Sport
16 May, 2025
Late goals doom Maryborough to 5-0 loss
The Maryborough Soccer Club brought the battle to the Corangamite Lions, but ultimately fell short at Jubilee Oval, losing 5-0.
After claiming their first victory in 2025 with a 2-1 result away from home to the Creswick Cougars, Maryborough had a decent shot of winning back-to-back games against the Lions.
The blue and whites had a fantastic chance early to break the deadlock when Brett Davey was taken out by Corangamite keeper Eamon Magee just outside the box inside five minutes.
Luke Bucknall stepped up to take the free kick from about 25 yards, but the Corangamite wall did well to block Bucknall’s attempt and clear the danger.
Maryborough created some other windows of opportunity from corners and long throws, but as the first half wore on, the Lions took control of the contest, effectively trapping possession in their attacking half.
Intensely the pressure built on the blue and whites, and eventually in the 24th minute, they cracked thanks to a brilliant free kick from Lions talisman Roman Fachetti, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Now trailing in the contest, the blue and whites found some space behind the Lions’ defence thanks to runs by wingers Seng Ngim and Julian Callea.
However, their runs amounted to little danger on the Corangamite goal, as the score remained 1-0 at half time.
The Lions reasserted their command when play resumed in the second half, making Maryborough’s defence fight to keep their deficit to one.
Then, in the 58th minute, Corangamite forward Robert Oloko Ayimba was brought down in the box, forcing the referee to point to the spot.
Fachetti made no mistake from the ensuing penalty, doubling the Lions’ advantage with just over 30 minutes to play.
Similarly to the first half, Maryborough continued to find space on the wings, but Corangamite were superb in preventing a clean cross from being delivered into their box, limiting the hosts’ chances of finding a late goal.
As the blue and whites pushed their defensive line further forward and tried to apply constant pressure spearheaded by Riley Gardam in the slim chance of salvaging something, holes started to show in their defence, holes Corangamite took full advantage of.
The Lions scored three late goals to seal the result, with Oloko Ayimba calmly finishing two chances to solidify his man of the match performance, while defender Flavien Riviere added a misery compiler with a bullet header from a corner.
Maryborough now turn their attention to their trip to Sebastopol this Sunday when they take on Vikings FC, who defeated Creswick 3-2 last weekend thanks to a late double by Evan James.
