Match Reports

12/4 v Lidcombe Waratahs
Score 0 - 3


Lidcombe had been our bogey team this year, beating us twice and drawing with us once, so we knew it was going to be tough, and tough it proved to be.
 
We started the match hesitantly and uncertainly, showing nerves. It was just as well that Lidcombe were also feeling the pressure as they had the momentum and missed a couple of very clear chances. Fifteen minutes in, the dam finally burst and Lidcombe opened the scoring. We tried hard to hang on until half time without further damage to the scoreboard but with one minute to go they unfortunately doubled the damage and at half time the heads were hanging.
 
After a half-time rev-up from the coach, the second half was more energetic with Mitchell, Alex, James and Jeremy harassing the opposition at the back and the odd attacking raid showing some promise. Caleb made a great long run off an Alex pass and appeared to be brought down in the box but we didn't get the call. After that, Lidcombe started to win back the momentum and finally converted again with a fine shot from the edge of the box for the final 3-0 scoreline.
 
It's been a rollercoaster season with less than a full complement of players for many of the games. The growth in skill, determination, self-belief and teamwork through the year has been great to see. Thanks to coach Toby for his commitment to and patience with the team. Thanks also to the U.11s and U.10s who lent us some players in the early part of the year.
 
Finally, thanks to the parents for being a vital part of the whole experience through supporting their kids and the Club all season. Let's do it all again and more next year!



U10 Div 2 v Merrylands SC
Score 2 - 0


It was off to the hoodoo ground for the 10/2's in the elimination final, Fred Caterson up against the vastly unknown quantity of Merrylands. Way back at the end of May these 2 teams played a 1 all draw at Merrylands in their only encounter of the season, the return match at Bella was washed out.
The team was primed for the game with double training sessions during the finals campaign and aware of the likely playmakers from Merrylands following the coach's trip to their semi the previous week.
The 10/2's have the best defensive record of the comp despite finishing 4th on the season’s table, letting in a total of 10 goals all season, but more remarkably 6 of those were let in during the first 3 games of the season. So prior to this only 4 goals have been conceded in the last 16 weeks!
This superb record of course counts for nothing now and with a sluggish start to the game where the team drew a crowd of St Michaels Officials, Past Team Coaches & Players and our faithful following of family and friends.
Then the spark was put back into the Knights machine, with some great positional play and awareness Ryan cruised onto a through ball to trouble the Merrylands keeper and find the net and the enthusiasm rubbed off amongst the team. The fast running forwards continued to be interchanged at regular intervals and this troubled the opposition. Lucas was due to score and produced one of his best to bring up a 2 nil lead, which was the half-time score. The Merrylands number 11, big Louie kept his reputation intact continuingly harassing his marker from the Knights. Boys nearly half his size were recipients of Louie's bully-boy play, but to their credit the Knights focussed on the game and poor old Louie the pest must have thought the Knights had used the Mortein as they slowed him down and stepped around him.
The team were told at half time not to rest on their laurels and to play as if was still nil all and the game is theirs to win, but a slip up can have it taken away. It was an eventful and dour at time 2nd half and for once this season the 10/2's had some offside calls go our way, mainly due to the allocation of assistant ref's. If only there were assistant ref's throughout the season, who knows what the results during the season would have been?
Lewis once again played his part in goal.  He has had more work in the 2 finals matches than the competition season combined.
The score remained at 2 nil to the mighty 10/2 knights at the conclusion of the game, paving the way for 13 of the squad of 14 to line up for their 2nd grand final in 2 years.
The team would like to pay tribute to coach David who has taught the boys a regimented game plan that has proved to be effective to date and they have responded by training the house down once or twice a week throughout the season rain or shine with skill, stamina and overall enthusiasm for each other and their team. A special thanks to Jarod for his specialized after-training one-on-one goal-keeping tuition and the rest of the teams family and friends for assisting in the teams support in making the Grand Final.
The boys will be up against Kellyville in the Grand Final and have a win a piece going into the competition decider.
We wish the boys all the best in the final and if their enthusiasm is half as strong for the game as their supporters, look out Kolts - here come the Knights!



U11/5 Blk v Baulkham Hills
Score 1 – 0

It was a very warm day at Fred Caterson Reserve Castle Hill and our 10/2s just qualified for their Grand Final on the field next to us with a 2-0 win. Coming of a loss last week and Baulkham Hills having a win it was going to be tough. Baulko came out firing and had us on the back foot early like we did to Auburn last week, but before long the Knights fought back and were showing why we finished 9 points above them. The spectators were jostling for a good view as the venue was not prepared for such a turnout. Our defence was great, fullbacks Chris and Bianca holding strong, backed up by the ever solid Calvin at sweeper and Shaun in goal. Jack was revelling with his run in the midfield along with Silas and Ryan showing plenty of skill and control, and though Mitchell constantly made his presence felt up front, It was no surprise to go into half time 0-0.
The second half was just as tight and brought coach Geoff close to breaking point. James K’s determination at the back of midfield always brought the game back to us. Hazza back in the backs, kept up our strength in defence and James B and Jai brought more control to our midfield. As the Knights fought on but couldn’t break through until a great thru ball by Harry, Shaun sprinted past the off side trap to get one on one with the keeper and slot home a decisive goal. The crowd went wild. This lifted the Knights, with some sizzling breaks by Daniel, and more midfield confidence brought some great raids on goal.  We could have scored even more. The few chances our opponents did have were held off with the awareness and control of Chris in goal. Great game everyone. On to the Grand Final.
Knight of the Round – Margaret Starkey for terrific management skills