Sport
8 August, 2025
Maryborough Soccer Club run out of steam in second half, lose 7-1 to Vikings FC
After a very competitive opening 45 minutes, the Maryborough Soccer Club couldn’t keep up with the visiting Vikings FC, eventually succumbing to Viking might in a 7-1 defeat.
The blue and whites started reasonably steady at Jubilee Oval, looking to cause an upset against a team who are contending at the top of the Division One ladder.
However, similar to their defeat to the Corangamite Lions the week prior, an early goal threatened to put the game squarely in their opponents’ favour as Vikings striker Liam Dawson made it 1-0 for the visitors in the 13th minute.
Unlike against the Lions, Maryborough galvanised from the early setback, responding seven minutes later thanks to the returning Julian Callea.
The blue and whites’ leading scorer brought the hosts level with his 11th goal of the season and fifth in his last four games, placing him joint-second in the race for the league golden boot.
The game slightly cooled following Callea’s equaliser, with both teams attempting to limit their opponents’ chances to take an advantage into half time.
Unfortunately for the blue and whites, a skillful strike from talisman Darby Gaffney in the 38th minute allowed the Vikings to retake the lead, entering the break up 2-1.
While both teams were creating several chances at the start of the second half, the Vikings remained on the front foot, hitting the woodwork twice in the space of five minutes.
Just as it seemed the blue and whites had escaped imminent danger on multiple occasions, an unusual goal directly from a corner in the 62nd minute doubled Maryborough’s deficit, with Gaffney awarded the goal.
Despite some strong efforts from defender Jack Schaffer and promising youngster Darcy Wood, the blue and whites couldn’t stop the floodgates from opening for the Vikings, who scored four goals in the last 25 minutes.
Gaffney unleashed a beautiful free kick from beyond 30 yards out that hit the crossbar, with Dawson following in the rebound to make it 4-1 in the 65th minute.
Gaffney would be rightfully rewarded for that free kick 11 minutes later, calmly curling the ball past Maryborough goalkeeper Jay Murdock to complete his hat-trick.
Dawson would get on the hat trick fun in the 80th minute, extending the Vikings’ lead to 6-1 with a well-taken finish with his left foot.
Mark Neilson would add a misery compiler for the blue and whites with a goal in additional time, with the final whistle marking a 7-1 win for the Vikings as they currently sit second on the table with three rounds left to play.
Maryborough will be back on the road this Sunday, travelling to Trekardo Park to take on the Ballarat Soccer Club.
The blue and whites were rather unfortunate when they played Ballarat earlier in the season, with key moments not going their way, leading to a 3-0 defeat.