Month: August 2014

RVJFC 2014 Mini Roo Presentation

  Hi Coached and Managers,
Hope you all have had a fantastic season. Thanks for taking on the responsibility for coaching or managing a team.
To celebrate season 2014 we are holding our U6 to U9 Mini Roo Presentation Day at WBRSL from 1030 to 1230 on Sat Aug 30, while you still are all in the rhythm of football. Could you please inform your parents in your teams of this date, time and location, and encourage them to invite family and friends to celebrate season 2014 with the children. Each player will be asked to sit with their team, coach and manager at a team table, and will be asked team by team to come on stage, receive a trophy and be applauded as a team. Lollies and soft drink will be provided for players on their team tables.
Feel free to hang around at the end and socialise as a group or family either in the bistro or club facilities.
See you all there!
Stephen Smart
Secretary RVJFC

 

Rd 18 U13.3 v Bulli

I’ve watched every type of football match there is over the last half century but this had to be by far the most amusing, or maybe it was just the medication?

Putting the defeat last week into perspective, it was a one off, these things happen in football. So this evening for the first time in 12 years of coaching I bowed to player pressure and for the last game of the regular season reversed the positions, (ie. striker in goal, midfield in defence and defenders up front). There was no disrespect intended to Bulli as I still wanted the Cobras to perform at a high level although I’m not sure if they actually achieved that but it was certainly funny at times.

Right from the first whistle the pressure from the home side was relentless and it only took 6mins to score the opening goal. Tigger, whom was supposed to be playing centre half broke with the ball and provided a perfect cross for Blue to hit on the half volley from 18 yards out, his shot looped into the top corner, 1-0. Soon after Tom Thumb put a dangerous ball across the goal mouth for Speedy but unfortunately his shot shuddered the bar and was cleared away to safety. It was about now that Russell Vale had 4 or 5 consecutive corners but incredibly failed to get on the end of any of them. Then Jaws got in on the action when a great ball from Red put him through one on one with the keeper but he pulled his shot wide, a typical defenders shot. Telstra then set Blue up with an opportunity to score his second but this time his effort went just over.

Bulli eventually threatened Russell Vale’s goal and Jibber Jabber pulled off the simplest of saves but somehow contrived to make it look world class. Then I saw something I thought I would never see, in the space of two minutes both Neymar & Jaws each managed a shot on target, wonders will never cease!  A good tackle by Goldilocks on the halfway line set the Cobras up for number two, his forward pass found Neymar and once he and Jaws had finished getting in eachothers way on the edge of the box, Zippy (who should have been playing in defence) nipped in to steal the ball and score right on the stroke of halftime, 2-0.

During the break we switched keepers and the Wizard went between the sticks.

Right from the restart Goldilocks put Tigger away and his cross found Tom Thumb in a good position in front of goal but his first time effort went straight at the keeper. Bulli were not out of it yet and broke quickly on the counter attack but the Wizard pulled off a dramatic dive to intercept the cross. When Fonzie (always cool under pressure) calmly side stepped two Bulli players in his own half his subsequent pass found Jaws who in turn passed to Zippy but his shot hit the bar and the follow up by Tigger went wide.

Determined to score, Neymar let rip from the edge of the box but only managed to hit a Bulli defender in the side of the head knocking him clean off his feet and from the rebound Tom Thumb tried one of his “training trademark” scissor kicks but unfortunately for him it skimmed the outside of the post. From one of Neymar’s corners the ball was cleared to Telstra about 25 yards from goal and his powerful shot whistled over the bar but whether he was passing, crossing or meant to have a shot I guess we will never know?

The third goal eventually came after a combination of passes between Fonzie, Red and Telstra. The ball found Zippy, he ghosted past two players only to see his shot deflected but it did however fall kindly for Tom Thumb and he duly obliged by scoring in off the post, 3-0. Then came the moment that will live long in the memory, Jaws scoring his “first goal” for the Club and that includes training too!

It came about when a Bulli defender gave away a penalty for a clear handball, the sending off that ensued was a bit harsh though. I nearly sent on Peg Leg to take it and then remembered I had promised the first penalty to Jaws. Unperturbed by the pressure he stepped up and scored via the post, 4-0. Chances are Jaws was aiming for the other side of the goal but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. It was nice to see he was still smiling when I substituted him near the end of the game.

With the extra player advantage the Cobras were now running wild with Tigger, Jibber Jabber and Zippy all going close to scoring. There was just one last attempt from Bulli but Neymar intercepted the ball and passed back to the Wizard in goal. The whole ground nervously held their breath waiting to see if he would illegally pick it up but were all relieved when he chose to pass the ball out wide to Goldilocks instead. Speaking of goalies, I think Telstra momentarily forgot he was on the pitch today when he was pulled up for handball. Soon after he made amends when Blue slipped him the ball and he provided Jaws with an opportunity but instead of putting the ball in the net he found the creek instead (nice to see there’s no sibling rivalry there).  Before being substituted Jaws had one last chance to score when Jibber Jabber crossed into the box but unfortunately for Jaws he even missed the ball………the penalty had obviously gone to his head so it was time for the bench. Speedy was the next to go close to scoring, several times in fact but every time he had a clear chance he shot straight at the keeper, defenders eh?

Jibber Jabber scored the best and final goal of the game, picking up the ball wide and running at the Bulli defence he let rip from the corner of the box and the ball flew into the net, 5-0. Soon after we won a free kick in roughly the same spot, so the Wizard made a 100M dash to take it. His shot come cross caused havoc in Bulli’s area, it was the craziest goal mouth scramble I have ever seen. Tigger, Red, Speedy, Neymar, Zippy and Jibber Jabber all had goal attempts blocked or saved. Even one of Bulli’s defenders got in on the act, out of shear panic she shot straight at her own keeper but still the ball wouldn’t go in. At times like that I wish I could have played Peg Leg, he might only have one good leg but I’m sure he would have scored.

Throughout the whole game the lads were vocally cheered on by Meg who was desperate to get in on the action. Whereas Rosie took a more analytical and tactical view of the game, her eyes never left the ball once.

The players have had their fun, now it’s time to focus again. Training Monday and Wednesday because the business end of the season starts next weekend with the Major Semi Final.

Name Guide:

Telstra = Sean Donnelly

Speedy = Ethan Larnach

Jaws = Jack Donnelly

Neymar = Baxter Bowler Prentice

Tom Thumb = Tom Curren

Red = Bailey Baide Mortimer

Tigger = Tommy Heaton

Blue = Christian Baide Mortimer

Jibber Jabber = Jody Errington

Fonzie = Jarod Tuckwood

Wizard = Blair Dunn

Zippy = Zach Winter

Goldilocks = Riley Hanlon

Peg Leg = Louis Ready

Meg = Meg

Rosie = Rosie 

YNWA

Coach

 

Rd 17 U13.3 v Wollongong

At training I can teach the players how to pass/move, head, shoot, tackle, communicate and work as a team. I also make sure they are always well prepared for every opponent we meet in regards to things to be aware of, players to watch, positions for corners and free kicks etc.………………but come game day I can’t force them to apply what they’ve learnt.

The way games have gone in recent weeks this loss to second placed team Wollongong was probably not that big a surprise. Even though we kicked the game off the home side still managed to win a corner and score (albeit an OG) all in the first minute of the game. A few minutes later their star player was left unmarked on the edge of our box and made it 2-0, all this happened before we had even got out of our own half. In the next 25mins the only worthwhile effort from the Cobras was a Jody Errington shot that was wide of the target. For the rest of the time it was all Wollongong, as one shot skimmed our bar and another brought a good save out of Sean Donnelly.

At the break I was very, very saddened and disappointed by the apathy displayed by every single player along with the inability to put two passes together or show any form of passion to compete. So I suggested something that in 12 years of coaching I’ve never said to one of my teams before. I gave the lads the option of conceding the game and we could all go home “or” start playing for pride in themselves, their team mates and their Club………….I’m pleased to say they chose the latter.

The second half started the way the first half should have done. The Cobras came out all guns firing Tommy Heaton and Tom Curren both went close before a cross from Bailey Baade Mortimer found the head of Zac Winter to pull the score back to 2-1. The pressure was relentless and soon after Zac Winter returned the compliment for Bailey Baade Mortimer to blast home the equaliser, 2-2. Then once again Zac Winter broke quickly with three teammates but even though they outnumbered the defenders, somehow we contrived to waste the numerical advantage. On a rare excursion into our half Wollongong were fortunate to win a free kick on the edge of the box. The shot flew over Sean Donnelly’s head and into the net, to restore the home sides lead, 3-2. Back we came again and Jordy Errington and Tommy Heaton were caught offside several times in their eagerness to restore parity, including a disallowed goal. Defensively in the second half we seemed to be finally in control with Baxter Bowler Prentice sweeping up the loose balls and Jack Donnelly winning tackles in the middle of the park and confidently breaking with the ball to set up the next attack. Another defender Tom Curran overlapped down the left hand side and after displaying a piece of individual brilliance set up Tommy Heaton with a clear route to goal but he was brought down from behind for a penalty. With our usual taker Blair Dunn off sick, Tommy Heaton took on the responsibility but the keeper guessed the correct way and smothered the kick at the second attempt. As the clock ticked down there was still time for more goalmouth drama. A good cross from Christian Baade Mortimer saw and on overhead kick from Jordan Errington well saved on the line, with a little bit more power I’m sure it would have found the net. Then with the very last attack of the game we were awarded a free kick, just few yards outside Wollongong’s area. With all the Russell Vale players pushed up Jarod Tuckwood’s kick clipped a defender and went for a corner but before it could be taken the referee brought the game to an end.

If we had to lose in a game I guess this was the one to do it in as it had nothing at stake, however unfortunately the result would have given Wollongong a tremendous confidence boost for when we meet them next in the Major Semi Final.

On the basis of Russell Vale’s second half performance, a place in the Grand Final at the first attempt is literally in their own hands. Player for player they are technically far better than their opponents, as a team they play a far superior level of football……………I guess it just comes down to how badly they want it?

YNWA

Coach

Rd 16 U8 Green v FSC Knights

The U8 Green Team had the honour of playing against the FSC Knights on Saturday at the Frat. But all accounts both teams really enjoyed the game. Football was certainly the winner on the day!

FSC Knights

Rd 16 U13.3 v Shellharbour – League Champions!

Sometimes one point is all you need and that’s exactly how it turned out today for the Russell Vale U13A’s to be crowned “League Champions”.

Like several other teams we’ve come up against in recent weeks our opponents did a Chelsea and parked the bus. Faced with six defenders, two holding midfielders and only two up front, the Cobras dominated possession and literally had a free run of 75% of the field but just couldn’t turn the advantage into a goal.

It never ceases to amaze me how many keepers end up “man of the match” when they play against Russell Vale, today was no exception. In the first half we had a series of half-hearted shots that failed to trouble the keeper and a number of crosses that went straight into his grateful arms. Despite all our “pass & move” football, clear chances in the box were few and far between. The nearest we came to a goal was a Blair Dunn free kick that the goalie somehow managed to get a hand to and with green shirts swarming towards the ball his defenders managed to scramble it to safety. Jarod Tuckwood did a good holding role today and couldn’t resist getting in on the action letting fly from 25 yards out but once again their keeper was up for it. Probably the clearest chance of the half fell to Bailey Baade Mortimer whom was still recovering from a sprained ankle when he found himself wide open at the back post, a moment’s hesitation and the chance was gone.

In the second half the home side continued to dominate the game while Shellharbour just sat on the edge of their 18 yard box, even when they had the ball. The nearest the visitors came to our goal was a back pass from Jack Donnelly to his brother Sean but that said our defence did a very good job today and rarely looked in any trouble. At the other end of the pitch there were efforts at goal from Zac Winter, Jordan Errington and Blair Dunn but we still couldn’t find the back of the net. For the last 20mins we only played with three at the back and pushed another player up front in the hope that the extra player in attack might be able to swing it our way. With only a few minutes remaining a Tommy Heaton shot on the half volley from only 10 yards out looked destined for the back of the net. Somehow their keeper who just happened to be the smallest kid on the pitch flung himself from one side of the goal to the other to parry the ball away for a corner.

At the final whistle you have to laugh at the irony as the visitors celebrated the draw while our lads trudged miserably off the pitch……….as Champions!

I think everyone felt the draw took some of the gloss off the result but I’m still very pleased for the players and proud of each of them that they won the title with two games left to play. I was at Anfield back in 1988 when my beloved LIVERPOOL drew 1-1 with Saints to win the league. I remember feeling down because I wanted to see them finish of the season in style with a win but as the players ran round the pitch after the game holding the trophy aloft my Dad said the cup is about one game lad but the league title is about the whole season. With those words of wisdom in mind Russell Vale have played some very entertaining football this season and are deservedly “League Champions!”

YNWA

Coach