A second half fightback wasn't enough for Murray United to earn a point from ladder leaders Eastern Lions at La Trobe University on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions took the lead moments before half time when Andrew Williams converted a penalty, while Munyaradzi Nyadzayo doubled the lead after an hour.

A late goal to Zac Walker was a consolation for Murray, who pushed the ladder leaders all the way to the end.

The game started off as an even contest, but with Murray having the better of the play and testing the visitors.

After 36 minutes, Murray had a chance to take the lead through Adam Waters only for his chance to go begging.

The hosts would rue that miss, as Sean Pye gave away a penalty just before the half.

Andrew Williams stepped up to take the penalty, and made no mistake, as he slotted it past goalkeeper Josh Fluss.

Murray United came out in the second half hurt by the penalty.

While Mick Richards' side had the run of the play in the first half, it took Nyadzayo's goal to wake Murray up.

After going two down, the hosts began to push again.

It didn't take long for Sean Pye to almost make amends for giving away the penalty in the first half, with his cracking long range effort flashing just wide of the Eastern Lions goal.

Just four minutes later, the hosts finally got their reward.

A tireless performance from Zac Walker was rewarded as he got on the scoresheet to peg one back for Murray.

The late goal buoyed Murray as the side pressed on and looked for an equaliser, but in the end it wasn't enough as Eastern Lions ran out 2-1 winners and took the three points back to Melbourne.

Murray United coach Mick Richards told the Border Mail conceding the penalty at the end of the first half flattened his side, and they struggled to bounce back mentally.

“I don’t like making excuses, but that penalty knocked the stuffing out of us,” Richards said.

“We played one of the top sides in the competition and dominated for long periods without being able to capitalise.

“What happened there was unfortunate, but we’ll have to just get on with the job at the end of the day.”

 

Match Details:

Murray United 1 (Walker 82') defeated by Eastern Lions 2 (Williams 45+2', Nyadzayo 61') at La Trobe University, Wodonga

Murray United: 1. Josh FLUSS, 16. Sean PYE, 23. Benjamin CHAFFEY, 34. Daniel MILLYNN, 17. Melkie WOLDEMICHAEL, 19. Tom MORRISSON, 4. Hussein NTAKIRUTIMANA, 29. Darcy PAWLIK, 13. Josh O'BRIEN, 7. Zac WALKER, 14. Adam WATERS

Substitutes: 12. Michael JESSUP, 9. Mathew HASLER, 10. Kade RIXON, 21. Benjamin RUSSELL, 30. Angus KELLY

Eastern Lions: 1. Robert HAVERCROFT, 2. William ELLIS, 3. Matthew PARRY, 4. Chris PAGE, 5. Tom FALCONER, 6. Andrew WILLIAMS, 8. Mitch BEAMISH, 10. Philip AJAO, 11. Munyaradzi NYADZAYO, 9. Daniel RODRIGUES, 17. Shaun KELLY

Substitutes: 21. Andrew LIGHTFOOT, 7. Ziggy RAZUKI, 12. David McKESSY, 13. Jarrah CLEAR, 15. Yianni TOUMANIDIS