U18A

Game 11, 6 August 2011 - U18A

Game 11, 6 Aug 2011 - U18A

Today’s match against Berowra at Parklands would be the last of the season for the team after the KDSA reduced our division to 5 teams, so with rained out weekends, holidays & byes, we find ourselves sitting out the last 2 rounds. With no wins on the board it was all down to this last match against the competition leaders who were coming off a 6-0 demolition of the previously undefeated Lindfield. Parko & James were both out due to knee injuries, as was Coach Mario so it was left up to the “Supercoach” to take over. (only saying that ‘cause my record of a draw was intact). Sam was joining the team for the first time this season after withdrawing before any games got underway with a back injury. We also enlisted the help of James, Ben & Mohan from the 18B team to give us 3 subs for the first time this year.

The game got underway under magnificently clear skies & it wasn’t long before Berowra had their first shot, which was pulled in by a diving Josh H. The tide started to turn with Josh M having our first attempt, the ball sailing over the top of goal. Sam was playing up front with the specific instructions that if he got half a chance to shoot, then take it. It wasn’t long before he had his first shot, though not troubling the keeper. He would have a few more before the half was over, none successful though. Joe wasn’t feeling 100% so he came off midway through the first half, with Ben taking his place in defence. Sam also was starting to feel the heat so Mohan went on to give him a break. Brock’s niggling back injury also saw him come off for a spell, James moving onto the field to have a run. Coach Mario finally arrived, hobbling to the sideline to give his expert assistance. All the boys were working together and were starting to get on top of Berowra, certainly playing better than any of their previous matches; however Berowra were given the tiniest bit of room to move and made the most of it by scoring the first goal, against the run of play I would say. Soon after Faisal was taken out in the box and Daniel stepped up to take the penalty. He was spot on target and the boys would go to the break at 1-1.

The starting line-up took to the park for the second half, apart from Sam, who was still feeling the heat a little, with a headache. Mohan stayed on up front as the boys got straight back into it. Matt, Chris, Faisal and Michael were working overtime at the back at they constantly frustrated the Berowra attack and making Josh’s job as Keeper much easier. Connor, Joe and Josh M were controlling the middle of the park as Daniel, Brock and Mohan did their best to give the team another goal. Brocks back finally gave out and Sam went back on to take up his spot, Daniel copped an accidental kick to the knee and was replaced by James, Faisal was running out of puff with Ben moving in to his spot at the back. The boys were really starting to frustrate Berowra with some great play and with around 15mins to go, Sam made a fantastic run up the left side beating a few defenders and crossing the ball to the box where Mohan was waiting to slam it home, which he did. This fired up a few of the Berowra boys who were clearly frustrated that their Div1 title was slipping from their grasp. The boys dug deep as Berowra threw everything at them. Matt and Josh M would both receive Yellow Cards for their vigorous defence but it was all worth it as the boys hung on to beat the big guns 2-1, a magnificent effort for their final game for the season and the final game in 18’s for some. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!

What a fantastic effort today boys. If a bit more luck had gone our way in some of the close games you could have had a few more wins during the season. A big thank you to Ben, Mohan and James for backing up for us, especially as they all played a full game with the short on players B team beforehand, only 9 players for most of that match. Thank you to the families of the team for turning up, many of you each week, to cheer them on. I’m glad the boys could finally reward you with a win. Also thanks to Josh E for running the line today. I would like to thank Mario for his efforts in coaching the team this year. It has been nothing less than a frustrating year but all of the boys have enjoyed his enthusiasm and commitment. As I will be remaining with the 18’s for one more year I hope that Mario would consider taking the helm again.

Well that’s it...our next outing is Gala Day...one last hurrah!

Cheers

JB (Manager)

Footnote: The washed out game against Kissing Point has been a late inclusion to our schedule. We play this match on Sunday 21st.

Last Updated (Monday, 22 August 2011 08:16)

Game 10, 30 July 2011 - U18A

After yet another week missing out due to the wet weather the boys took to the park against St Ives at Warrimoo under magnificent blue skies. For the first time in many games we actually has an interchange player, with Parko returning from injury and again his brother Lachie joining us, this time out on the middle as Josh H made his return to Keeper. Chris and Brock were heading up the forwards with Matt slotting into sweeper, backing up Michael, Joe, Faisal and Parko. Connor, Daniel and Josh M were running the centre of the park. Not long in and the tone of the match was set as Brock received his first ever Yellow Card for an alleged push in the back of an opposing player. Every time someone brushed an opponent the whistle went. The match was fairly even when Brock was himself taken down, resulting in a St Ives Yellow Card. Parko had his first attempt at goal shooting the ball wide. Next on the Yellow Card list was Joe, for his slide tackle. As per usual the St Ives coach was very vocal, getting into an unprovoked slanging match with Mario and Parko on the sidelines. Lucky a certain Person of a high position in a certain association was there to tell Mario who he was and to “Pipe down”, or words to that effect, nothing said to his bloke who initiated the attack. Meanwhile on the field, St Ives made a break and despite Josh’s effort the ball found the net. On the stroke of half time Brock was taken down in a big hit, landing heavily, but this time, surprisingly, no card was produced. With the score 0-1 at half time, the game was still there for the taking.

Things settled a little in the second half, off the field at least, but on the field the Yellows kept flowing with Michael being shown the little piece of plastic for kicking a ball away. Lachie settled well into his role in the back line making some good tackles. However it was St Ives who would score again from a long attempt. Nothing was going right for the team. Matt, who was working his butt off as sweeper, was then shown a Yellow for his pushing “run” on a St Ives player. This one had every one stumped, including the St Ives camp. Parko limped off midway through the half with his knee once again hurt. Whilst the boys, made some good breaks it always seemed to falter at the final play. Lastly, it was Josh M’s turn to win his ticket in the “Yellow Card Lottery”...I can’t even tell you what this one was for! With not long to go in the season the boys are trying hard to get that win on the board...it will come. Thanks to Sean for running the line in the 2nd half.

Cheers

JB (Manager)

Game 9, 16 July 2011 - U18A

Would today’s game go ahead after all of the rain? Berowra looked like they had secured their long awaited swimming pool; it was in the middle of the pitch. However the game did start and then the fog rolled in. So between the Fog water and mud it was going to be a battle of those that could find their way and hold their footing. Daniel and Chris combined for our first attempt but it would go wide. As more fog rolled in, this time heavier, Lachie was beaten by a long ball lobbed over his head. I doubt that he could see where it was going. The conditions were not making it pretty for quality football but the boys would go the the break down only by one goal.

Unfortunately the luck wouldn’t last as Berowra found their rhythm with many more attempts than us in this half. With no reserves and Chris suffering a bad head cold it wasn’t long before Berowra was turning the boys inside out. When Chris took a heavy knock and came off there was little chance of stopping the onslaught. The final score would be 0-6, not pretty but what can you do with so little training or games due to the weather and no subs.

Cheers

JB (Manager)

Game 8, 25 June 2011 - U18A

Competition leaders Lindfield, without any subs was going to be a tough ask but the team worked hard, with Matt slotting into the Keepers role, something that he has had plenty of practice at over the years. The boys were holding well, Brock having the first shot but it wasn’t hard enough. He then took a corner kick, finding Connors head, the ball just skimming over the top bar. Josh H corked his knee in a heavy collision so the team had to play a man down for the last 5 mins of the half. It wasn’t until this time that Matt was really tested and he handled it easily. We were lucky not to be 2 men down as Chris and a Lindfield player received a Yellow Card for a bit of biffo, the score 0-0 at the break.

A lot more talk from the boys today as they sucked up air at every opportunity, though they were struggling at times. The defence certainly had their work cut out as Lindfield had a few corners in succession. Chris booted the ball clear as he ran in behind Matt who had been beaten by the ball. In another scramble in the box Lindfield had a ball deflect off one of our boys, the ball beating Matt after he thought he had it covered until the deflection. We had a few more chances as Josh M had one go wide and Daniel had what everybody thought was the equaliser, but it hit the top bar and bounced away. Not to worry, a great effort against the top runner in Div 1. Out of all the teams, we have given them the hardest games.

Cheers

JB (Manager)

Game 7, 11 June 2011 - U18A

St Ives on a sunny June morning at Parklands, with James from the 18B’s backing up after his earlier game to join the team for the first time. Lachie would again back up as Keeper and it would be a real test of his patience as St. Ives started strongly. He managed to save their first attempt but it wouldn’t be long before he would be beaten, just like the rest of the backline by some fancy footwork. Down the other end Brock crossed a great ball to Connor but he missed the goal. A mistake in defence saw St. Ives slot in another goal. It was all St Ives as they headed the ball over Lachie for yet another. Finally Mt Colah score....an own Goal... as Chris leapt high to head the ball, Lachie calling it his but Chris couldn’t pull out and the ball came off at the wrong angle, over Lachie and in despite his desperate scramble to stop it. James and Brock combined to force a corner, with Brock curling a good ball to Daniel who passed out to Josh M. Who calmly smashed it at goal, the ball sailing past the Keeper, to make the score 1-4 at half time.

Another corner early in the second half and Brock this time struck it perfectly, curling the ball in with his left foot as the Keeper moved out too early to trail by 2. Unfortunately the team didn’t capitalise on the play and soon let St. Ives back in with a fairly soft goal. They were lining up to have a go and they would get another four goals before the match was over. Brock was taken out in the box and his penalty went too high, hitting the top bar and then cleared by St. Ives. A cross found Chris’ head to secure another for the team but in the end St. Ives were just too good winning 9-3. Thanks again to Colin for running the line.

Cheers

JB (Manager)

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Mount Colah Football Club

U18A

Game 11, 6 August 2011 - U18A

Game 11, 6 Aug 2011 - U18A

Game 10, 30 July 2011 - U18A

Game 10, 30 July 2011 - U18A

Game 9, 16 July 2011 - U18A

Game 9, 16 July 2011 - U18A

Game 8, 25 June 2011 - U18A

Game 8, 25 June 2011 - U18A

Game 7, 11 June 2011 - U18A

Game 7, 11 June 2011 - U18A