Mount Colah Football Club

Game 1, 2 April 2011 - U13

With nine survivors from last year's team, and four joining us, we have a squad of 13 this year. Today was our first match together; no trial games were possible this year, so there was some uncertainty about how we would gel. Turns out that our opponents, West Pymble, were in the same boat; blending players from several teams, with no trial games either. The morning was very dewy for our 8:30 start and we fielded 12, with Nikki away on holidays.

West Pymble were fast out of the blocks and pressured us early, with a floater from the left curling across the goalmouth. The goal kick went to a WP player who shot again, only for Matthew to gather easily and punt it down the right. Some quick passing saw Cam N set Aynsley up for a shot, and we were up 1-0 inside 3 minutes. Then the pressure mounted with WP pressing forward, and their two pacey wingers giving our defence a hard time. Just on 6 minutes another shot from the left dipped, spun through Matthew's hands, and it was 1-1 with 6 minutes on the clock. The rest of the half was one way traffic. WP had plenty of opportunities which went wide, or straight at Matthew, and one screamer that came off the crossbar. Greg, Sam H, Nick and Lachlan were kept busy in the back line; our midfield was in there trying; and the forwards didn't see much ball unless they came looking for it in defence. Two minutes from half time Sam H went down. He had kicked a ball in cover defence, felt something go in his hip, and limped off, taking no further part in the match. Hopefully he will be OK next week. Half time, locked at 1-1 with WP dominating, Rob asked for more effort and got it.

The second half was much more even. Sam B steadied the midfield with Cam N, Georgina and Cam K, Aynsley moved into defence to cover for Sam H, and Bonnie and Josh were up front. We didn't spend a lot of time in the WP half but gave them much less time on the ball, and they were reduced to a series of long-range shots. We only got one more chance on goal which came from Aynsley. He jigged and dummied past three or four players, put in an angled shot from the left, and slid it past the keeper. Ten minutes to go, 2-1 up, and the intensity picked up again. WP threw everything at us, our guys scrambled and cleared, and finally the clock ran down. Against the flow, we had won, and done it with no second-half subs.

You have to feel sorry for WP, they dominated without luck, but we took our chances. A great effort, the best early game for quite some time, and signs emerging that this team can work well together. Thanks to Craig for reffing the first half, and Helmut for running the line.

Denis (Manager)