Match Reports 

Under 13s
Stuart Bethell

With a second game against Heidelberg in 2 weeks, we had a chance to improve on last week’s heavy defeat. Training was back to basics and plenty of possession work. This is something we have struggled with all season. Unfortunately, I think too many of the team keep trying to do too much with the ball instead of just doing the basics well.

Before the game we discussed trying keeping possession to 3 touches maximum wherever possible. If we run with the ball and take too many touches, not only do we get closed down but our passing options do too.

The game started with us on the back foot but we kept their shots to long range efforts which were comfortable for our goalkeeper. It wasn’t long before we started to lose our way. Our positioning while defending left a lot to be desired and keeping the ball for long periods was also non-existent.

Heidelberg were just too good all over the pitch and it showed more and more as the game went on. Although we kept them to 4 goals (2 less than last week) we were never in it as a contest. We have two games to go and these are our last chances to show everyone how we have progressed this season. 

Under 14s
Shaban Mehmet

A chance to back up a good performance against a formidable opponent this week. A week where the team had school camps, a case of food poisoning and the flu, preparations were a little off going in.

In saying all this I thought we played fairly well in the first half creating some good chances but not scoring. Ground conditions were very heavy which made it tough to play a flowing game.

Second half we were a bit flat and were suckered into the niggling and scuffling from Heidelberg. We lost focus and the game. Still very proud of the the group working through a tough week off the pitch.

Under 15s
Paul Nieuwenhuizen

What a difference a week makes! With training this week hampered by school camps, injury & illness our preparation was less than ideal, but could not have delivered a better result.

The turnaround between last week’s game to this week’s game was fantastic. From the first whistle the team was there to play. They worked as a unit to close the player with the ball, and continually worked to deny Heidelberg time to play. This pressure was evident from the forward line to the back line.

While Heidelberg managed a few shots on goal in the first half, they were under pressure and the ball went wide of the target or was dealt with easily by the keeper or the defensive unit. The pressure applied across the pitch meant we could create a few chances but unfortunately, we could not capitalise.

At halftime, the team was congratulated on the way they were playing and reminded that if they kept playing like they were the reward will come.

In the second half, the team carried on denying time and space and working to support each other. This pressure continued to put Heidelberg on the back foot and prevented them creating any real goal scoring chances. The team was soon rewarded for their pressure, with a goal after winning possession back in the midfield and quickly transitioning from defence to attack.

A second (a cheeky little chip) and third goal soon followed and with the wind in their sails the team continued to push numbers forward looking for more goals. However, in the last 10 minutes, tiredness began to creep in and we conceded a couple of goals because we failed to apply pressure on the ball. Despite the lapse in concentation we held on for a well deserved win. 

A thanks to Marcus, Teng & Brandon from the under 14s for stepping up and giving their all. The team showed it can play against the “big boys” when they are switched on.

Under 16s
Tommy Giuliani

Interesting game on Sunday. We played on a goat track and the football on display was a reflection of this. The game never reached great heights and it took us 35 minutes into the first half to start stringing together some passing combinations.

I thought we slipped back in some areas; our intensity to close down spaces out of possession was down, when we had possession players were on the ball too long.

This week we'll push hard on 2 touch football. Quick pass and move. Simple,slick and fast ball movements . "Simple" seems to be a challenge but to be top shelf we need to meet that challenge.

Next week at Northcote will be a huge game. On Friday night we'll be working on BPO-"pressuring and disturbing". I'll be pushing the boys well out of their comfort zones. 2 weeks to go, let's not waste a minute being soft. I'm very excited by the talent at this club. The training standards are lifting all the time and the numbers have been up which is very encouraging. 

Under 18s
Glen Wilson

Last week at training we worked on attacking from wide areas and in the game we put this to good use as we were quite prolific going forward.  

Considering the state of the pitch the quality of play was very good from both teams. We were very threatening when we had the ball and managed to score 3 first half goals. We did however concede 2 to go in 3-2 up at the break. 

Both teams continued to play good quality football- they equalised and the we went ahead 4-3.  Unfortunately for us we conceded another equaliser on the last play of the match.  Doh!

The end result saw another first for us - our first draw 4-4! Or as Tommy G said, we win on aggregate 6-2.

Once again many thanks for all the lads for filling in to help us get the result.

Codes of Conduct for everyone