Southern Districts – Centenary Cup Champions 2008

Blacktown had beaten Eastern Suburbs (quarters) and Granville (semis) to earn the right in the final to play against Southern Districts who had beaten Sutherland (quarters) and St George (semis) on their way to the Final.
The game was a cracking affair with Blacktown scoring from two extremely well taken free kicks in the first half by Brendon Swift to go to the break leading 2-0 and looking for all the world as the winners. 
The Southern Districts players however came out in a very eager mood and it was not long before they Braydon Gibbs scored a great goal to peg the lead back to one.  Shortly after, courtesy of a penalty kick Robbie Perre levelled the scores for Southern Districts at 2-2 and that is they way it remained full time.
An extra five minutes each way ?golden goal? was played but neither team was prepared to yield and eventually the dreaded penalty shoot out was the only way to separate these two great sides, and after making a great save Southern Districts ?keeper Blake Tuxford took the next kick and scored himself, paving the way for a Southern Districts victory in the Centenary Cup of 2008 by four penalties to one. 
All players and their coaching staff are to be commended for the excellent standard of this match and also the great sporting manner in which it was played.
Sydney FC players Clint Bolton and Adam Casey with Brendan Renaud also assisting made the presentation of medals with the players expressing great delight in the performances of the players. 
A presentation was also made to the Player of the Final, Robbie Perre from Southern Districts for his outstanding contribution to the match. 
Earlier in the week Sydney FC players Jacob Timpano and Brendan Santalab also attended and Sydney FC are to be congratulated on such wonderful ambassadors as these fine young players who were mobbed by the large crowd in attendance eager for autographs and a chance to be photographed with their own heroes.
General Manager Mr Ian Holmes, Risk Manager Michelle Hanley together with High Performance Managers Paul Bentveltzen and Norm Boardman also represented Football NSW at the Centenary Cup and all three were very impressed by the standard of play of these 12 year old Stars of Tomorrow and also the very large crowd of supporters who attended all week.
Football NSW would also like to thank the Woonona Junior Soccer Club (in particular Mr Barry Waldron and his hard working committee) for hosting the 2008 Centenary Cup.
Mr Andy Paschalidis and Football NSW?s Stars of Tomorrow were also in attendance for this tournament and look for their incisive and informative report in coming weeks on their very popular program.
Larry Grant
Competition Secretary
Community Football