Both teams were coming off the back of wins in round one, plus it was the first return to their previous club for Jarod Tuckwood and Zac Winter.

Right from the start Russell Vale made all the running. Blair Dunn, Jordan Errington, Riley Hanlon and Tommy Heaton all went close to getting on the score sheet but Bulli continued to battle for everything. The home side finally succumbed to the pressure when Jordan Errington notched up his third goal of the season. Zac Winter made it 2-0 soon after coming off the bench and out of respect for his former club did the right thing by declining to celebrate. Despite a couple of corners the nearest Bulli came to scoring was when Jack Donnelly from 20 yards out brought a save from his twin Sean who managed to deflect the back pass onto the post and out for a corner. Although the first half performance was rather scrappy the Cobras still held the lead at HT 0-2.

After a little pep talk from the Coach at HT the Cobras came out determined to finish the job off. Again there were chances going begging in front of goal until Tommy Heaton fired in his third of the season and number three for Russell Vale. Soon after Tommy Heaton was involved again when he was brought down for a penalty. If he had been on his hat-trick then I would have let him have the pen but to try and share the goals around the team I told the goalie Sean Donnelly to have a go. If his kick had been a foot lower it would have flew into the top corner, maybe Jack’s turn next time?

Probably the best move of the game and the fourth goal started deep in our own half. Ethan Larnach won the ball, Jack Donnelly switched the play to the right hand side then Tom Curran and Christian Baade Mortimer traded passes before Tommy Heaton applied the “coup de gras”.

Looking back on the game there were too many wasted corners, some half-hearted tackling and the passing needs be a lot crisper but some hard work at training, another three or four games and I’m sure they will be fine. Also from a coaching perspective it’s very pleasing to note there appears to be a very good spirit within the squad, the new lads have settled quickly and have already made their mark. We have a large squad, so firstly all the players have to understand the system we play and what each position entails. Then be flexible in learning to play various roles so everyone gets a game while maintaining the integrity of the team.

Please note photo session Saturday midday at Cawley Park, forms will be handed out at training on Monday.

Two games, two wins, not a bad start and a double header weekend to look forward to next week.

YNWA

Coach

With the rain subsiding we finally managed to play our first long awaited game of the season.

Although several players were slow arriving to the ground, there was nothing wrong with the way the team began on the pitch because with only 3mins on the clock the Cobras were already 2-0 up. First Tommy Heaton left a couple of Fernhill defenders in his wake as he fired home into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out, not a bad way to mark your debut. Another debutant Zac Winter sent a shot just wide of the post before Riley Hanlon & Blair Dunn linked up to lay on the second goal for Tommy Heaton.

With Fernhill still reeling Russell Vale continued to apply the pressure. From a corner a goal mouth scramble ensued, Riley Hanlon saw his shot saved but quick thinking from Blair Dunn saw his deft chip back into the danger zone headed home by Riley Hanlon, 3-0. By the time another debutant Jarod Tuckwood blasted the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-0 to the Cobras the game was virtually over as a contest.

Time for a substitution and within 5mins of Jordan Errington and Louis Ready coming off the bench both had added to the scoreline. Due to illness Louis Ready’s debut didn’t last long but with virtually his first touch of the ball he did manage to lob the on rushing goalie, 5-0. Bailey & Christian Baade Mortimer were carving them up time after time down the right wing and one such assault led to a Baxter Bowler Prentice corner which caused havoc in the area and Jordan Errington was on hand to stab the ball home. 6-0 at the half.

No disrespect to Fernhil but the game was won by HT, so it allowed me the opportunity to experiment and try a few players in different positions. The second half began the same way as the first half, the traffic was all one way as Russell Vale continued to create chance after chance, however the Fernhill goal suddenly began to lead a charmed life. Add to that the heroics from the Fernhill goalie (who deserved to be man of the match) combined to thwart everything that Russell Vale threw at them including a fierce shot from Sean Donnelly, now free from his goalkeeping duties. After constant pressure Fernhill’s suddenly new found luck finally ran out. A fortuitous moment between the goalie, the woodwork and Jordan Errington’s head resulted with the ball in the back of the net and the final score 7-0 to Russell Vale.

From a coaching perspective it was good result and pleasing to see the new lads settle in quickly but it will still take at least half a dozen games for the team to perform at the level I expect. I noticed there were too many instances of ball watching and at times a lack of tactical discipline, so it’s back to the training ground to get it right……..there’s a long season ahead.

YNWA

Coach

 

Rnd 16

Russell Vale 0 v 0 Helensburgh

Always a good atmosphere at Friday night games and the match didn’t disappoint either. This evening the U12A Cobras came off age and proved they can cut it with the best in Division II. Up against top of the league Helensburgh, Russell Vale took to the field with only ten players but seconds before the kick-off we were joined by Sean Donnelly from the U12B side. Although the Australian football curriculum dictates a 4-3-3 formation I decided to go with 4-4-2 in respect to our opponents.

It’s funny how after a lifetime in football you tend to remember the Grand Final victories, the games where you came from behind three times to win 5-3 or the 10-0 drubbings you dished out. Very few people will ever recall a 0-0 draw but I think everyone present at Cawley Park will remember this one. It was played at an electrifying pace with good football from both sides. Helensburgh had the better of the first half and could have been leading at half time had it not been for the post and clearances off the line from Tom Curran and Sean Donnelly, the latter in most acrobatic style. Tom Curran also had to contend with marking the fastest winger in the league and although he was severely tested at the start of the game, as the match wore on he had him comfortably in his pocket.

In the second half Helensburgh still created chances and Brody Armour’s goal led a charmed life at times but Russell Vale battled hard and created a flurry of chances of their own. Baxter Bowler Prentice, Blair Dunn, Harrison Benn, Christian Baade Mortimer and Jordan Errington all went close to scoring that elusive first goal.

Overall it was a fair result and the point won this evening will probably be enough to keep us in Division II. It still depends on other results but regardless of where we finish there’s no question that tonight’s performance was a tremendous “TEAM” effort. It was the first time Brody Armour and Russell Vale had kept a clean sheet all season. Defensively Tom Curran and Sean Donnelly were superb and the centre backs Jack Donnelly and Clayton Walker both had a solid game. In midfield Harrison Benn displayed his full repertoire of passing and Baxter Bowler Prentice literally owned midfield with his lunging tackles and lung bursting runs. Either side of them we had Christian Baade Mortimer terrorising them down the right flank and Blair Dunn causing problems down the other wing. Up front Riley Hanlon and Jordan Errington ran all night and when attacks broke down they were quick to act as our first line of defence and put pressure on the best defence in the league…….it’s nights like these that makes Coaching a real pleasure.

In my opinion besides Russell Vale, Helensburgh are the only other footballing side in Division II and I sincerely hope they go onto win the League.

YNWA

Coach

p.s. Please note next Saturday (away) to Lakeside 8:30am K/O. It’s a bugger of a job to find their ground so allow plenty of time.

Our heaviest defeat of the season to last year’s Division I side Coniston but we weren’t as bad as the final score would suggest. To put it into perspective the win for Coniston moves them up to second in the table and we only had the bear 11 players, two of whom are registered as Division IV, plus our first choice keeper Ethan Johnson is still out injured.

There were some good individual performances from the twins, Bailey & Christian Baade Mortimer but unfortunately some basic team errors early in the game cost us the match. We found it difficult to cope with the speed of Coniston’s forwards and their route one football caused us all sorts of problems so by HT Russell Vale were 2-0 down. However it could have been worse both Ethan Lanarch and Harrison Benn managed to clear shots off the line.

Although our level of football improved in the second half, the speed of Coniston on the counter attack continued to catch us out despite the acrobatics of Brody Armour in goal. We almost added a bit of respectability to the final score line albeit from a Harrison Benn corner and free kick but unfortunately the decisive touch in front of goal was missing both times. After the game the Coniston coaching staff once again praised Russell Vale for their pass & move style of football and added we were by far the most enjoyable footballing side to watch in Division II.

As Coach I take full responsibility for the poor results this season. Due to coaching courses, hospital etc…. I have had to cancel about half the training sessions and this had had a detrimental effect on the players causing the inconsistencies that we see on game day. The U12A side are all good players and I think the experience of the past few seasons will help them to understand the passion, joy and heartache that only football can generate.

The kids that watched TV and those that were lucky enough to be present at the MCG last week when 96,500 Liverpool fans sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” will hopefully understand the underlying message that you never give up and as long as you stay together and try your best things will get better.

YNWA

Coach

The result was irrelevant, the performance was poor but it was a sad game for more than those reasons. It was to be Hayley Waller’s last match in a Cobras shirt before she departs for Vietnam with her family. Miss Messi has been a great ambassador for both the club and her family and behalf of everyone I wish her well.

 

As with the previous Figtree game Russell Vale sat back in the opening minutes and allowed Oak Flats territorial advantage before taking an early lead against the run of play. Despite all the pressure Oak Flats failed to capitalise in those early moments and from our first attack of the evening we won a corner. Harrison Benn’s cross was met superbly on the volley by Ryan Hanlon and flew into the net 1-0.

 

Oak Flats response was instant and several times Brody Armour was called into action.  As the half wore on the rain came and made the conditions slippery. Although we created little in the way of chances Russell Vale still led 1-0 at the interval.

 

The style of football of the two teams couldn’t be any more different but surprisingly the only time either side looked dangerous was from corners. Oak Flats thought they had scored when a deflected shot from a corner landed on the roof of the net. It should have been a huge wakeup call for Russell Vale because from their next corner we froze again allowing their defender another free header but this time it went in off the off underside of the bar 1-1.

 

Russell Vale nearly regained the lead twice, both times ironically from a corner. Another Harrison Benn kick caused havoc in the 6 yard box and in the resulting medley Blair Dunn pulled his shot wide of the left hand post. Soon after from another corner Oak Flats thought they had cleared the danger but the ball dropped invitingly for Jack Donnelly on the edge of the box and his first time effort whistled past the right hand post.

 

Just like the first game away to Oak Flats, Russell Vale faded badly towards the end of the match and both times it cost them a goal. The visitors finished the strongest and scored a deserved winner when an uncharacteristic mistake in defence gifted them the opportunity. There was no coming back for the Cobras and the Oak Flats celebrations at the end were reminiscent of a Grand Final scene.

 

As I said at the start of this write up the result didn’t matter it was all about our honourary captain for the evening No.7 “Hayley Waller”.  She led us to League & Grand Final wins last season and the following is a little song based on Liverpool’s “Fields of Anfield Rd” that the players dedicated to her in the changing room after the game.

 

All round the fields of Cawley Park,

Where once we watched Miss Messi play,

“AND COULD SHE PLAY”

From midfield and the wing she game us dreams and songs to sing,

Of the glory round the fields of Cawley Park.  

 

YNWA

Coach

 

Two games in two days but after the Albion Park confidence booster I’m not complaining. Figtree have to be by far the tallest team we have ever played, couple the height advantage with their extra speed it was always going to be a very tough game and that’s exactly how it turned out. The visitors are serious contenders for the Division II title but I can’t say I’m in awe of their style of football. It’s very direct, hoof over the top and let the fast kids chase after it. As such it was going to take a very disciplined performance from the Cobras to get anything out of this game and that’s exactly what we got.

As expected Figtree made all the early running but despite the pressure the defence held firm. Six minutes prior to HT Russell Vale produced their first dangerous attack which resulted in a corner. From a Baxter Bowler Prentice kick, Bailey Baade Mortimer rose majestically at the near post to head the ball into the net, 1-0.  Desperate to get back on level terms their tall players continued to cause us all sorts of problems especially the No.9 and Brody Armour had to be at his best to stop two difficult shots. At HT the Cobras still led 1-0……..but only just.

 

Whether it was due to the break and trying to find somewhere to have a half time chat we lost our concentration. In the first minute after the restart another hoof up to the halfway line left two Vale defenders ball watching as the ball bisected them and the Figtree striker ran on to fire the equaliser.

 

Earlier in the season we might have let our heads drop but not today. Russell Vale continued to work hard to stay in the game as Figtree became more frustrated and more physical in an attempt to win and keep up their title challenge. To their credit Russell Vale refused to be intimidated despite being on  the end of some very late tackles that really deserved a booking. The couple of times Figtree did manage to get a shot in the safe hands of Brody Armour came to the rescue.  As the game wore on it became a little bit ragged as Figtree run out of ideas and the Cobras passing game was reduced to a  “get the ball the hell out of here” approach. Then for the second game running Russell Vale had a chance to steal all three points at the death, when Hayley Waller broke free with the ball. However with half the pitch still to cover the long legged defenders managed to catch her up on the edge of the box before she could get a shot in. Full time 1-1.

 

Figtree will probably feel robbed that they didn’t win today. Yes, they created far more pressure than we could muster but a solid team performance from Russell Vale won us a deserved point. Our number of goal scoring chances were few and far between but Blair Dunn and Jordan Errington ran their socks off up front.  Moving Baxter Bowler Prentice into centre midfield alongside Harrison Benn also paid dividends in breaking up Figtree’s attacks. Defensively Jack Donnelly, Tom Curran, Clayton Walker and Ethan Larnach did really well to restrict the number of Figtree chances.

 

At times our lead up football was good but we failed to make any real impact in the final third. A little more work needs to be done on ball control and holding the ball up long enough to bring other players into the game.  This weekend we had to play two different types of game but still produced two good performances and if the players continue to concentrate, emulate this form over the remaining matches.

 

TRAINING: Please note Monday 5:00pm – 6:30pm, still not sure about Wednesday because I have to go back into hospital.

 

YNWA

Coach

No training and no games for the past couple of weeks and away to the top team in Rnd 12, could it get any harder? Yep we had a less than half fit coach as well.

Albion Park started brightly and even hit the bar in the first couple of minutes then squandered a couple of good chances with wayward shooting. Slowly but gradually Russell Vale clawed their way back into the game and it all began with a brave run from Tom Curran who despite being kicked, pushed and pulled kept going but fell short with only the keeper to beat. Soon after Riley Hanlon almost opened the scoring after good work from Hayley Waller and Ethan Larnach set him up with a chance that seemed harder to miss than score. With the match still goalless Harrison Benn almost scored from a free kick when the lively Ethan Larnach was felled on the edge of the box but unfortunately the resulting kick sailed over the bar.

In the second half Jack Donnelly broke out of defence with the ball, kept going and was only stopped when fouled 20 yards out. Up stepped Harrison Benn in an almost identical position to the previous free kick but unfortunately this one skimmed the outside of the post. Ten minutes into the half Albion Park took the lead when their huge striker forced his way into the box to hammer the ball into the back of the net. To their credit the Cobras didn’t let it phase them, first Blair Dunn forced their keeper into action and then Harrison Benn won the ball just outside the box and drilled the ball into the corner of the net, 1-1.  With less than 5mins to go Russell Vale took a deserved lead from a Harrison Benn corner that sailed into the top corner, 1-2.

Albion Park then pushed everyone forward in search of an equaliser and as a result of that pressure an errant Cobras pass across goal was picked off and dispatched into the net, 2-2. Sensing a winner Albion Park kept up their assault on the Russell Vale goal and a frantic scramble inside the six yard box looked as if they were certain to find a winner but out of the ruck of players walked Brody Armour with the ball safely in his hands. Russell Vale broke quickly and while the ref looked at his watch and prepared to blow for full-time Jordan Errington unselfishly set up Christian Baade Mortimer who side stepped one player before tucking the ball into the corner of the net, 2-3 and game over!

Overall the passing was good and the players are finally becoming more competitive, as shown by some of the bone crunching tackles from Hayley Waller, Bailey Baade Mortimer, Calyton Walker and Baxter Bowler Prentice. This was by far our best result of the season and proves that Russell Vale can compete with the top teams at this level.

YNWA

Coach

Russell Vale began the game well and their constant pressure in the first few minutes caused a Coledale defender to put the ball past his own keeper, 1-0 to the home side. The Cobras continued to have the lion’s share of possession but couldn’t create the clear opportunities their football deserved. During the last 10mins of the half Coledale had their best spell of the game. Firstly a poor pass was intercepted in our own 18 yard box and their striker made no mistake 1-1. Soon after from a corner Brody Armour pulled off a point blank save but with the away side swarming forward it was only a matter of time before they got their second. The defence were caught flat footed when their speedy striker latched onto a ball over the top and made it 1-2. Right on the very stroke of HT a misunderstanding in the box left their striker wide open in front of goal, 1-3.

Fired up the Cobras came out the second half and played the same flowing football they did at the start of the game but too often the play broke down in the final third without really testing the keeper. The best chance came when Russell Vale broke quickly and a series of one two’s between Hayley Waller and Jordan Errington resulted in their keeper producing a good save. With time running out the concentration level fell and once again we set up the other team to score and put the game out of reach 1-4. Then right at the death the referee gave a contentious decision when Brody Armour produced a fine save on the goal line but the ball was adjudged to have crossed over. Good case for goal line technology but either way it wouldn’t have made any difference to the final result.

Despite the 5-1 loss and the fact that we set up four of Coledale’s goals I wasn’t disappointed with the overall performance. I was really pleased to see the defence play the ball out well from the back. There were some great overlapping runs from Tom Curren and Baxter Bowler Prentice and one time even Jack Donnelly broke forward and found himself on the edge of Coledale’s 18 yard area. Ethan Larnach and Clayton Walker produced some crunching tackles and when Blair Dunn and Christian Baade Mortimer link up down the left wing there’s no stopping them.  Riley Hanlon and Baily Baade Mortimer put in some good crosses from the right but we just couldn’t find that decisive touch in the box.

The Coledale coaching staff were magnanimous in victory and praised our lads for the way they passed the ball around and were actually amazed to see a team pass it out from the back instead of just hoofing the ball up front.

The main difference between the sides today was Coledale had three big lads who knew where the back of the net was and their finishing was clinical. I still believe my little Cobras are playing the correct style of football and I understand it’s difficult for them to comprehend when you come up against teams with a few players that are bigger and faster than ours. The Cobras just have to keep faith that they are playing football the correct way and not lose heart .

YNWA

Coach

Winless all season, Bulli must have thought Christmas had come early when Russell Vale contrived to gift wrap all 5 goals. No disrespect to Bulli overall they deserved the win but sadly all five of their goals were set up by Russell Vale.

With only eleven players turning up on the day we were a little restricted with our team selection. Once again Brody Armour was between the sticks for the long term injured Ethan Johnson. He couldn’t be faulted for the goals, he tried his best and even managed a couple of good saves. The Cobras were a goal down leading up to HT when Blair Dunn knocked home the equaliser but once again our discipline let us down as Bulli went up the other end and made it 2-1 to the home side at the break. It had been end to end football besides their two goals Bulli had also hit the woodwork twice. Russell Vale’s reply was a corner and a free kick from Harrison Benn that both caused mayhem in the Bulli six yard box but despite a couple of frantic goal mouth scrambles the Cobras just couldn’t get the ball over the line.

When the second half restarted Bulli increased their lead to 3-1 before Blair Dunn drilled home his second of the match to give Russell Vale a chance of getting something from the game. Unfortunately goals 4 and 5 put paid to that slim hope and with no subs to call on the formation was changed to 3-3-4 with 5 mins to go to try and get a goal back but Bulli’s defence held firm.

This season it would appear we are consistently, inconsistent. Even in this game there were some flowing passing moves that led to Tom Curran, Riley Hanlon, Jordan Errington and Hayley Waller all going very close to scoring but alas not close enough. Although there were battling performances from Ethan Larnach and Baxter Bowler Prentice, much to my chagrin there were other times the team just stood and watched Bulli with the ball.

From my perspective the results are irrelevant, it’s all about performance and playing good football. There’s no easy solution to our erratic form this season, the players just have to concentrate and work hard at training. Like the first season when all the other teams were playing hoof ball we have to keep faith with our “pass & move” style of football………………….it’s going to be a long season!

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” (hopefully the players will take heart from the LIVERPOOL anthem)

Coach

Regards,

SHAUN HAMLET

As someone said after the game this was more like the Russell Vale of old. Once they scored the first goal there was only going to be one winner, despite a second half rally from Tarrawanna.

 

However in the first minute it nearly went so wrong. Brody Armour in goal for the injured Ethan Johnson was called into action right from the KO, he blocked the home sides first effort but Clayton Walker read it well and was on hand to clear the second effort off the line. After that wakeup call Russell Vale got their act together. Hayley Waller went bursting through the middle only to be thwarted at the first attempt but was quick to net the rebound, 0-1 to the Cobras. Blair Dunn came off the bench to score two superb goals and increase the lead to 0-3. With Russell Vale in full commend Baxter Bowler Prentice broke out of defence with the ball to set up Bailey Baade Mortimer to drive home number four.

 

In the second half Tarrawanna caught our defence flat footed twice but sandwiched in between was a cracking goal from Jordan Errington after good work from Riley Hanlon and Hayley Waller. Christian Baade Mortimer went close to scoring a couple of times and constantly caused havoc down the left hand side. With a comfortable 5-2 lead Russell Vale were content to play out the game which although it ended a few minutes early, there was still time for Blair Dunn to claim a hat-trick and make the final score 2-6 to the Cobras.

 

It would appear that visits to Tarrawanna are never short of goals but more importantly Russell Vale got their passing game going and played some good football.

 

Don’t forget training on Tuesday & Wednesday this week.

 

YNWA

Coach