The U14.1 Team played the League Champions, Bally, at Shellharbour in the Final today. The game was a fairly scrappy affair with both Teams probably coming out pretty nervous with a lot to play for. About half way through the first half RV won a corner which was put into the box by Sam Luyten. The ball came back out to Sam and he crossed it again to find Jacob Kentta who controlled the ball well took a nice shot, giving the Bally GK no chance to make a save.

Russell Vale had a few more chances through the game but were unable to capitalise. Bally had a last minute shot on goal which went over Braeden’s head and hit the side post, taking a fortunate bounce out into the field of play with a few seconds remaining.

The good news is that the boys won and played pretty ugly. If they can pull it together and play to their potential next week there is a lot of confidence that they will do well, against a Figtree side they have had no luck against over the last few years.

Kick off in the Grand Final is 12:15 at Albion Park on the Main Field.

BE PROUD, BE GREEN, BE THERE!

The Community Day that was held to celebrate the end of season  and the official opening of our new Amenities was a raging success.

Here’s a few photos taken by one of our official photographers.

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Both RVJFC U14 teams made it through their Minor Semi Finals on the weekend.

On Saturday the 14.1 team played Shellharbour. The game finished regular time 0-0. The boys picked up their goal late in the second half of injury time to go through to the Final. To be fair the Russell Vale side had the better of both possession and chances throughout the game. The clincher came with about 5 min to go. Wilson Owen making one of his trademark busts up the line, and cut across towards goal and passed to Sam “the Assassin” Miranda who smashed the ball to the back of the net, giving the Shellharbour Goalie no chance. At the end of the day the boys thoroughly deserved their win, but will have to take it up a notch and put away a few of their many chances to progress next week. The boys will play League Champions Bally Black who lost 2-0 in the Major Final to Figgy. Kick off is next Saturday, 31st August, 8:30 kick off at Shellharbour’s home ground which is Barrack Heights Sports fields (A.K.A. Cow Paddock), next to Warilla high.

The U14 Girls got up bright and early to be at Kiama at 8:30. They took on Thirroul and dispatched them 3-0. Not sure who they play next week, but the game will be at 10:30am, also at Kiama. I’l update the post when I find out more.

Go Cobras!

This was the final game of the season for the U12A’s on a Friday evening at Cawley Park and it was nice to see them sign off with a win. It was end to end stuff from start to finish and given the two teams track record in these match ups it was surprising there wasn’t more goals.

Tarrawanna started the brightest and Brody Armour had to be alert to keep out several early shots at goal. As the half wore on Russell Vale gradually got their act together and Tom Curran, Harry Benn & Baxter Bowler Prentice all had good shots from the edge of the box. However it was left to Christian Baade Mortimer to open the scoring via his knee (what the hell they all count) and it was no more than their pressure deserved. Tarrawanna then tried hard to get back on level terms prior to the interval but the Cobras defence stood firm.

At half time both teams switched keepers, in our case it was a straight swop Brody Armour for Harrison Benn. Russell Vale saw more possession in the second half and once again had opportunities to increase their lead. Jordan Errington, Baxter Bowler Prentice and Christian Baade Mortimer all went close before Blair Dunn took advantage of a poor goal kick and scored via a deflection. Soon after it was almost 3-0 when a Blair Dunn effort rolled across the goal mouth but there was no one there to tap it in. Although Russell Vale had the better of the second half Tarrawanna did manage to pull a goal back towards the end of the game and at 2-1 it made for a nervous few minutes. Afterwards I was very pleased as Coach to see the U12A’s hadn’t lost their spirit despite a difficult season. Their rendition of the “Mighty Cobras” in the centre circle left everyone with a smile on their face.

As it happens this is the first season in over 10 years of coaching at Russell Vale that one of my team’s has failed to make the play offs but ironically this U12A side are the “best footballing side” I have ever coached. It has been a tough season for the Cobras and they had a lot of problems to overcome. First they had to adjust to the quicker pace and the physical aspect of Division II. One or two players adapted straight away, some took a little longer but overall I feel it was a good learning experience for them. Also losing our No.1 keeper Ethan Johnson early in the season (injury) and then a month later Hayley Waller (Vietnam) didn’t help with team stability but that’s football………that’s just how it goes sometimes. I’m also to blame for cancelling well over a dozen training sessions, so next year I will make sure any operations or coaching courses are done in the off season.

On the plus side we did pick up a lot of plaudits from opposing coaches for our style of football and at the start of 2013 I would have taken sixth place so there’s no reason for anyone to feel disappointed at finishing seventh. I have no doubt what soever that if these little Cobras maintain their enthusiasm, continue to work hard at training and play football the right way, given time they will be more than a match for the hoof ball teams that finished above them this year.

I’m happy to Coach again in 2014 if the players still want me but keep in mind we will need a new Manager because Renae is going to take a well earned rest. She has done a brilliant job over the last few years and will be missed. The Manager’s job is not something I would relish having to chase up all the parents, give me the kids any day.

I have heard the usual rumours about players leaving…….again that happens but normally when they are in their teens. Hopefully all the players will return in 2014, it’s great little club and well run.

I’m going to kick back now and watch LIVERPOOL, recommend you check out “No.10 Coutinho” he’s something special.

Until next year have a great summer!

YNWA

Coach

With the regular season coming to a close RVJFC will have three teams playing this weekend.

The U11 Girls will be playing Coledale at Coledale at 8:30am Sunday morning in a make-up for a washout game. The girls have had a great season with a few of them playing football for the first time. Even though we don’t keep score in SSGs they girls have been very competitive and won most of their games.

The U14 Girls finished fourth in their Comp and will play against Thirroul at Kiama on Sunday morning, kick off at 8:30am. Round 1 was a 1 all draw, Round 2 saw Thirroul come out 2-0 up.

The U14 boys also finished in fourth position and play Shellharbour at Unanderra with an 8:30 kick off on Saturday morning. The boys have had a very up and down year, but if they play to their potential they will be very difficult to beat. They played Shellharbour in the Semi Final of the Cup competition a fortnight ago. The game finished regular and extra time 1-1. Shellharbour won the penalty shootout to go onto the Final. This was sweet revenge for Shellharbour who were knocked out of the League Final last year by Russell vale in a penalty shootout.  In the league this year Round 1 was a frustrating nil all draw, Round 2 saw Shellharbour win 2-0. Should be a tight affair again this weekend.

Lakeside 4 v 0 Russell Vale

I really don’t have a lot of time for these hoof ball teams, it be may be effective as the result today demonstrates but it’s ugly and the kids aren’t learning how to play football. Lakeside had three decent players, two at the back, one quick kid up front and no midfield to speak of, mind you with their style of football they didn’t need one. For some inexplicable reason we failed to pick up their nippy little striker from start to finish and needless to say he scored three of their four goals and could of had more.

Now onto Russell Vale, it’s not often you see a team with twins in the side but today we actually fielded a side with two sets of twins Christian/Bailey & Jack/Sean, I’m just glad they’re not identical.

Right from the off Russell Vale had the majority of possession but the nearest we came to scoring were a couple of half chances from Jordan Errington and Riley Hanlon. Ten minutes into the game and against the run of play a misdirected header set up Lakeside to break away and score with their very first attack. However the turning point of the game came on the stroke of HT when Baxter Bowler Prentice was clean through with only the keeper to beat and was cynically brought down from behind in the box, incredulously the ref waved play on.

After the break we never controlled the game in the same way and Brody Armour couldn’t do much about the three goals that followed but he did do his best to keep the score line down. Our lack of concentration at the back and lack of chances up front gave the initiative back to Lakeside who took full advantage.

Throughout the match the Cobras tried to stay true to their game by passing out from the back and spreading the ball wide for the lively Christian and Bailey Baade Mortimer to take off down the wings. Unfortunately all too often the passing broke down in the final third because of our inability to hold up the ball, bring other players into the game and pressurise their defensive line into making a mistake. As a result we were forever chasing long punts back towards our own goal especially in the second half and with disastrous consequences.

After the game I told the players not to worry about the result as they were by far the better footballing team but we do have to work harder as a unit and not rely on individuals.

This result leaves us third from bottom on goal difference, so our destiny comes down to the final round at home against Tarrawanna next Friday evening.

YNWA

Coach

Here’s a copy of the Football South Coast July Newsletter

FSC July 2013 newsletter