Sport
1 May, 2026
Maryborough earns 5-1 win
The Maryborough Soccer Club’s scorching start to the 2026 season continued last Sunday with a hard-hitting 5-1 victory over Ballarat.
With the two teams deadlocked at 1-1 early in the second half at Pleasant Street Reserve, a Kynan Carter brace kickstarted a late scoring spree for the blue and whites, powering them to a valuable three points.
After scoring seven goals in Maryborough’s season-opener against Forest Rangers, Julian Callea didn’t take long to open the scoring on Sunday, putting the visitors 1-0 up at the 14-minute mark.
Despite Carter, captain Jake Bucknall and Callum Connor creating some good chances from midfield, the blues and whites were unable to double their lead before the half time whistle blew.
Holding a narrow one-goal cushion at the break, Maryborough looked to obtain some breathing room in the second half.
However, it was Ballarat who snatched their opportunity at an early breakthrough, with Declan Pollard drawing the hosts level with 40 minutes to play.
With his team in imminent danger, Carter restored Maryborough’s lead five minutes later with a brilliant strike, which made it 2-1.
What followed was a tense passage of play, as both teams pushed for a game-changing strike.
With 20 minutes left to play, Carter delivered his second goal of the match, giving the blue and whites a valuable two-goal advantage.
Immediately from the ensuing kickoff, Riley Gardam fired the dagger through Ballarat’s goal, putting the visitors 4-1 up.
Bucknall added a magical fifth in the 81st minute, scoring the exclamation point to a hard-fought victory.
With back-to-back wins now under their belt, the blue and whites will attempt to make it three on the trot this Sunday when they take on Ballarat North United at Russell Square.