Sport
5 June, 2026
Maryborough leaves it late in 3-0 victory
Late goals by Julian Callea and Johno Melton secured the Maryborough Soccer Club’s seventh consecutive victory in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association’s third division, overcoming Ballarat 3-0.
With the blue and whites perilously holding onto a one-goal lead in the dying stages, Callea produced another memorable moment in what has been an outstanding season for the Maryborough forward, sealing the match with his second goal of the day.
Maryborough now sits six points clear of Victoria Park at the top of the table after earning a perfect 21 points from their opening seven games.
Both teams started Sunday’s contest at Pleasant Street Reserve with an emphasis on defensive structure and ball security, similarly to when these teams first met back in round two.
Despite Ballarat controlling possession early, it was Maryborough who created the first big chance when Jackson Barby played a brilliant through ball to Mitchell Gardam, who had his shot parried away by a solid diving stop from Ballarat keeper Luke Jones.
With Kynan Carter marshalling Maryborough’s backline and Neil Smyth producing some key interventions, Ballarat struggled to generate their possession into clear opportunities until the blue and whites conceded a free kick just outside their penalty box.
While Norberto Sosa’s ensuing shot narrowly whizzed past the post, it marked the start of a flurry of chances for both teams to end the half.
Eventually, it was Maryborough who broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute through who else but Callea, who gave his team a valuable 1-0 lead heading into half time.
After Carter, Riley Gardam and Jake Bucknall combined to score four second-half goals to ice their aforementioned round two victory over Ballarat, the blue and whites returned from the interval hoping to double their lead.
However, not only was the Ballarat defence denying any would-be attacker, they were putting the blue and whites on the back foot, with Vincent Boakye in particular causing problems with the ball at his feet.
As Ballarat pressed for an equaliser, Maryborough remained composed under the immense pressure, ensuring no shot surpassed Bayden Macintyre between the sticks.
That allowed Callea to deliver a destructive counterpunch in the 85th minute, adding his second with a sweet strike to give the blue and whites a two-goal cushion.
Melton added a misery compiler two minutes later, booting his third goal in as many matches to complete a tight Maryborough victory.
Following the King’s Birthday long weekend, the blue and whites will turn their attention to Ballarat North United, whom they play on Sunday, June 14.