Well, what can I say?? Another week and another pretty impressive performance. It would take a tough task master to fault the performance, but when the only thing you can say is “You should have scored more” things can’t be too bad! Well done to everyone.

We were without Thomas Murray due to illness, but thanks to Paul for coming down and helping out around the ground.We shuffled the back line a bit and tried to chain Mark to one of the full back positions. The “pass master” did a great job and got forward quite a lot. Dean was also shackled to the centre back position with TK, and Jas played in the other full back position. I think the most impressive statistic of the year so far is that we have only given up 2 goals all year, and that is testament to how well these guys are playing each week. Braeden was also recovering from the flu so was happy to go relatively untested. I left a little early to go and watch Ben play but I think I can only remember him touching the ball once or twice.

Jacob, SamM, SamL and Ryan kept the opposition busy up front. There were quite a few times when I counted 10 opposition bodies inside the 8 yard box, especially on TK’s thunderous corners. The kids will have to learn how to break down this type of defensive play, and will soon figure out that they can keep the ball wide, drag players out and then send it in, rather than belting the ball into a wall of players. Goals went to SamM, Jacob, Reuben and Ryan.

The last word should be saved for our mid field trio of MattyD, Reuben, and Wilson. I reckon that Wilson had his best game of the season, if not the best game of anyone this year. Julio put it best when he said he was “carving them up” the right side. It was an absoloute bloodbath. Well done Wil.

Don’t like our chances of training this week, but let’s hope for the best.

Garry

Today was always going to be a bit of a let down after last weekend’s highs. On top of that no training during the week due to wet weather and an unsure start to Saturday morning. The ground at Cawley Park today was very slippery (I hope it survives the senior football this afternoon!) and as result the boys never really got their game going. There were flashes of it but not the fluency of last weekend. In saying that some fine performances were on display by Ethan Johnson in goals then out on the field. Casey Bray put on some fine defensive work and Angus Smart and Ben Charlesworth continued to improve. I think the boys learnt today that we need to improve our individual ball skills to take our game to the next level. The Balgownie team today had 3 or 4 players that demonstrated this to the boys. I think Jack Donnelly’s head is still spinning from a display of footwork from a girl in their team that is the best I have seen from any player all season. In saying all that in previous weeks a team like the one from Balgownie would have pumped us by 6 or more goals. Today they could only get 2 past us and had to fight all the way to the line for their win. A point mentioned by their coach at fulltime. In summary, a good performance by the boys. We look forward to next week.

Pep Guardiola

Well a home game for us this week in what appeared to be some dodgy weather. But the rain stayed away for us and we made our first walk across the creek for a rematch against bulli. We went down to Bulli in round one, but a lot of improving in our passing ad our team play had us ready for bigger things today.

We had the downhill run in the first half. The kids were on fire! The passing was great, positions were being played and the effort of everyone was huge. Hard to single out individuals as every one was doing their best. Riley w was great in goals in the first half as was Nash in the second half. Olivia and Josh were great today, with Josh taking player of the match for his effort. Ben and corey were everywhere and Riley E and ryan were great in the midfield today. Nash stuck to his position well and made a lot of good tackles and runs.

The second half was a bit tougher but we hung in there for a really well earned win today.

Thanks to everyone who helped with ground duty. A special note for Karen W who went to a lot of trouble to get out of canteen duty. Since when is having a baby a pass note for canteen?!? Congratulations on the birth of Ruby from all of us.

See you all next week when I hope we can build on our effort from today.

Heidi

Rnd 8

Sunday 30 May

Thirroul 1 v 6 Russell Vale

As usual with early kick offs we found ourselves 1-0 down in the first 10 mins. Four players attempted and failed to clear a routine cross and the ball feel kindly for Thirroul’s centre forward to stroke the ball home from 6 yrds out. Although the pitch was wet and the conditions very windy it was the same for both sides but Thirroull just appeared the sharper of the two for the first half n hour. Gradually Russell Vale managed to claw their way back into the game and on the stroke of HT, Matt Nelson was quickest to react to a Joel Dalmonte free kick to turn the ball home and make it 1-1.

A few choice words from the Coach at the interval saw the Cobras return to the field, fired up to score five unanswered goals. A reverse pass from Nathan Armstrong set up Shae Morgan to give Russell Vale a 1-2 lead. Soon after Hayden Brown laid it on for Matt Nelson to claim his second of the game 1-3. Then poor old Nathan Hennessy was denied again by the woodwork after a neat one two with Matt Nelson. However Shae Morgan did set him up 5 mins later to make it 1-4 and allow Nathan Hennessy to finally claim his first goal for the Club. Thirroull didn’t give up and Gareth Garnon had to turn a shot over the bar at one end while Jean Paul had a similar effort at the Thirroul goal. A good pull back by Shae Morgan allowed Hayden Brown to score his first of the season via the post. A couple of minutes later after a good run by Chris Behan, a Hayden Brown rocket made it 1-6. As the Coach I can’t complain it was in the end a good result under difficult conditions but there are still a few areas that need to be improved.
Regards,

Shaun Hamlet

Round 7 Match Report

U8Green vs Corrimal White

With the wind blowing about and no evidence of the much coveted footy chips at the canteen, U8G took to the field to play Corrimal with a player short.

Despite having one less player, from the outset our team was the strongest on field. There was a plethora of gaols and Stuart himself smacked five solid crackers into the back of the net!  At times there were scrappy moments and our players had to lift themselves up and get on with the job. Playing to the whistle, U8G demonstrated maturity and good sportsmanship.

There wasn’t a great amount of positional play due to the many offensive opportunities in the game. Many players went for solo runs with mixed results. They will need to ensure that they tighten their game play when playing stronger oppositions. This is where solid and effective passing becomes critical to guarantee forward movement of the ball.

It was an interesting game to watch and the team felt victorious after winning 8 nil with a player short. Match awards went to Stuart for his amazing score card and Josh Burton for his great efforts and super goal!

Wow, what a weekend can make in football. The 9Whites continued where they left on Saturday, producing fine football, with the team and all players showing continued improvement. The day was a successful one for the Russell Vale club with the 9Green’s putting on good performances and the club winning the march past (The trophy will be on display in the canteen and will be paraded on presentation day).

In regards to the 9Whites we came away with 2 wins, a draw and a loss from our 4 games. The first game was against a solid Port Kembla outfit, from what I have seen, one of the top 4 or 5 teams getting around in the U9’s. We lost to them 3-0. I would have liked to have played them later in the day because this first game was an adjustment game for my boys, changing from 60x40m field with 9v9 to a 40x30m field with 7v7. The next game was against our opposition from Saturday, Bellambi. We totally dominated this game winning, I think, about 4-0. The next game against my mates team (Shane Hawken) was going to be a “barometer” game as we have played them twice this season with Bulli proving too strong over the course of the two games. So I was very keen to see how much we had actually improved because the last time we met they ran away with a 6-1 win. At the end of the game my conclusion has been supported by our performances over the last few games. The game ended up 2-2 with no side being able to get on top of the other. We have improved in all aspects of our play.

The final game was against Albion Park. Once again a real solid team with some fine young players. The 9Whites tackled, chased, passed, kicked (the ball!!!) and worked together as a team like I have not observed before. We were outstanding winning 2-1. I would like to bottle that performance and give every player a dose before each match because if we can consistently produce that performance we will be on fire!!!!

A few notes from the day Ethan Johnson and Kye Watts were outstanding in goals, Kye and Ethan have really started to show an interest in this position and are developing courage, technique and exceptional kicking technique both out of the hands and on the ground. I have unearthed two “weapons” from the weekend Jordan Errington with a couple of right foot “screamers” that nearly punched a hole in the net and Blair Dunn who found the confidence to “let rip” with his left foot punching more holes in the net with left foot “screamers”. If I had to pick a player of the day Blair would get my vote. Tommy Curren ran all day playing a range of positions. I am starting to call him Mr Realible. Jack Donnelly at the back, and Jack Bell up front, were solid and continuing to show improvement and excellence. Sean Donnelly, Casey Bray and Jake Ryan have started to show a liking and skill in the midfield roles with their tackling, passing and defending going ahead in leaps and bounds. Finally I cant end this report without mentioning the improvement my son, Angus Smart has shown during the weekend. He likes playing fullback and his clearances from the back were out of sight in the Albion Park game and he was shutting down everything that came his way. The highlight of the day was a scintillating run down the left wing which reminded me of someone????

What a day the Russell Vale club had. The 9White season is going ahead with leaps and bounds. Thanks to all the parents, family and friends for your support thus far. It is much appreciated. Onwards and upwards!!!!!

Pep Guardiola

Rnd 6

Friday 21 May
Russell Vale 7 v 0 Kiama

The last time we played Kiama was in 2008 and they had just beaten us in the Grand Final, so the Cobras were really up for this game. Right from the kick off Kiama were on the back foot and I think it must have been 10mins before they even touched the ball. Though they started the game a man short Kiama’s rear guard action managed to keep the Cobras at bay for almost 25 mins. A goal mouth scramble nearly produced the first goal and soon after a free kick from Hayden Brown was tipped round the post. Then 10mins before HT a neat passing move involving several players ended with Hayden Brown setting up Matt Neslson to make it 1-0. Soon after a Hayden Brown shot rebounded into the path of Matt Nelson to make it 2-0. Then on the stroke of HT Hayden Brown set up Matt Nelson for his hat-trick and to give Russell Vale a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Warning against complacency at half time, Russell Vale came out all guns firing and it wasn’t long before Hayden Brown set up Matt Nelson once again to make it 4-0. Just to prove he is human after all Matt then missed a sitter before Chris Behan set him up with goal No.5. Chris Behan also went close with several efforts at goal but failed to find the target. Nathan Hennessy continued his run of hard luck in front of goal when a superb turn and shot hit the inside of the post but unfortunately rebounded to safety. Then the surprise of the evening came when Coen MacKay stole in at the far post to make it 6-0 (I guess we will be hearing about that goal for a long time to come). With the clock running down Hayden Brown once again was the provider for Matt “The Neslonator” to add his sixth goal and make the final score 7-0 on the night.

Besides those players involved with the goals it was an excellent team performance and highlights the strength we have in the squad especially when you consider we had several key players unavailable for the game. Kurtis Trindall and Jawad Khan were both calm and composed in the centre of defence, plus Nathan Armstrong’s telepathic prowess in midfield had to be seen to be believed. Jean Paul our new signing from Columbia made his debut but will need to time to adapt to a different style of football, get used to his new team mates and adjust to the Aussie culture.

Regards,

Shaun Hamlet