporters had gathered to watch what would be a thrilling contest and United’s first back on home soil since their last pre-Covid game back in early 2019.

The stage had been set and the players were fully ‘plugged in’ to the magnitude of the day and the task in front of them.

Eltham had derailed Warragul back in round four but since that time United had regrouped and had now put together an unbeaten run of six matches.

They had the luxury of a quality senior list that were in impeccable form and level of fitness. If the Redback’s thought they could come to town and dismantle the home side with little resistance they were very wrong!

Warragul’s senior team, led by captain Nathan Lugton, walked proudly down the new steps and through an arch of red and black balloons at the entrance to the ground, with each player holding the hand of a member of the club’s mini-roos program, which was held earlier in the day, as mascots for the afternoon.

Young Steffen Aboltins started in goals for his fourth ever senior game and was supported by centre backs Lugton and Mitch Jones, who had been in fine touch of late.

Sammy Gatpan lined up on the left side of defence again and fellow wing-back Oscar Sheehan, who was back after serving a one match ban for amassing five yellow cards started on the right.

Coach Paul Cooper opted for a 4-3-3 formation on the day, bringing back striker Rory Wagner to the starting line-up after he also served a week’s suspension for a controversial red card against Mornington. He would be partnered up front with Henri Scott who is in electrifying form at the minute, and Germaine Ortieno who was instrumental in last week’s thrilling win at Malvern.

The midfield trio consisted of the surefooted Baley Row, skilled attacking midfielder Bryson Tanti and the smooth operator Matt Masselli.

Riley Dastey, who’d had a great tussle last week was listed as fresh sub alongside the talented Xavier Nardone.

Oscar Sceney and Connor Dastey rounded out the bench. Both players having performed at a high level in the reserves game prior.

The game started and it was immediately apparent that the quality of the surface played a major role in lifting the standard of the football.

Touches were crisp, passes were firm and direct and the pace of the game was intense.

Warragul looked majestic and controlled the game from the outset. It was Eltham, against the run of play, who would score first however after a cross from the left was not dealt with leaving an Eltham player with an open target to hit.

United gathered stock and continued to play a measured and possession-based brand of football. Henri Scott came close as the crowd urged the ball to cross the line, then shortly after, a dashing Germaine Ortieno was tripped in the box and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty.

Rory Wagner, who had threaded the initial ball through to his fellow striker, stepped up and as casually as you like, placed the ball in the corner to equalise.

The large home crowd seemed to invigorate the boys and just before the break they went ahead.

Keeper Aboltins rolled the ball out wide to his right. Oscar Sheehan’s first time pass inside found Baley Row’s advance. He took a quick touch and struck a glorious long ball forward that caught the Eltham centre back napping and Henri Scott made no mistake this time as he rounded the keeper to slot home.

In the second half United continued their dominance, however the Redback’s were not done. They drew level when a long throw, that was not cleared in United’s penalty area, fell to a fortunate Eltham forward who, with a little luck, lashed at a bouncing ball and found the net.

As the fog rolled in, Warragul scored their third, sending the crowd into rapture. United took a quick short corner. Baley Row rolled the ball to Matt Maselli who fired a laser to the back post where Henri Scott leaped like Michael Jordan to meet a header that gave the flapping keeper no chance.

Surely now a dominant United would hold out for a dramatic win?

It wasn’t to be as Eltham refused to go away. They would score again after another mis-managed cross fell to a fortunate Redback.

A clearing header careered dangerously towards keeper Aboltins who could only parry it away from goal where an awaiting opponent was loitering. Much like their first goal, he banged it into an unguarded net. Scores tied at three apiece.

Big Rory Wagner, who had played well and was dangerous with his height and touch, had a chance to ice the game in the dying seconds. A sumptuous ball in from skipper Lugton found Wagner at the edge of the six-yard box. His header flew over the bar in what was a real chance to win it. The roof would have lifted if he had of scored, such was the excitement from an adoring crowd of supporters.

The game ended 3-3. Two points lost for United rather than one gained. Warragul were clearly the better team. They now extended their unbeaten run of games to seven.