By David Nagel
An undermanned an inexperienced Pakenham United has fallen to its heaviest defeat of the Men’s State League 5 South season against South East United on Saturday.
United, which suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Aspendale last week, was pushed aside by South East in a 5-0 thumping at Turner Reserve in Noble Park.
United had no answer to the scoring prowess of Said Uygur, who scored twice in the first half – after 16 and 27 minutes – before completing his hat-trick just three minutes after the resumption of play.
Aziz Bayeh then scored a fourth, just 15 minutes later, before Aydin Baydemir added a final crushing blow in the final minute of regulation time.
Pakenham has now had four losses and two draws since it last tasted victory with a 4-0 win over Mount Martha all the way back in round 11.
United may currently be down, but it is certainly not out with the club taking the opportunity in recent weeks to play some youngsters.
Brady Hill, Jack Lockwood, Isaac McGill, Shane Pispek, Toby Ryan and Alex Woods are all talented young players that United can build around over the coming seasons.
Eighth-placed United returns home to IYU Reserve on Saturday to take on second-placed Barton United.
In other games this week, White Star Dandenong jumped to a clear 10-point margin at the top of the table with a 3-0 win over Mount Martha, while Mentone has jumped to third after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Barton United.
Barton looked headed for victory, leading 2-0 at half time, before the Panthers surged in the second half.
Marcus Spivey levelled the scores with a second-half brace, before James Bingham completed a remarkable comeback with a winner in the 85th minute of play.
MEN’S STATE LEAGUE 5 SOUTH
RESULTS – ROUND 18
South East 5 v Pakenham 0, Barton United 2 v Mentone 3, Mount Martha 0 v White Star Dandenong 3, Hampton Park 2 v Bunyip 1, Rosebud 1 v Aspendale 2, Casey Panthers – Bye.
LADDER
White Star Dandenong 42, Barton United 32, Mentone 29, Casey Panthers 27, Hampton Park 27, South East United 21, Bunyip Strikers 19, Aspendale 15, Pakenham 13, Mount Martha 11, Rosebud 9.
FIXTURE – ROUND 19
Pakenham United v Barton United, Mount Martha v Bunyip Strikers, Aspendale v South East United, Mentone v Casey Panthers, Rosebud v White Star Dandenong. Hampton Park – Bye.
