Sport
30 May, 2025
Maryborough go down 3-0
The Maryborough Soccer Club produced a spirited performance at Jubilee Oval, but key moments didn’t go their way in their 3-0 defeat to Ballarat.
Maryborough were looking to regroup after back-to-back 5-0 defeats in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association top division.
With top-scorer Julian Callea unavailable for this fixture, the blue and whites were determined to make a strong impression early.
Ballarat put Maryborough under pressure from kick-off, with goalkeeper Jay Murdock forced into a great save from a bullet header in the opening moments of the contest.
Ballarat would find another opening on the wings shortly thereafter, delivering a cross to Jake Romein who directed his open header off the post and into the back of the net, giving Ballarat a 1-0 lead after three minutes.
Keen to overcome their early deficit, the blue and whites were aggressively pressing in their attacking half.
Their energetic defending got Maryborough back on even footing, but they still struggled to maintain possession to help build their attacks.
That all began to change late in the first half, as the blue and whites started generating some shots that tested Ballarat goalkeeper Luke Jones.
Then, with limited time left in the half, Kynan Carter played an exquisite through ball for Riley Gardam to latch onto. Gardam managed to round Jones but couldn’t quite get his shot on target.
Immediately after that clear-cut chance, Ballarat won a free kick inside Maryborough’s defensive half.
A long ball into the box was met by Nicholas Lawrence, who sucker punched Maryborough with a goal from the last kick of the first half.
Similarly to their loss to Vikings FC, a goal on the eve of the first half gave the blue and whites plenty to ponder at half time.
With both teams keen to grab a goal early in the second half, the game started to open up in the midfield.
Both sides maximised the extra space to attack their opponent’s backline, but Ballarat proved to be the more clinical.
Murdock continued to impress in the second half, blocking two one-on-ones, but he couldn’t do anything to deny Jesse Lloyd from extending Ballarat’s advantage to 3-0 in the 62nd minute.
The blue and whites strived for a consolation goal, yet it wasn’t forthcoming, as Ballarat sewed up the three points.
Maryborough now turn their attention to an away trip to Wendouree West Reserve to face Forest Rangers, who currently sit in third after they were held to a 2-2 draw against the Creswick Cougars.