City wins a season thriller

By Stuart Teather
BERWICK City is the State League Three South East champion after capping off its season with a gripping 1-0 win against North Caulfield at Caulfield Park on Sunday.
City will play in State League Two in 2010 after claiming the top spot on the ladder, a fitting end to a stunning season for Joe Carrol’s troops.
Perennial goal-scorer Orlando Mejias scored the game-winner, receiving a through-ball, defeating a defender then finding space in the box to rifle a shot home.
Coach Carrol said his players deserved to finish their State League Three campaign on a high.
“Before the game I said let’s make it a really good season, let’s win this game and go up as champions,” he said.
“The boys responded and we did. It was a tough game, North Caulfield didn’t lie down.”
Reflecting on the season, Carrol said his side won the league because it was the most consistent.
“We were on top of the ladder more than any other club really, we’ve been there or thereabouts the whole season.
“We were consistent and that’s the main thing, we only lost one game all season by more than a goal, which to me says we were the most consistent side in the league. All those top sides … we never got beaten by them, we performed well against the good sides.”
Meanwhile the Casey Comets ensured they will remain in State League Two South East with a huge 9-0 win against the relegation-bound Kingston City.
It rained goals at Comets Stadium as Kris Paterson and Paul Presti both celebrated hat-tricks, Liam Ryan scored a pair and Tony Saunders also hit one.
Kingston’s case was not helped after having two players – including its goalkeeper – red-carded either side of half-time, leaving the team to fight it out with nine players. Elsewhere, Doveton avoided relegation from Provisional One South East with a last-ditch 2-0 win against Ashburton, but Endeavour United was not so lucky and will drop a division after drawing 1-1 with Old Melburnians.