Nod for City’s young guns

By Gavin Staindl
BERWICK City’s young guns will be retained for next week’s match against Frankston Pines after they spearheaded a stunning 3-1 victory over Diamond Valley, City’s coach Tom O’Halloran said.
O’Halloran confirmed after Saturday’s thrilling win at Jack Thomas Reserve that the outstanding performance of his young list has given him the confidence to recall most of them for next week’s clash with Frankston.
The soon-to-be relegated Berwick were without much hope heading into their dead rubber against second placed Diamond Valley, but two goals to Orlando Mejias and another from youngster Alex Torelli gave Berwick its second win of the season.
Despite blooding teenagers David Di Iorio, Scott Miller, Craig Johnson, Brendan Maokhamphiou, James Ashby and Tyler White in the last month, O’Halloran called up three more juniors to start in his Division Two side.
After “outstanding” seasons under reserves coach Steve Marley, the LeSanc twins, Nick and Jamie, as well as Steven Sifinos all started on the pitch for the Berwick City seniors. O’Halloran admitted he didn’t think his inexperienced side had much of hope against one of the Division’s toughest opponents.
“We weren’t meant to win, but that’s what makes it all the better,
“The young lads have done really well and when you take all the negatives away from the season, the next 12-18 months is going to be fantastic,” O’Halloran said.
In the other local Division Two match, Casey’s Paul Presti bagged two goals as the Comets went on a 3-0 romping of Doncaster Rovers at Comets Stadium.
Doveton’s Division One clash with Monbulk and Endeavour’s Division Two match with Caulfield were both postponed because of poor playing conditions caused by heavy rain.
Berwick Kings, however, enjoyed a 3-2 victory over Ashburton at Ashburton Park.
Sasa Bogdanovic scored two goals for the visitors, removing any slight threat they had of relegation out of Division Two.