Sport
23 May, 2025
Maryborough Soccer Club seek second victory after defeat to Vikings FC
Vikings FC proved too much for the Maryborough Soccer Club, axing the blue and whites to back-to-back 5-0 defeats.
The result places Maryborough in ninth, as they prepare for a difficult run of games including matches against top-of-the-table Ballarat North United and Forest Rangers FC, who currently occupy third.
Maryborough entered the match at St Georges Reserve as the underdogs, with the Vikings winning three of their first five fixtures.
The Vikings have possessed a strong defence to start their campaign, keeping a clean sheet in two of their three victories, and their defensive expertise were once again on show on Sunday, snuffing out all of Maryborough’s advances.
The blue and whites’ backline, anchored by Jack Schaffer who has played well in recent weeks, was equally solid in the opening 25 minutes before Evan James opened the scoring for Vikings FC in the 27th minute.
Maryborough managed to recompose themselves after the setback and were in a manageable position to mount a resurgence in the second half.
However, two goals from Marcus Lynch and Darby Gaffney late in the first half turned the game on its head, as Maryborough were given a mountain to climb down 3-0 at half time.
An early goal to start the second half was desperately needed for the blue and whites to pull off a miraculous comeback.
Those ambitions were dashed in the 55th minute, when Gaffney scored his second of the game to increase the Vikings’ advantage to 4-0.
The hosts would add a fifth fourteen minutes later through Kade Peldys, who scored his second goal of the season.
The blue and whites continued to fight for a consolation goal, but the Vikings’ defence was impenetrable, shutting out the blue and whites on their way to three points.
Maryborough will return to Jubilee Oval on Sunday to face a Ballarat Soccer Club side that had an enthralling game last weekend, defeating Creswick in a 7-4 thriller.
If the games between these two teams last season are anything to go by, spectators can expect some goals on Sunday.
Ballarat did the double over Maryborough in 2024, winning 3-1 away from home in round six before earning a 6-2 victory in round 15.