By Steve Fleming
The Valley turned on the wintery charm this weekend as the Yarra Valley Soccer Club hosted 4 senior games at the Millgrove Recreation Reserve in glorious sunshine.
The YVSC women’s team played the Maroondah United Emeralds on Pitch 1 and came under sustained attack in the first half. The Emeralds launched wave after wave of forward runs through the middle and down the wings to score 4 goals to the YVSC’s lone goal.
YVSC regrouped in the second half and both teams scored one apiece, but the damage had been done and Maroondah won the afternoon 5-2.
Meanwhile, on Pitch 2, the YVSC Premier Reserves were conducting a goalscoring clinic, with the Eastern United Second XI on the receiving end on of a 5-0 thumping.
Anwar Ibrahim scored 3 of the Valley’s 5 in a commanding performance that sees him top the goalscoring table for the division (and equal top in the League) with 16 goals for the season so far.
The second round of matches began on Pitch 1 at 3pm, where the YVSC ‘Thunderthirds’ took on Maroondah United in a battle for both teams to move out of the bottom two. Despite some heroic keeping from Matt Camm in the often firey encounter, it was Maroondah who took honours, downing the Valley team 3-0.
Due to the Junior bye round and a bye for the YVSC Fourths, the final match for the day was played out on Pitch 2 where the YVSC Premier Men’s team battled old rivals Eastern United First XI. The last time the two teams met it was a very physical affair and YVSC coach Dave Ceeney had prepared the team for more of the same.
While a first-half, 4 to 1 goal blitz from the Valley men might have taken the wind out of the contest, to their credit, Eastern came back and scored 3 of their own in the second half. The effort however proved too much and YVSC managed another 2 strikes on target to put the match beyond doubt.
The next time the Seniors play at home, it is hoped the new pavilion will be up and running and is sure to be a festive affair.
