Laurie Williams

The penultimate round of the ever-intriguing race to the league championship title in Latrobe Valley Soccer League took another twist last weekend.

Morwell Pegasus beat rivals Fortuna on Sunday in the match of the round. In other games, reigning champion Falcons 2000 came from the dead to beat Sale, while Moe and Monash both won their respective fixtures.

In a season where drama has met us at every turn, there was no greater example than on Saturday night as Falcons 2000 came back from the brink against Sale to claim all three points to keep their back-to-back title hopes alive.

Sale has shown they are a much tougher commodity at home and were looking to spoil the Birds’ party.

They got off to the perfect start in the seven minute mark as Sakhon Khamchom took advantage of a Falcons defensive mix-up to give his side the lead.

Falcons dominated possession but could not break down the resolute Sale defence; however, if being 1-nil down was of concern, then, with Sale taking a two goal lead on 25 minutes through Kieran Horgan, it quickly became a migraine for the Morwell side. Knowing only a win would do, Falcons were handed a lifeline as Sale went down to 10 men, and this seemed to fire them up.

Falcons got one back before the break, with Jamie Pistrin converting from the penalty spot.

The second half was all one-way traffic, and the never-say-die attitude of Falcons was once again on show, as they equalised through a Jim Mills finish inside the six-yard box.

They would complete a miraculous comeback six minutes later as wonderful work down the right hand wing from Kevin Carcellar gave Mills the opportunity to make it two for him that night, an opportunity he gladly took with both hands.

The win, coupled with Fortuna’s loss, saw Falcons move back into top spot, only needing a draw against their cross-town rival on the final day to take the league.

LVSL Round 21 results: Falcons 3 def Sale 2, Pegasus 4 def Fortuna 2, Monash 2 def Olympians 1, Moe 16 def Churchill 1, Newborough/Yallourn bye, Tyers bye.

THE LVSL will use this weekend as a catch-up round for matches previously abandoned.

Three titles have already been decided. Fortuna has won the reserves championship, finishing ahead of Newborough/Yallourn.

Traralgon City has taken out the second division title, and Sale has won the women’s championship.

The senior men’s championship will be decided on Sunday, September 3, when Fortuna hosts Falcons.