Another Major Semi, and anothes loss on penalties for the kids. What really hurts is that they deserved to go through, but couldn’t put the ball into the net. Dean Owen took a video of the game and I had the opportunity to check it out tonight. Trust me, it wasn’t any easier to watch it again.

We probably didn’t start the game very well, and most of the play was in our own half, but they didn’t create any real chances. SamM probably had the best chance of the opening period but lifted the ball over the cross bar. After about 15 mins they sent a long ball through which wasn’t dealt with very well and they put it away for a one nil lead. To their credit the kids woke up and started passing a bit better. Matty D was outside the box and found himself in space . He gave the ball a bit of a whack and it sailed into the net without giving teh keeper any chance. This was followed up by chances to SamM, SamL, and another longer range effort from Matty. Right on teh stroke of half time SamL crossed a pearler into mark which hit the upright and noone was able to get onto the rebound.

A quick pep talk and they hit the field with the gale force wind which was mainly cross field slighly in their favour. I was really hopeful they’d get in front. Dean moved his video post down towards the goal and filmed from behind as all the pay was down that end of the field. They didn’t have many chances at all with Braeden only getting a few touches. The back five of Dean, TK, Thomas, Jasmin and jacob keeping them out. Jas backed up after nearly a week off school to play. 

At times there was some excellent pasing play across the midfield with Matty D and Wilson seeing most of the ball, and getting through the bulk of the work. Reuben held his position very well and showed his usual nice touch.

The front three of SamM, Saml and Mark were made to work very hard in thick traffic. All were marked well by the opposition. Need to keep the off-the-ball movement going to create the space to create holes in the defence. Again in the second half there were quite a few good chances, but none hit home.

SamL was taken down outside the box and TK took the free kick. It was in for all money going over the keeper when it dipped as it was going into teh wind and the keeper got his hands to it and no one could get to the deflection.

Extra time was much the same as the second half, and there’s no point in talking about the penalties, except to say that Braeden kept us in the game with some fine saves.

At the end of the day football can be a frustrating game. If the ball doesn’t go in, you don’t get the points.

I am confident they can turn things around and come back. They have worked hard all year and do deserve better. We had a good, fun, session tonight and will work hard again on Friday night on teh technical stuff. Creating space in heavy traffic and moving the ball out of defence quickly.

Garry

Major Semi-Final (Kiama)

Friday 20 August

Albion Park 1 v 1 Russell Vale (AET) “WON 5-4 PENS”

 

Not a match for the faint hearted or connoisseurs and lovers of the beautiful game. To prevent Russell Vale from getting into their passing rhythm Albion Park’s game plan was to use a combination of long balls and over zealous tackling. The Cobras were made to battle every inch of the way and full credit to the lads they never gave up even when they went 1-0 down after only 10 mins. Once again our nemesis No.9 had a hand in it but the response from Russell Vale was instant. Within a minute of the restart Chris Behan found Shae Morgan down the right hand side of the pitch, he cut inside and launched a “Hail Mary” effort that left their keeper flatfooted as he stood and watched it go in off the far post 1-1.  Back came Albion Park but fortunately with the goal at his mercy their striker headed over the bar. In the final 10mins of the half the Cobras had probably their best spell and started to assert their authority on the game.  The pressure almost paid off as first Matt Nelson then Dylan Andrews both went very close to scoring from the edge of the box.

The second half began much the same as the first with Albion Park in the ascendancy and their physical approach remained the same. At some stage of the game several players had to leave the pitch through injury Hayden Brown, Jean Paul, Shae Morgan, Nathan Hennessy, Dylan Andrews and Jordan Woods sadly the latter never made it back on again. Despite this the referee only booked one Albion Park player all game but still the Cobras never gave up. Joel Dalmonte had a legend of a game at the back and he was ably supported by Kurtis Trindall, Jawad Khan, Coen Mackay and Joey Hodges in defence. However with the clock running down it was left to Gareth Garnon to make an excellent save and send the game into extra time.

Players became tired, limbs began to hurt and although the game went from one end to the other chances were limited. The teams were like two prize fighters that had finally punched themselves to a standstill. Before the inevitable penalty shoot out there was still time for one last cruel twist of fate as Shae Morgan and Matt Nelson combined to have a goal ruled out for offside.

• First up was Hayden Brown and he dispatched his penalty with a lot of venom to make up for all the rough treatment he had received during the game 1-0 to Russell Vale.
• Their No.9 steps up 1-1.
• Chris Behan rifles his shot into the roof of the net 2-1.
• Their player blasts his shot over the bar. Still 2-1, advantage Russell Vale.
• Matt Nelson’s shot is well saved, score remains 2-1.
• Albion Park score now it’s 2-2, all square.
• Kurtis Trindall hit a rocket of a shot but it just missed the top upright. Still 2-2 and advantage with Albion Park.
• Albion Park score and now lead 2-3.
• Joel Dalmonte steps up and coolly makes it 3-3 but the advantage is still with Albion Park with one penalty to go.
• Their keeper who normally plays up front takes the kick and Gareth Garnon wins the battle of the keepers by deflecting it over the bar. So after five penalties each the score is locked at 3-3 and now it’s sudden death.
• First up is Shae Morgan another player that came in for a lot of abuse during the game “Goal” 4-3 to Russell Vale.
• Albion Park score 4-4.
• Nathan Armstrong who after having an outstanding game in midfield remains the calmest player on the pitch and makes it 5-4.
• Gareth Garnon holds his nerve but the Albion Park player didn’t and the ball sails over the bar, 5-4 game over!

 

All the players run and celebrate by jumping on Gareth Garnon. All you can see is a huge pile of green bodies in the middle of the pitch.

“RUSSELL VALE ARE GOING TO THE GRAND FINAL!”

Regards,

Shaun Hamlet,

Russell Vale Vs Unanderra

Today we played the major semi final against premiers Unanderra on a beautiful sunny day at Beaton Park.  The girls turned up quite nervous and there was lots of nervous energy floating around.  After a sit down with the girls and an understanding of the games proceedings they all became very settled.  I told them today was just another game and they didn’t let me down.  We started strong and within a few minutes Samantha had a great chance but a great save from the Unanderra goalkeeper kept it nil all.  As we continued to attack we grew with confidence and a strong attack was finished off with a fine shot by Samantha which sailed well over the keepers head to make it one nil.  It is amazing what an early goal can do for all the parents’ nerves.  As the half went on Unanderra  started to build momentum a couple of great stops by goalkeeper Tara kept it one nil till five minutes before half time when Unanderra had a runaway and a great strike by their forward made it One all.  There were a close couple of calls by both teams but the score remained at one all.  The goal that Unanderra scored had me worried as it had been a long time since we had a goal scored against us. But this team of girls who today played like champions proved me wrong.

The second half started and within one minute we scored a shot by Jasmine made the score two one.  It was a tough game Unanderra wanted that goal but a strong goal kick by Eden sent Jasmine on her way with a 75m run up the sideline and a great finish by Jasmine made it three one.  I would rate that goal as goal of the season.  We dug in deep and every player ran hard and made every tackle count and most of all kept Unanderra out from scoring.  

Today every player played their best game and we played like a team.  Well done girls you all did yourself proud and played today in a spirit that showed that you all a great future as young soccer players.  We have a well deserved rest next weekend all I can say is bring on the Grand Final you deserve to be there. CONGRATULATIONS.

Cheers

Martin