Churchill Soccer Club

Our Under 11 chargers prevailed 2-1 in an epic clash versus Morwell Pegasus Soccer Club, to win the Latrobe Valley Soccer League Premier Purple Division Cup Final in Traralgon on Saturday September 14.

Pegasus were the undefeated League Champions for the home and away season, and as we know finals football presents pressure and opportunity in equal measure.

After going behind from a long range shot in the first two minutes of the match, our young Rams were forced to re-group quickly. With a “control and chaos” strategy, the boys controlled the defence keeping Pegasus at bay whilst creating chaos in the attacking end.

Noah Haddock, Ed Forbes, Harrison Hogan, Noah Sanders and Tom Breheny were causing headaches for the Flying Horseman in transition.

Prior to half time, Mason Crawford was released into space to slot the equaliser 1-1, before Churchill repelled numerous Pegasus forays into the break, including an epic save from keeper Harper Sanders.

With the game up for grabs Churchill won a free kick from distance that Captain Billy Breheny stepped up to drive home inside the far post 2-1.

Pegasus kept coming but were continually thwarted by Rams fullbacks Nate Wookey and Kai Tanti who were resolute in defence. Rory Fraser-Matthews had a key role man marking Pegasus best player, keeping him quiet.

In 2022, eight of the twelve players in this group tasted disappointment in the Intermediate Black U11 Cup Final, so to come together this year to win the premier division was redemption.

Billy Breheny was adjudged best on ground by the referee, whilst eight year old Lach Bianconi was thanked for his diligence as understudy winger/striker.

The win has been a big step after many years of work to rebuild the junior program at Churchill, winning our first piece of silverware for the club at any level since exactly ten years to the day.