Match Reports
11/5 v Wenty Waratah Black
Loss 0 – 5
Well let’s just say that this was not the team’s finest hour.
The first 5 minutes were promising, but after that the boys were under constant attack. The opposition scored their first goal after 10 minutes which unfortunately set the tone for the 1st half. The Knights were not hungry enough for the ball, showed a lack of ball control & did not demonstrate the great passing they have been showing in recent matches. Both teams seemed to be playing what could only be described as a wild kicking game with the ball all over the place like a yo-yo. Most of the half was spent in our defensive half & by half time, we were two goals down.
After a pep talk at half time, the boys came out showing a much better effort in the 2nd half. We had a few good attacking runs up the left sideline. Unfortunately our attack kept hitting their defensive wall, & we were therefore mostly on the back foot. Without any subs, the boys tried their best, but struggled to keep attacking the ball & to mark their players. Unfortunately a few mistakes made in crossing the ball across goal in defence proved to be dangerous. By full time another three goals had been conceded & with our boys scoreless.
Thanks to Adam & Thomas for their persistent efforts in goals in what was a difficult game.
The encouragement award went to Josh K for a great job in defence under pressure & displaying some nice passing & good ball control. Knight of the round went to Thomas who put in a big effort on field in the 1st half, & took to the goals in the 2nd.
12/4 v Granville
Loss 1- 5
It was a cold, windy and gloomy day in more ways than one. We were up against a good side and with no reserves it was always going to be an uphill battle and certainly panned out that way. Everywhere you looked there were black and white jumpers. Hopefully our guys will learn from their positional play and urgency on the ball.
In the first half Chris was bombarded in goals and despite making some good saves and putting his body on the line they managed to score 4 goals. We did take some positives out of the second half where we showed a bit of heart and only lost this 2-1, due to Sean slotting a goal from close range and Ryan making some leaping saves in goal.
‘Mr Consistent’ James Beck made some good inroads and I am still trying to understanding how his cracking shot at goal hit the posted and missed. It typified the day!
James K, Daniel, Ali and Jai all put in big efforts in attack and defence and never gave regardless of the score board. As always Harry showed good ball control coupled with tenacious in defence. Another real positive to come out of the game was Nathan’s improvement. He gets better and better each week and was gallant in the defensive line.
However, the Knight of the Round and rightly so was CALVIN. He encountered several attacking raids with many unmarked players and with his great read of play he managed to close down the attack. They could have easily scored another 3 to 4 goals without Calvin. Hopefully the boys will turn up ready and rearing to go next week when we will welcome back Mitch, Hazza and Nick with open arms.
9 Green v Castle Hill Black
Win 2 – 1
The boys arrived at their home ground greeted by a sunny day. Nerves were high, as our experiences in the past against Castle Hill usually meant a loss. From the initial kick off, Castle Hill made a huge breakaway run, but solid defence from Lee and Ayush in the backfield ensured that our goal was safe. Two quick corners from Castle Hill, but our defence was up to the task.
A great clearing goal kick from goalie Scott led to fast attacking play with accurate passing from Soham to his team mates. Josh playing on right wing was in the thick of things from the start. Zach showed excellent ball control and intercepted a strong goal kick to go on the attack. Soham, Zach and Josh all displayed excellent passing skills, moving the ball well around the field. Lee showed grit and determination whilst shadowing the attacking players and thwarting their attempts to shoot for goal. Lachlan was having a tremendous game with beautiful passing kicks to his team-mates in mid field and precision footwork.
The boys kept attacking the ball. Harry executed a strong pass into the goal square where Alex was waiting but the boys were denied again with great defence from Castle Hill who protected their goal well. Castle Hill were on the attack again but Lee was at the ready and Ayush continued to put his body on the line defending our goal.
The boys continued to play an attacking game, with beautiful passes from Lachlan from the right wing, but once again found the solid defence of Castle Hill. Alex showed great ball control, trapping a long pass and shooting for goal, but once again the goalie was up to the task. Addy continued to attack the ball and got away some beautiful kicks down field. Then, against the run of play, Castle Hill broke free and the boys were scrambling to get back into defence. Castle Hill scored and they now led 1-0.
The boys didn’t let this phase them and continued to work hard with the ball, Lachlan continuing to play well, unlucky not to score. Joshua, Addy and Lee were like terrier dogs, worrying the ball and the players of the opposition – never giving up and following through to the end. The boys had another opportunity with an open goal mouth, but were unable to convert.
The second half began with a great kick off pass to Harry who forged his way down the wing. Harry passed into Alex, who once again showed great footwork, passing back to Harry who tore down the left wing, breaking through the defensive line and forcing a number of corners. Castle Hill regained possession, but Soham was waiting and executed a brilliant pass to Alex in mid field who passed back to Soham, who passed onto Harry waiting to score a decisive goal. The score was 1-1!! A great team effort goal – the boys were back in the game!
Castle Hill went back on the attack and Zach had now moved into goals and had his work cut out for him. Castle Hill fired in a number of shots, but Zach’s quick reflexes and agility made sure our goal was safe. He was ably supported by Lachlan, who had now moved into fullback. Alex, Lee and Scott were working the ball in mid field. Sam had a number of opportunities with strong runs down the field and decisive shots at goal. Then our chance came, with Sam providing a perfect cross kick to Scott who was calling for the ball in front of the goal face. Scott sized it up and scored. The Knights now led 2-1.
Castle Hill went into attack again, but Ayush and Lachlan were strong in the back field, with Ayush in particular showing fantastic form. A great goal kick from Lachlan put our boys back on the attack. A great clearing goal kick from Lachlan provided Harry with the opportunity to take the ball down field once again. The boys had a number of attempts, but Castle Hill was strong in defence. Joshua continued to play well into the second half, worrying the other players, stealing the ball and making great passes. Harry rifled off a great pass to Soham who was waiting to shoot, only to be denied by a great save from the Castle Hill goalie.
The whistle finally went and the parents let out a collective sigh of relief – our boys had defeated Castle Hill!! Congratulations to all the boys on a wonderful game all round. At the end of the completed round one the Under 9 Green team is UNDEFEATED!!
14/3 v Rouse Hill
Draw 3 – 3
The last encounter was played underwater at Commercial Rd and was our first win of the season. With poor weather forecast we were all hoping for dry shoes and a similar result. It was difficult to take in the details with your sideline eye assisting in the canteen, so if those who managed to cling to a draw rather than concede defeat are not individually mentioned, please forgive me.
The Rams seemed fast, just like last time. Robert scored, the Rams retaliated and then took the lead. Johnny enhanced the score with a successful penalty. In the second half Jackson and Andrew exchanged the goalie jersey and the match continued. Shortly into it Andrew was caught ‘short’ as the ball was popped high above him and he couldn’t manage to get his fingertips to it. 3-2 and once again having to play catch-up! The Rams were more confident and effective with their passing this time. It probably had something to do with not having to swim.
Little Josh continue to display his terrific tenacity whenever the ball is on range and Jackson saved a certain goal within the goal mouth through his skill.
Time was running out and the whistle was imminent. I raced to my second match, and in the coach’s sms he described what happened. Little John ‘chipped the keeper, who spun, reached out, flicked the ball off the line, but John volleyed it home!’ The loss was averted and we had finally ‘caught up’ with a three all draw.
Snr 7 v Norwest
Win 3 – 1
Norwest had nothing to lose today, as the tribunal had reduced all their accumulated points, but they were not cowered in their play and they still wanted the win. Norwest came out with high spirits and loud voices. The ref had to keep a tight rein on several vocal players who wanted to direct the game themselves.
The first apparent goal was scored and ultimately denied when it came from a hand-ball. Rhys, the denied player (who had put his hand up to admit he put his hand up) then finished off an indirect for our first.
The second half started similarly, with St Michael’s leading 1 to 0 and Norwest challenging and the players clashing solidly. The ground was slippery and heavy, the conditions cold and damp, but play was heated. In contrast to the heavy defence Norwest had offered in the first half Glenn scored a goal that just seemed to roll in. Our lads then kept the ball in profitable territory and the third goal, while nearly headed home by Andy was ultimately fired home by the reliable boot of Wayne.
Glenn continues to throw himself into everything in acrobatic fashion, wowing the Marmee Army and his little brother Corby. Trot took an uncharacteristic turn in goal (It’s quieter there) and was luckless in not stopping Glenn from scoring for the opposition. I guess Glenn just likes scoring goals! Let’s hope we get a dry ‘holiday Monday’. A pipe dream perhaps?
8D V Baulkham Hills
Loss 0 – 1
It was a cool start to the day, the sun was out, albeit fleetingly, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of our team. Coach Darren and Andrew (Nicholas’ Dad) provided the boys with an invigorating warm up session prior to the game.
The first half was very exciting to watch for the spectators as our team had majority of the ball possession. It was great to see that our extra training session on Thursday night had paid off, with the boys marking their players, and using a better attacking game. Their ball skills are really improving. The score at half time was 0 – 0. The boys came off the field ‘pumped’, and hungry for more action.
The second half all our parents were off the seats, cheering and supporting our little warriors on the field. The chill in the air was rather ‘fresh’ to stay the least, but the game was ‘nail biting’, neither side relenting. Both Aiden and Nicholas, were our goalies for the game, they did a fantastic job in defending our goal. Nicholas showed great courage and skill by launching himself in the air to save a goal – it was awesome to watch. Baulkham Hills scored a goal towards the end of second half.
Our boys should be very proud of themselves; they played a good defensive and attacking game today. Sadly, another loss for our team, but ever the optimist, there’s always Monday’s game to WIN!!
Thank you to the mums and dads who cheered madly on the sidelines, providing such wonderful support to the boys. Thank you Coach Darren, for your passion, inspiration and encouragement for the boys, week in and week out.
Congratulations to: Michael (Knight of the Round), and
Andrew (Encouragement Award).
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