FUTSAL SUPER LEAGUE

Men?s Futsal Super Leage

First Half Onslaught Leads Dural to Victory 

A strong first half showing from the Warriors set them on the road to victory against the Northern Tigers in Dural. But perhaps the biggest talking point will be the third Dural goal which was seemingly scored a moment after the half time buzzer further hampering their chances of getting back into the game. 

Dural were again better organised in defence which in turn applied pressure to the Tigers outfit.  And so it was Dural who scored first with a very nicely worked move which saw quick passing from Toby Seeto to Ben Lawson who then sent the ball behind the Tigers defence and across goal to the flying Matt Dorigo to slide the ball in at the far post.      

The Tigers tried to counter but their hard work was halted by an organised Dural defence as they  had to rely more on counter attacks to find enough room to threaten the Warriors goal. Elliott Jurd called on all his experience to make some fine saves blocking Toby Seetos effort, then turning Ben Lawsons shot around the post, blocked a one-on-one attempt from Giovenry and blocking Ratsomo?s effort. The Dural keeper saved well from Daniel Hurwitz, Paul Orgad and Diego Ros firied over.  

Dural scored again when Ken Grogan dispossessed a Tigers defender and set up Elliott Ratsomo to score, then Elliott Ratsomo made it two in quick succession when he weaved through the defence and just as the half time buzzer went smashed a tremendous shot past the keeper. The goal seemed to be scored a split second after the buzzer sounded but the goal stood.  The referees keep a very tight lid on any remonstrations in Futsal and so the game went to half time with Dural leading 3-0.   

The Northern Tigers upped the ante in the second period and took the game to Dural but somehow it remained scoreless in the second half with both sides coming very close to scoring on many occasions. There was a nice back heel from Durals Ken Grogan to set up a teammate on goal, and Elliott Ratsomo was a constant danger. 

To their credit the Tigers led by former NSL veteran Phil Dalton and marshalled from the rear by keeper Elliott Jurd never gave up and a deserved consolation goal never materialised. But they have some talented youngsters with some of their cup winning U16 players from last season stepping up onto the big stage.    

Surprisingly Dural coach Robert Varela was happier with his sides second half display saying they kept better possession but couldn?t convert.  He also praised Durals policy of playing and developing only local juniors. Alluding to the fact that they don?t draft in players from other areas to bolster their ranks.  

Dural Warriors 3      Northern Tigers    0 Goals :  Dural –  Elliott Ratsomo 2, Matt Dorigo 

Women?s Futsal Super League

Hui Hat-Trick slays the Tigers 

A marvellous first half hat-trick from Rachael Hui put the Dural Warriors on course for a solid first win of the season. The effort is all the more amazing because the talented youngster doubles as the goalkeeper for the under 16?s.  

Both teams started the game looking intent on getting their passing game going and  building their game from the back .   Dural?s assured defence was putting pressure on the Tigers and it was Dural who broke the deadlock when Sarah Codrington dispossessed a Tigers defender on the right hand side, sped towards goal and clipped the ball neatly past the oncoming keeper .  

The goal forced the Tigers to lift their intensity and they twice went close to equalising when Stacey Morgan turned the defence and shot wide and then Yvette Joachim?s volley rattled the crossbar.   

Rachael Hui scored the first of her hat-trick of goals when she latched onto a Michelle Brown pass to slam the ball high into the net.  Tigers were guilty of poor marking on the periphery of the semi circle when a corner ball was fed straight to Hui who then slammed the ball home from 10 metres. Rachael then had a shot turned away for a corner. The Tigers marking again let them down when their defence allowed Hui more time and space on the edge of the area to score her third goal and Durals fourth taking them to a commanding 4-0 lead at half time.   

The Northern Tigers rallied in the second half and went close several times with Stacey Morgan hitting the side netting and three dural defenders blocking Maree Van Der Weilen?s effort on the line.  The Tigers were rewarded when Katie Trahair lost her markers and shot the ball past the advancing keeper. The game swung from end to end as both teams traded shots on goal with keepers Carly Wailes and Rebecca Woodroof making several fine saves. Dural twice rattled the woodwork in the second half through Kristie Liddle and Michelle Brown.   

To the Northern Tigers credit they won the second half and never gave up trying to close the gap on Durals lead. But Dural had the greater amount of chances and deserved their victory with superior defensive organisation which in turn put pressure on the Tigers all game.  

Dural coach Craig Laffin was happy with his young sides first win especially as the oldest player is only 20 years old with average age being around 17.   

Dural Warriors 4   Northern Tigers 1 
Goals :  Dural ? Rachael Hui 3, Sarah Codrington            
Nthn Tigers ? Katie Trahair