Day: April 27, 2009

Monday, 27 April 2009 12:18 PM

South Melbourne FC
Senior Men vs Hume City (2-1)
Under 21 vs Hume City (3-0)

South Melbourne Women’s Football Club
Womens Premier League vs Ashburton (3-3)
Women’s Premier League Reserves vs Ashburton (3-1)
Women’s State League 3 vs Ashburton (2-2)
Girls Metro 15B vs Kensington (2-9)

South Melbourne Junior Football Club
Under 18 Super League vs Springvale White Eagles (4-2)
Under 16 Super League vs FC Bulleen Lions (0-1)
Under 15 Super League vs FC Bulleen Lions (1-1)
Under 14A Boys East vs Doncaster Rovers (1-1)
Under 14 Super League vs Berwick City (0-0)
Under 13 Super League vs FC Bulleen Lions (2-0)
Under 12A Boys East vs Whitehorse United (3-0)
Under 11 Kangaroo Orange vs Ringwood City (5-0)

Monday, 27 April 2009 9:39 AM

By John Kyrou

Vaughan Coveny’s goal against Hume City on Saturday brought up his 100th league goal for South Melbourne FC in both the National Soccer League and Victorian Premier League. Throughout Coveny’s twelve seasons at Bob Jane Stadium, supporters have taken great delight in seeing their quick and strong forward score many fantastic goals from headers or with his feet. We look back at Coveny’s career at South whilst acknowledging his milestone achievement.

Coveny was brought to South in 1995 by Frank Arok, the senior coach at the time. Before his arrival, Vaughan had experienced NSL football with both the Melbourne Knights and Wollongong. The big Kiwi’s first goal for the club was on the 24th of September 1995 in a Docherty Cup Quarter Final match against Preston at Connor Reserve. Coveny took possession of the ball and outpaced the Preston defence before firing home the away side’s third goal in what turned out to be a comfortable 1-4 victory. A goal in the Semi Final against Morwell and then another in the Final against the Melbourne Knights took the big man to three goals from three games, as South won the Docherty Cup.

Coveny had an excellent debut season for the club in the 1995/96 NSL season, registering nine goals from his 26 games. However he saved his best for the club’s NSL Cup run, with a hat-trick against the Melbourne Knights in the First Round first leg. He added to this with another goal against Marconi in the Quarter Final before scoring a double against Newcastle in the Final. His goals helped South to a 3-1 win to add to its Docherty Cup triumph at the beginning of the campaign. Coveny’s incredible burst of speed and pace when taking on defenders was soon noticed by supporters and the football staff alike, who were both quick to tag him with the nickname of ‘horse’.

Seasons 1996/97 to 1998/99 showed just how valuable Coveny was to the team, as the big forward registered 28 goals to help South reach the Preliminary Final in 1996/97 before going on to win back-to-back championships the next two seasons. One of his finest seasons was in 1998/99, with a return of 14 goals from 31 matches. Season 1999/00 was his leanest in the NSL, with only six goals from 33 matches. However Coveny nearly made history as he twice went agonisingly close to scoring against Manchester United in the inaugural FIFA World Club Championships in Rio de Janeiro, including having a shot that hit the left post and roll across the goal line before hitting the right post and staying out.

Horse was back to his best for the 2000/01 season, scoring eight goals and sharing the goal scoring with Con Boutsianis (14), Andy Vlahos (13) and Vas Kalogeracos (6) as the team fell just short of a record fifth NSL championship. The following season South was rooted to the bottom of the ladder halfway through the season, but it was no surprise that when Coveny (injury) and Boutsianis (Kingz FC) returned to the line-up that the side soared up the ladder to qualify for the finals series. Coveny hit seven goals in the last 9 games of the regular season, including a hat-trick against Wollongong at WIN Stadium in round 25. He added to this in the finals series with a double against the Brisbane Strikers in the first leg of the Elimination Final at BJS.

Although South missed out on the finals in 2002/03, it was through no fault of Coveny, who added another 11 goals to his tally, this time from only 21 matches. Supporters will remember his double against Sydney Olympic in the unforgettable 6-4 home victory, with the Kiwi’s 89th minute penalty wrapping up the three points. New coach Stuart Munro appointed Coveny as captain for the 2003/04 NSL season and the big man did not disappoint, with another big haul of 12 goals from 24 matches. This included a hat-trick against Newcastle in round 5 (4-1 win at BJS) and two doubles, against Wollongong in round 3 (1-4 win at WIN Stadium) and in round 14 against Parramatta (2-1 win at BJS).

Coveny showed his loyalty to South by continuing on with the club when it re-joined the VPL in 2005. His power shot from a free kick outside the area gave South its first goal and first three points for the campaign against St Albans in round 2 at BJS and he ended the season with a respectable eight goals. His other memorable strikes for the season included the last-minute equaliser against St Albans at Churchill Reserve in round 15 (2-2 draw) and the long-distance rocket against Preston at Connor Reserve in round 23 (0-1 win). Horse only played 10 matches in 2006 before being signed by A-League side Newcastle; however he still managed to score six goals before departing.

Coveny again showed his loyalty to South by returning to BJS this season, after retiring from the A-League. A class double in the Hellenic Cup Semi Final victory against Oakleigh and a powerful finish in the 3-0 demolition of Heidelberg in the Final showed the importance of Coveny’s addition to the side, especially after South’s struggle in consistently scoring goals in recent seasons. Despite a slow start to 2009, Coveny has showed his class in recent weeks, with an assist and goal against the Melbourne Knights and then an outstanding strike against Richmond to bring up his 99th league goal. His header into the open net against Hume brought up the milestone, making him only the second player to reach 100 league goals for South. Only Paul Trimboli has scored more, with 115 goals.

Coveny’s 100th league goal for the club has been well deserved for a player that has been a role model not only for South Melbourne FC but also for Australian and New Zealand football.

Vaughan Coveny – Total SMFC Goals – All Competitions
National Soccer League – 83
Victorian Premier League – 17
National Cup – 7
Dockerty Cup – 5
Hellenic Cup – 3
TOTAL – 115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, 27 April 2009 9:21 AM

South Melbourne has cemented it’s spot in the top two of the Victorian Premier League, after a resounding 1-2 ANZAC Cup victory away to Hume City at Broadmeadows Valley Reserve on Saturday.

South were coming into the game on the back of a five game unbeaten run and they started the game like a side in form, attacking the Hume defence from the outset via a long range attempt by veteran Vaughan Coveny.

The Blues continued to bombard the Hume goal with a huge wind behind their backs and could have had the lead only moments later after a long ball down the right hand flank released Coveny in space. With strike partner Goran Zoric waiting in the middle Coveny hit a well-weighted cross into the area, only for the ball to be plucked from above the head of the small striker by Hume goalkeeper Lou Acevski.

Vaughan Coveny continued to torment the Hume defence and his man-marker and former NSL team-mate Tansel Baser at every opportunity, hitting another two long range strikes into the prying arms of Acevski, who thwarted the big kiwi in convincing fashion.

With the man known as the “Horse” intent scoring his 100th career goal for South Melbourne FC, the South midfield continued to work hard in an attempt to give the veteran his opportunity to achieve the milestone.

In the 38th minute, some exceptional work down the right hand side by Eddie Cetkin allowed for the ball to be kept in play and to be delivered to his captain Rama Tavsancioglu. He then confidently barraged his way past two Hume defenders before hitting a lovely cross to the near post towards the unmarked Zoric. With Coveny open at the back post, Zoric flicked the ball across goal to find theveteran, who obligingly buried his header into the back of the net to send the travelling South fans into raptures.

The second half was a far less open contest, with Hume intent on not allowing the same amount of space and possession to be given to the dominant South side. This coupled by a heavy and quite rare Melbourne downpour led for some scrappy and unadventurous football to be played

Despite this South found the 2nd goal of the contest in the 65th minute, after a blistering free kick by Vaughan Coveny was parried into the path of Sebastian Petrovic. With the keeper on the ground, the hard-working midfielder slammed the ball into the net to give his side a two-goal advantage.

With time ticking down, Hume would have their first real chance of the contest in the 74th minute when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the area.

With a howling wind at his back, Ross Thompson stepped up and hit a simply stunning drive past the hapless Tommi Tomich and into the top corner of the net to give his side some hope.

Despite some shaky moments however South managed to claim the three points and the much sought after ANZAC Day Cup, a trophy that will now be added to the club’s growing trophy cabinet.

Captain Rama Tavsancioglu was awarded the man-of-the-match award claiming that “it was a great win by the side against a real quality opposition. We were challenged at times and really worked hard to get the result which is very pleasing”

South will now host Oakleigh next Sunday afternoon at 4pm in a cracking derby match, whilst Hume must re-group before taking on Green Gully away from home next Saturday.

Click here to view smfcTV highlights of the game