Bendigo loses out on VPL
Bendigo has missed out on the chance to host this weekend's Round 6 Victorian Premier League clash between Fawkner-Whittlesea and Green Gully Cavaliers. This fixture was one of two matches in the 2005 VPL season that were allocated to be played at country venues and Bendigo was lucky enough to be chosen as one of these hosts. However a combination of a lack of venues available on the long weekend and organisational problems have seen the match rescheduled to be played at Fawkner-Whittlesea's home ground, Epping Stadium.
This is very disappointing for the soccer community of Bendigo as it gives the impression that no one here cares about getting quality teams playing here and we could lose out on future opportunities to host games. Also it would have been a great opportunity for Bendigo people to see what is effectively the highest level of competition of the game in Australia at the moment as we are still in the transitional gap between the closing down of the old NSL and opening of the new A-League. Consequently there are some very talented players in these two teams, Fawkner-Whittlesea has the likes of former Socceroo Joe Spiteri and also had the services this season of new A-League signings Massimo Murdocca and Vince Lia. Green Gully have a host of talented NSL experienced players such as Lubo Lapsansky and the Vargas brothers.
IN OTHER VPL RELATED NEWS former Epsom Scorpion Steve Martin was on the scoresheet for Bulleen Zebras in their 1-0 defeat of Frankston Pines in Monday night's round 5 VPL match at the Veneto Club in Bulleen. That was the first victory of the season for the reigning VPL Champions.
MEANWHILE NEWLY FORMED Women's Victorian Premier League side Bendigo Vipers are set to play a match at Epsom this Sunday. The Vipers made their debut last weekend with a 2-0 loss away to Keilor but they did triumph in the reserves match with a 3-2 victory. Good luck to the side and their coach, well known Epsom identity Mark Linford for a successful first season of competition.
(9-3-05)