There are some games whereby you could play all night and not score, this was one of those games………….

The fact it was a very cold and windy night should not have upset our rhythm but let’s be honest it didn’t help. It was good to see Jarod Tuckwood return to the side after a long layoff with injury, although a little bit rusty at times he tried hard to steady the midfield. However it was Kiama whom started the brightest and put the home side under a lot of pressure but the best chance they could create was turned over the bar by Sean Donnelly. Russell Vale’s passing game was still not in sync, with too many balls going astray or straight to the opposition. The few efforts we did have at goal went wide or into the safe hands of the Kiama keeper who was determined to carry on where he left off in the Plate Final. Probably because the whole Kiama team were up for this game our football tended to break down in the final third. To be fair Kiama overall probably shaded the first half.

The second half was virtually one way traffic as Russell Vale finally realised they were in a game and began to create chance after chance. Kiama were left with the occasional counterattack that Baxter Bowler Prentice and Jack Donnelly dealt with comfortably, well most of the time. It was also good to see Ethan Larnach and Tom Curren supporting the attack down the flanks. There were efforts at goal from Christian Baade Mortimer, Jordy Errington, Blair Dunn and Riley Hanlon but the best two opportunities of the game fell to Zac Winter and Tommy Heaton. I would have put my house on at least one of them scoring with only the keeper to beat but it was not to be, both efforts went wide of the goal.

As the game wore on with the score still locked at 0-0 it became a little bit frantic, when all it needed was a player to put his foot on the ball and control the game. In and around the Kiama 18 yard box the home side needed to show more patience and engage their football brains. Still it would be churlish to deny Kiama their point. They came to Cawley Park and worked very hard for each other and prevented Russell Vale from scoring for the first time this season. It’s the third time we have played them this year and something tells me it wont be the last.

As it happened Wollongong lost and Shellharbour could only draw at the weekend so we remain 9 pts clear with four league games remaining.

YNWA

Coach

Date : Sunday 3rd August 2014 (rescheduled from May)
Time : 8.30am to 2.30pm [approx]
Ground : Cawley Park, Cnr Terania and Channon Streets, Russell Vale
RSVP: Monday 28th June 2014
Cost : Nil

Draw : To be advised once RSVPs have been finalised

All clubs are invited to attend our Luke Kerr U8’s Gala Day. Our annual event promises to be an action-packed day full of great football and fun. For the last 8 years, 20 Teams each year, from around the association have joined in to make this gala day one of the best in the district! Places will fill up fast so to avoid disappointment RSVP early to secure your spot!!

It would be appreciated if all RSVPs of acceptance or otherwise be sent to our Secretary stephensmart.rvjfc@yahoo.com.au as soon as possible.  Should you have any other queries, please call Steve Smart on 0413594112, or email the above address.

When confirming attendance, please supply a contact phone number and email address for the respective coach of the attending team so that notification of cancellation due to wet weather or change in the draw can be done ASAP.

Upon arrival to the ground would the coach/manager of each team please register at the Officials Table near the Canteen 30 minutes before kick-off for our first game at 8.30am.

If for any reason you can’t make it on the day, please phone Steve Smart so that the draw can be adjusted for the benefit of the other teams.

The usual BBQ and canteen facilities will be in full swing!

Your participation in attending our memorial day for our former player, Luke Kerr, is valued. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Stephen Smart & Linda Armstrong

Term 4 commences Monday 14 July and concludes Monday 1 September (8 sessions) / Wednesday 16 July and concludes Wednesday 3 September (8 sessions).

Online registration is closed.  To register please contact Nichole 4285 6929 or 0421 060 132.

For further information please click here

With injuries and holidays continuing we were down to the bare eleven for this game, as it happens Tarrawanna were in the same situation.

Russell Vale started off pretty lively with some fast free flowing football and it only took 5mins to pierce Tarrawanna’s defence when Tommy Heaton set up Jordy Errington, 1-0. The visitors then had their best spell of the half as they tried hard to get back on level terms but a good save by Sean Donnelly kept them at bay. As Tarrawanna kept pushing forward Ethan Larnach broke quickly out of defence with the ball. A couple of one/twos as he continued his fine run before reaching the bye line and crossing for Blair Dunn to put the home side 2-0 up. Ethan Larnach was involved again in the next couple of attacks, firstly setting up Jordy Errington but his shot skimmed the bar. Then putting Riley Hanlon away, a good reverse ball to Christian Baade Mortimer who in turn set up Tommy Heaton to run on and score in off the bar, 3-0. At half time the Cobras were comfortably in control.

In the second half Russell Vale could easily have doubled the score but their profligacy in front of goal along with some dubious referee decisions resulted in only more goal…….and what a goal it was, from a free kick 25M out Blair Dunn stepped up and put a curling dipping shot into the top corner, 4-0. The half wasn’t without it’s drama as Jordy Errington hit the post, had two goals disallowed for offside and missed probably the sitter of the season. Tommy Heaton also hit the post and had another shot cleared off the line when it was clearly over.

It’s not just about goal scorers, in midfield Riley Hanlon, Christian & Bailey Baade Mortimer worked tirelessly to set up goal scoring opportunities for others. Defensively Tom Curren, Ethan Larnach, Baxter Bowler Prentice & Jack Donnelly were as solid as a rock for most of the game. However there was just one spell in the second half when we went to sleep and Sean Donnelly had to pull off several good saves in as many minutes to maintain a clean sheet.

Considering the lack of training in the past two weeks, overall it was a very pleasing and entertaining performance. The only disappointing thing for me on the day was the lack of enthusiasm and participation in the “three cheers” after the game. No one likes a sore loser but a bad winner is even worse, it shows a lack of respect for your opponents.

Our next game is home to Kiama on Friday evening, training times Mon/Wed as per normal.

YNWA

Coach