Sport
13 August, 2025
Fechetti leads Lions to victory
A STUNNING hat-trick to striker Roman Fechetti has led the Corangamite Lions division one men’s team to a 3-2 win over Daylesford and Hepburn United.
In the round 16 match at Victoria Park in Daylesford, the home team scored first in the 16th minute.
Fachetti equalised for the Lions in the 26th minute, before the home team scored again in the 33rd to go in to the half- time break with a 2-1 lead.
Fachetti equalised again for the Lions in the 72nd minute, and delivered the winning goal in the very last minute to seal the win.
“The first goal came after a great assist from Paddy Healy, he played a precise pass between the last centre-back and the goalkeeper, I managed to get there first, go around the keeper, and finish,”Fachetti said.
“The second also came from a move down the left with Paddy, who sent in a cross, the defender couldn’t clear it, and I was left one-on-one with the goalkeeper to score the equaliser.”
A draw wouldn’t have been enough for the Lions’ finals qualification hopes, the win coming down to the final seconds.
“In the final play of the match, after a pass from Aaron Corrigan, which I was expecting because of his quality, I received the ball at the edge of the box with a defender in front of me,” Fachetti said.
“I’d noticed during the match that the goalkeeper tended to come off his line, so I decided to chip it over him. Thankfully it went in, and it was a very special goal.”
That goal meant a lot for the Lions and their finals hopes.
“We put in a huge effort despite having several players out, and the boys from the second division stepped up to help us secure the win.
“It was the perfect ending to a day in which we won across all three divisions.”
For Fechetti, this was his second hat-trick of the tournament, but it had special value because of how tough the match was and the fact the Lions won it in the very last play.
“It’s huge for our qualification chances, and I celebrated it like I hadn’t celebrated a goal in a long time,” he said.
“I know how important these three points are, sharing that moment with the boys was something truly special.”
This week Corangamite host the Vikings FC at the Camperdown Showgrounds.
The Lions division one women’s team registered its third win of the season with a 4-3 victory.
A hat-trick to Lenise Mantell saw the Lions get to a 4-2 lead, the home team scoring their third in the 87th minute.
Mantell’s goals came in the 25th, 60th and 67th minutes, while Andrei O’'Connor scored in the 43rd minute.
“The first one was a chip over the keeper after she fumbled,” Mantell said.
“Our second from Andrei came after she made a strong solo run towards goal.”
Mantell’s second half goals were highlights.
“My second was kicked from a corner penalty, pretty proud of that one,” Mantell laughed.
“The third was meant to be a crossed pass that just went in and hit the back left of the net, I will take that.”
A product of soccer in Western Sydney, Mantell is enjoying the Lions first season in the Ballarat competition.
“It’s a much more competitive and diverse competition,” she said.
“The travel is hard and we always have someone away, but we always put a team together and everyone is improving week by week.”
Corangamite’s division two men rounded out a successful away trip for the club, winning 3-1.
Hom Karki (38th minute), James Wallace (53rd minute) and Mohammed Faiyaz (69th minute) were the scorers for the Lions in the win.
The under 12 Lions hosted Ballarat North United at the Camperdown Showgrounds on Sunday morning, the visitors prevailing 3-1.
Hamish Messer was the goal scorer for the Lions, his 10th goal of the season.
Read More: local