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KENNEDY DOUBLE FIRES FALCONS TO FIRST WIN of 2026

Score: East Gippsland United 1–5 Falcons 2000

Falcons 2000 SC Senior Men ended their wait for a first win of the 2026 season in emphatic fashion, travelling to West Bairnsdale Oval on a perfect 24-degree autumn afternoon and dismantling East Gippsland United FC 5-1 in Round 3.

The result provided a timely and convincing response after a challenging start to the campaign – a 5-1 opening day defeat to Monash at home, followed by a hard-fought 4-3 loss away to Churchill United in Round 2 - with Adrian Salvatore's side turning in their most complete performance of the season to date.

Jordan Kennedy was the standout performer, netting a classy brace to put Falcons firmly in control. He opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a composed finish to break the deadlock, setting the tone for an afternoon of clinical attacking play. Sam Amaira then doubled the advantage in the 44th minute, ensuring Falcons headed into the break with a two-goal cushion and the match very much in their hands.

The second half was a masterclass in efficiency. Kennedy completed his brace with another assured finish in the 57th minute before Jayden Unmack added a fourth just three minutes later, a devastating five-minute spell that put the result firmly beyond doubt and underlined the Falcons' threat in the final third.

East Gippsland did pull one back in the 72nd minute through Lachlan Feather - a rare consolation for a side that has now conceded 21 goals across three matches without registering a single point in 2026 - but Falcons were unfazed. Mohamad Taleb and Rylan Bullen provided fresh impetus off the bench as the visitors managed the game with composure, and Joshua Patterson put the seal on a thoroughly deserved victory with an 89th minute goal to complete the 5–1 scoreline.

Star trio Tom D'Alia, Amaira and Unmack led by example throughout, helping Falcons dictate the tempo from first whistle to last, while goalkeeper Ben Nicholls was rarely tested behind a backline that kept East Gippsland largely at arm's length across the ninety minutes.

The victory lifts Falcons off the bottom of the table and, crucially, provides the belief and momentum that had been missing through the season's opening fortnight. With confidence restored and combinations clicking, Salvatore's side will look to make it back-to-back wins next Sunday when they travel east to Olympic Park to take on reigning champions and early season pace-setters Moe United.

MATCH DETAILS
Falcons 2000 starting XI: Benjamin Nicholls (GK), Jordan Kennedy, Edi Ali, Joseph Auciello, Toby Capp, Jayden Unmack, Sam Amaira, Joshua Patterson, Jamie Pistrin (c), Thomas D'Alia, Gabrielle Bochicchio.
Coach: Adrian Salvatore
Subs: Jake Bomba, Jethro Alison, Mohamad Taleb, Rylan Bullen, Callum Dominguez, Benjamin Johnstone.
Scorers: Jordan Kennedy 35', 57'; Sam Amaira 44'; Jayden Unmack 60'; Joshua Patterson 89'.
Cautions: None.

East Gippsland United starting XI: Adam Reidy Hutchison (GK), Andrew Chapman, Zeb McLeod, Lachlan Feather, Thomas Forster (c), Josh West, Kyal Hood, Ryan McGaughey, Alex Davidson, Dean Nichols, Sergio Quitadamo.
Coach: Dean Bailey
Subs: Max Bailey, Nicholas Antonopoulos, Jesse Williams, Brendan Dunstan, Tyler Van Den Meiracker.
Scorers: Lachlan Feather 72'.
Cautions: None.

Next Match:
FV Latrobe Valley Senior Men's League 1 – Round 4
Moe United SC v Falcons 2000
Sunday 3 May 2026, 3pm
Venue: Olympic Park, Moe

LAPENTA HAT-TRICK GIVES FALCONS A LIGHTNING START TO 2026

Score: Tyers Lightning 0–8 Falcons 2000

Falcons 2000 SC Senior Women produced yet another stunning display to make it three wins from three to start the 2026 season, travelling to Tyers Recreation Reserve and dismantling Tyers Lightning 8–0 in Round 3 to remain the clear benchmark side in the FV Latrobe Valley Senior Women's League.

Building on a 7–1 opening day win over Monash at home and a clinical 6–0 demolition of Churchill United in Round 2, Rob Guarascio's side were in devastating form from the first whistle, scoring four times before half-time and never once loosening their grip on the contest.

Talia Cook set the tone inside six minutes, stabbing home to give Falcons an immediate initiative. Kujile Mahammud quickly added a second in the 16th minute before Sofia Crivari got in on the act with a composed finish in the 24th to make it three and the rout was truly underway. Falcons were relentless in their movement and precision, giving the hosts no time to settle.

Tyers began the game with only 10 players, and to their credit, battled away gamely against a team many critics believe are destined for a championship tilt.

It was co-captain Monique Lapenta, however, who turned the afternoon into a truly special occasion. The Falcons skipper struck twice in quick succession – in the 26th and 34th minutes – to take her side into the break with a commanding 5–0 lead and herself well on the way to a memorable hat-trick.

Lapenta completed the treble with a composed third goal in the 61st minute, capping a dominant personal display and cementing the afternoon as one to savour. It was a performance that underlines the attacking depth and chemistry this Falcons side possesses in abundance. 

This made it seven goals in Lapenta's first three games of 2026, leading some to wonder if there's a defender anywhere in Gippsland capable of stopping her.

Madison Rossi then took centre stage, netting twice in the 65th and 74th minutes to put the finishing touches on a superb team performance. Molly Claassens, stepping into the starting XI in place of Jade Derham, also caught the eye and justified her inclusion with an energetic display throughout.

At the other end, goalkeeper Gabriella Crivari kept a third consecutive clean sheet and brilliantly marshalled a defensive unit that looked almost impossible to break down.

Falcons now boast a remarkable record of 21 goals scored and just one conceded in three rounds – a testament to the balance and quality Guarascio has built across the park. They will look to extend that unbeaten run on Sunday morning when they travel to Olympic Park to face Moe United as they hope to move to four straight wins.

MATCH DETAILS

Falcons 2000 starting XI: Gabriella Crivari (GK), Sheeny Whadcoat (c), Arielle Crivari, Madison Rossi, Malaya Noppert, Savannah Lapenta, Molly Claassens, Sofia Crivari, Monique Lapenta (c), Talia Cook, Kujile Mahammud.

Coach: Robert Guarascio

Subs: Dakota Cook, Keziah Gabrielle Paguntalan, Rebekah Poynton, Holly Pritchard.

Scorers: Talia Cook 6'; Kujile Mahammud 16'; Sofia Crivari 24'; Monique Lapenta 26', 34', 61'; Madison Rossi 65', 74'.

Cautions: None.

Tyers Lightning starting XI: Lara Gibbons (GK), Paige Anderson, Tara Barclay (c), Merryn Gibbons, Katie Goodman, Leah Vogelsang, Catherine Ritchie, Emily Ogden, Talicia Sokaluk, Tenaya Wallace.

Coach: Katie Goodman

Subs: None.

Scorers: None.

Cautions: None.

Next Match:

FV Latrobe Valley Senior Women's – Round 4

Moe United v Falcons 2000

Sunday 3 May 2026, 11am

Venue: Olympic Park

BRAVE FALCONS UNDONE BY RAMS’ LATE GOAL BLITZ

Score: Churchill United 4-3 Falcons 2000

Falcons 2000 SC produced a vastly improved performance but were ultimately edged 4-3 by Churchill United in a dramatic Round 2 clash at Hazelwood South Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

Responding to last week’s disappointing 5-1 hammering against Monash, Falcons showed far greater intent from the outset, with Sam Amaira striking early to give the visitors a 1–0 lead in the 7th minute.

The bright start signalled a clear lift in intensity and attacking cohesion from Adrian Salvatore’s side.

However, the match turned dramatically in the 12th minute when Lachlan Spiteri was shown a red card, forcing Falcons to play the remainder of the contest with 10 men.

The dismissal significantly shifted the balance of the match with Churchill United gradually gaining control through possession and territory.

Churchill levelled through a fine individual effort from Takudzwa Gwara in the 53rd minute before taking the lead in the 64th minute via star striker Germaine Otieno, turning the match around after the break.

But Falcons refused to back down, with Amaira adding his second goal in the 86th minute to keep the contest alive and give the Morwell-based side hope of an unlikely victory.

However, Churchill United responded almost immediately through Ryan Ayres in the 88th minute, restoring the Rams’ slender lead.

Falcons continued to push forward and found an equaliser in the 93rd minute, with ex-Ram Jayden Unmack striking to bring the visitors level.

But just moments later, the hosts delivered the decisive blow, with Otieno scoring in the 94th minute to secure all three points for the Rams.

There were strong positives for the Falcons despite the result, as the side showed huge resilience and character despite playing over 75 minutes with 10 men.

While the loss leaves Falcons winless after two rounds, the performance - particularly under prolonged numerical disadvantage – underlined clear improvement from a disappointing opening round defeat.

Falcons will now turn their attention to Round 3, travelling to face East Gippsland United at West Bairnsdale Oval on Sunday 26 April (2pm kickoff), where they will look to secure their first points of the season.

MATCH DETAILS:
Falcons 2000 starting XI: Ben Johnstone (GK), Edi Ali, Gabrielle Bochicchio, Joshua Gangi, Benjamin Johnstone, Joshua Patterson, Lachlan Spiteri, Mohamad Taleb, Jayden Unmack, Jamie Pistrin (c), Sam Amaira.
Subs: Thomas D’Alia, Benjamin Nicholls, Jordi Vacca, Max Churchill.
Coach: Adrian Salvatore
Scorers: Sam Amaira 7’, 86’; Jayden Unmack 93’.
Red card: Lachlan Spiteri 12’.

Churchill United starting XI: Christopher Varadi (GK), Tim Lawless, Thomas Hughes, Liam McCluskey (c), Takudzwa Gwara, Connor McGiven, Logan Winter, Germaine Otieno, Jacob Cheney, Ryan Ayres, Bradley Sands.
Subs: Shaun Kaduka, Isaac Burgione, Tinashe Madhuvu, Lloyd Turnbull.
Coach: Bradley Sands
Scorers: Takudzwa Gwara 53’; Germaine Otieno 64’, 94’; Ryan Ayres 88’.

Next Match:
FV Latrobe Valley Senior Men's – Round 3
East Gippsland United FC v Falcons 2000
Sunday 26 April 2026, 2pm
Venue: West Bairnsdale Oval

FURIOUS FALCONS BURY RAMS AS DERHAM, LAPENTA RUN AMOK
Score: Churchill United 0-6 Falcons 2000

Falcons 2000 SC Senior Women continued their strong start to the season with a dominant 6-0 victory over Churchill United in Round 2 at Hazelwood South Reserve.

Building on last week’s emphatic performance, a 7-1 win over Monash at home, Falcons were again clinical in front of goal and in control throughout, overwhelming the home side with pace and precision.

Falcons made their intent clear early, with Jade Derham opening the scoring in the 14th minute before doubling her tally just four minutes later to put Falcons firmly in command at 2–0 inside the opening 20 minutes. Her sharp movement and composure in front of goal set the tone for a memorable day out for the visitors.

Falcons carried that momentum into the second half, with Savannah Lapenta taking centre stage after the half-time break.

After starring last week alongside sister Monique, Savannah struck twice in quick succession (47’, 53’) to effectively put the result beyond doubt, continuing her outstanding form and highlighting the side’s attacking chemistry.

Churchill’s difficult afternoon was compounded just before the hour mark when an own goal extended the lead to five, as Falcons’ relentless pressure forced further errors from the hosts.

Despite the comfortable margin, Falcons showed no signs of easing off. Talia Cook added a sixth goal in the 84th minute to cap off a comprehensive team performance, rewarding the side’s sustained attacking intent.

At the other end, Falcons remained resolute defensively, with goalkeeper Gabriella Crivari well protected throughout as the backline ensured Churchill were unable to gain any foothold in the contest.

The result underlines the squad’s balance across the pitch, with multiple contributors on the scoresheet and a defensive unit - led by all-time senior women’s games’ record holder Sheeny Whadcoat - that continues to perform strongly.

With back-to-back commanding victories to start the season, Rob Guarascio’s are building strong momentum and establishing themselves as one of the early benchmark teams in the competition.

They will look to carry that form into next week against Tyers Lightning at home as this season full of promise continues to gather pace.

MATCH DETAILS
Falcons 2000 starting XI: Gabriella Crivari (GK), Sheeny Whadcoat, Arielle Crivari, Madison Rossi, Malaya Noppert, Savannah Lapenta, Sofia Crivari, Kujile Mahammud, Talia Cook, Jade Derham, Monique Lapenta (c).
Coach: Robert Guarascio
Subs: Holly Pritchard, Rebekah Poynton, Molly Claassens, Keziah Gabrielle Paguntalan.
Scorers: Jade Derham 14’, 18’; Savannah Lapenta 47’, 53’; Ainsley Daly (own goal) 57’; Talia Cook 84’.
Cautions: Malaya Noppert 77’.

Churchill United starting XI: Ebony Webb (GK), Alexandra Forbes, Simone Forbes, Christine Bingham, Ainsley Daly, Lana Bongioletti, Jaimee Williams, Chantel Stephens, Amaya Sande, Brianna Murphy, Tahlia Flake (c).
Coach: Thomas Hanlon and Travers Doherty
Subs: Khayliann Schembri, Kristina Mezentseff, Jasmine Prosser.
Scorers: None
Cautions: Jasmine Prosser 77’.

Next Match:
FV Latrobe Valley Senior Women's – Round 3
Falcons 2000 v Tyers Lightning
Sunday 26 April 2026, 1pm
Venue: Morwell Recreation Reserve Synthetic