Sport
19 June, 2026
Late strike hands Maryborough its first loss
An 89th minute winner handed the Maryborough Soccer Club their first loss in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association’s third division Saturday night, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ballarat North United.
Cameron Mullaney’s late strike has moved the Panthers behind league leaders Maryborough in second after Victoria Park suffered a shock 4-2 loss to Buninyong.
Despite their undefeated start coming to a screeching halt last weekend, the blue and whites still sit five points clear at the top of the ladder ahead of their crucial fixture with Victoria Park this Sunday.
Saturday’s consistent rainfall noticeably soaked the Russell Square pitch, adding a degree of difficulty to any pass as the ball routinely stopped at random on the surface.
The dampened conditions didn’t stop both teams from producing a fiery start, with chances abounding in the opening 10 minutes.
Riley Gardam was quickly finding space on the edge of the box, sending a warning sign to the Ballarat North backline by rattling his first shot off the crossbar.
After both teams settled into their structures, it was the Panthers who looked the more threatening team with their pace and direct passing catching Maryborough’s high defensive line off guard.
Interventions by Neil Smyth and Bj Melton denied Ballarat North an early breakthrough, allowing Mary-borough to regain control and create chances.
Shortly after hitting the woodwork for a second time, it was third time’s a charm for Gardam, who once again wriggled himself free on the edge of the box before curling his shot right into the top corner to give the blue and whites a 1-0 lead 24 minutes in.
It only took four minutes for Ballarat North to deliver an instant reply, as Ryan Wood got on the end of a dangerous corner to level the score.
Both teams had a plethora of opportunities to end the first half, but the scoreline remained 1-1 at the interval.
Kynan Carter, Julian Callea, Jake and Luke Bucknall attempted to restore Maryborough’s lead early in the second half, but none of Maryborough’s chances surpassed Panthers goalkeeper Dominic Marnica.
As time quickly trickled down, it was Ballarat North who were piling on the pressure, forcing Cullen Green and Mitchell Gardam to take late yellow cards.
On the eve of added time, Mullaney produced the decisive strike, hitting the back of the net to secure a valuable three points for Ballarat North.