It’s been a few weeks since I’ve put pen to paper (figuratively, of course) to give a match report for the U13.1s, and for pretty good reason. There hasn’t been a lot of good stuff to talk about since the video montage of the game V Albion Park. If things went to plan that was suppose to be the launch pad for an assault on the semi’s.

But then we were hit with a couple of set-backs. Jack broke his collar bone playing Football at School and Jai copped a kick to the head playing Futsal for his school. This has ruled Jack out for the season and Jai missed two games as a precaution for concussion.

We were due to play two teams below us on the table, Bally White and Highlands and we had expected to pick up the points and retain 4^th spot, if not challenge for 3^rd or even 2^nd if other results went our way. Unfortunately we struggled without the boys and managed a draw v Bally White and a 1-0 loss up in the highlands.

Fortunately for us the quirk with our comp is that as there are 11 teams in the division and a 6 team final series. This gave us a shot at the Semi Final, coming in fifth, against second placed Bally Black. The boys had shown right throughout the year that they were very competitive and didn’t fear playing anyone. Even with a draw against the second Bally Team they would always be in shot against the first Bally side. We had a good record against them, a draw in the first round and a convincing win in the second.

Jai was back after his two week sabbatical and the boys were up for a big game. It didn’t all go to plan, though. The nerves must have got the better of them and they were pretty rusty in the first 30 minutes. The passes just weren’t sticking and they struggled to get out of their half, even with the assistance of a fairly strong wind. After a quick half time recalibration the boys launched themselves into the second half. As was the case against Dapto the boys passing game was actually more suited to playing into the wind, even with the ball being belted back over the heads in the second half.

Regulation time finished 0-0, as did a pulsating 20 min extra time.

We kept the 4-3-3 structure right through the game, resisting the temptation to drop back in defence, or go all-out attack. Jacob, Lochlan, TK, and SamL held the strong back line. Ruben camped in front of them as the holding midfielder, leaving Matty D, Jai, and Mark to battle to create opportunities in midfield. Wilson, SamM, Dean and Ryan played up front. SamM was away on a couple of occasions, only to be called back for offside (once VERY unlucky). Wilson let loose a bomb from the right but the ball caught up in the wind and drifted wide. Ryan had the best chance of the game and was unlucky with an awkward bounce. Bally had a couple of good chances and put the ball in the back of the net, only to be called offside PHEW!

The team doesn’t have a good record in penalty shoot outs. Losing every one they have played in. 10.3 Major Semi, 10.3 Grand Final, U11.2 Major Semi. The scars still run deep.

Our penalty takers, Ruben, Jacob, Wilson & SamL all slotted their chances and Braeden made two great saves to give the boys their win (4-3) and a chance to play off in the final next weekend. We’ll be playing Shellharbour who beat Albion Park. The game was played in a great spirit  and fortunately Bally will get another chance against Figtree next weekend and we wish them well. No one deserves to go out of a competition on Penalties.

So, well done boys, the Grand Final is certainly within reach and is there for the taking. It all starts this week with application at training.

TAKE CARE. NO MORE INJURIES!

This was 1st place v 6th place but it still took Russell Vale 15 mins to assert their authority on the game. Dapto’s tactics of hoof and chase put the Cobras under a lot of pressure in the opening stages but other than a couple of crosses Ethan Johnson never had a shot to save. At the other end there were some near misses from Jordan Errington, Hayley Waller and Ethan Larnach all going close plus a thunderous effort from Tom Curran that was pushed onto the bar by the keeper. Then just before HT the team went to sleep on a free kick and Dapto scored from their only shot of the game.

The second half continued with all the action in the Dapto half of the field. Almost from the restart Russell Vale nearly equalised, we had more players in the Dapto 6 yard box than they did but still the ball wouldn’t go in. Strangely enough the scenario was repeated in the last seconds of the game and once again we failed to convert.

Even though Russell Vale have swept all before them in the League this season, averaging 5 goals per game, it just goes to show how a cup match is a completely different ball game. You can’t blame Dapto for their tactics in the second half by kicking the ball as far out of play as possible or taking their time on goal kicks. It was designed to disrupt our normal fluent passing game and fair play to them it worked. It caused frustration to creep into our game, we wasted a free kick, numerous corners and were even caught offside on several occasions. Our profligacy in front of goal cost us big time.

However it’s not all doom and gloom, on the plus side this result indirectly knocks out Oak Flats who had finished runners up in the league plus Tarrawanna who were third. As we ended up the highest place loser in the Semi we now get another chance to put things right against 4th placed Kiama for a chance in the Grand Final, while 5th & 6th place Unanderra v Dapto battle it out for the other Grand Final spot. It’s strange to think that the teams who finished 4th,5th & 6th beat the top three teams but that’s cup football for you, current form counts for nothing.

It was nice to see the players get their reward after the game for not only finishing as League Champions but for playing a very entertaining style of football. I’m sure they will win more trophies during their Junior careers but you never forget your first. I hope they cherish those medals and realise in life you can achieve anything through hard work and team effort. I would never take the Kiama game lightly but if there is any justice in this world it would be nice if the Cobras went on to meet Dapto in the Grand Final.

YNWA

Coach

This is the Final Match Report for 2012 (Russell Vale Under 15s Girls)

I would like to thank you all for a wonderful year of soccer. I cannot believe the season is over, it has gone by so quickly.

Firstly I want to congratulate you all on an excellent game on Sunday morning, you all tried so hard throughout the game but unfortunately we could not hold off the number one team in the comp. It was good to watch, the final score did not reflect the hard work that was put into the game. You girls should be so proud, Dapto finished 1st on the ladder for the year. Their coach came up and was praising you girl on a great game, we gave them a big scare.

 

Continue reading “Rd 18 U15Gs” →

Before the game Russell Vale had already won the League title and secured top spot in the play offs, so I told the players not to worry about the result, just go out play your football and enjoy it.

 

By HT they were 4-0 up and the game was already over as a contest. Little Riley Hanlon opened the scoring, followed by a couple of goals from Blair Dunn one of which was a header after a great cross from Hayley Waller. It wasn’t just about goal scorers, Ethan “Speedy” Lanarch had his best game of the season chasing and hassling Balgownie all night and every time he won the ball he found a teammate. Then just on HT Bailey Baade Mortimer set up Tom Curran who from the edge of the box saw his shot fly into the top corner to round off an excellent performance.

 

The second half continued pretty much as the first half ended with Russell Vale creating all the chances. In fact I don’t think our goalie Ethan Johnson even touched the ball during the game, such was the Cobras dominance. Top goal scorer Jordan Errington went close several times including one shot that nearly broke the bar. It wasn’t long after before Blair Dunn notched up his third hat-trick of the season with his 19^th goal. Midfielder Harrison Benn then got on the score sheet with a trademark goal, his 14^th of the campaign to make it 6-0. With the clock running down Christian Baade Mortimer twice went close with only the keeper to beat before his brother Bailey showed him how to do it properly with the final goal of the evening.

 

At the final whistle the Cobras showed respect to Balgownie before they broke into song and finally left the pitch to a guard of honour courtesy of the U11B team. It was a very nice way to finish the season and especially for me to finish my last home game as a Russell Vale Coach.

 

“Everywhere we go…….

 

YNWA

Coach

 

RVJFC Under 6 Yellow action from round 15

During Round 15 Russell Vale Yellow U6 turned up to the mighty Cawley Park to play like they were ready to play in the Olympics.  Only issue was the opposition did not turn up.  So the mums turned around and put the Under 6 team to the challenge.  The game was played in usually good spirits besides a few near misses of mums kicking the ball over the kid’s heads.  Below is a picture of the day.

Thank You to Russell Vale Yellow Under 6 team for and supporting families for a Fantastic Year.