Super Youth League Finals Series Review

The weather was kind once again and the playing surface at Valentine Sports Park was in good condition, allowing all the players to display their full range of talents to the maximum.
The opening day of the finals series is always full of tension and ambition and this day was most certainly no exception. The quality of the football on show was very good indeed and a true credit to all involved.
Grade 13
Preliminary Semi Final
When second placed Granville Rage faced third placed PCYC Parramatta Eagles it was always expected to be a close affair and that is exactly what happened.
After a scoreless first half, the game was still locked at 0-0 at full-time and so it was necessary to go to extra time for a result. However, neither team could find the net during the two ten-minute period.
The dreaded penalty shootout was required and it was here that Parramatta prevailed, winning the contest 5-4 and earning a spot in the Major Semi Final where they will meet Central Coast Lightning. Granville will play in the Minor Semi Final on the same day.
Elimination Semi Final
Fifth placed Sydney Wanderers took the lead in the tenth minute through D. Screpis and then they doubled the lead in the 21st minute with a goal from N. Anderson, a lead which they maintained until the break.
In the second half fourth placed Western Panthers fought back with a goal from J. Straney but it was not going to be enough to save them from elimination from the finals while the Wanderers will now face Granville Rage in the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 14
Preliminary Semi Final
Second placed Dulwich Hill found themselves a goal down after only three minutes when M. Glencourse scored for third placed Western Panthers and that made the game interesting right through to the interval.
When neither team could add to the scoresheet in the second half it meant that the Panthers had graduated to the Major Semi Final where they will play Bonnyrigg White Eagles while Dulwich Hill will play in the Minor Semi Final.
Elimination Semi Final
After a scoreless first half, fourth placed St George and fifth placed Schofields Scorpions went at each other even harder in the second stanza and that resulted in some goals.
The Scorpions scored first through a 36th minute strike from L. Maddison and then the Saints responded with a goal from S. Jeon in the 57th minute and that is the way the game stayed until the final whistle.
Extra time was required but the result remained at 1-1 so it was off to the penalty spot for a resolution. It was here that the Scorpions came to the fore with a 7-6 win and that has put them into the Minor Semi Final where they will meet Dulwich Hill while the Saints have been eliminated from the finals.
Grade 15
Preliminary Semi Final
Second placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles had finished four points ahead of third placed Southern NSW but this is finals football where anything can happen. And it did!
Southern scored a goal in each half through Jim Niemeier and Matthew Mills while the White Eagles were unable to find the back of the net in this match. That has put Southern into the Major Semi Final where they will face Western Panthers while Bonnyrigg will play in the Minor Semi Final.
Elimination Semi Final
After a first half where there were no goals fourth placed Northern Tigers came up with a second half winner over fifth placed PCYC Parramatta Eagles when J. Hannah scored in the 52nd minute and that was enough to earn them a place in the Minor Semi Final where they will meet Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Grade 16
Preliminary Semi Final
Northern Tigers finished in second spot and they managed to take a 1-0 lead over third placed Granville Rage into the half-time break. Both teams scored in the second stanza and that has resulted in the Tigers moving into the Major Semi Final where they will play PCYC Parramatta Eagles while Rage will play in the Minor Semi Final.
Elimination Semi Final
In the do-or-die match fourth placed Dulwich Hill faced off with fifth placed Spirit FC in a match that finished at 0-0 at the completion of normal time. Extra time was needed but still neither team could find the net and so it was off to the penalty spot to find a winner. It was here that Spirit gained the upper hand with a 5-4 victory that has put them into the Minor Semi Final against Granville Rage.
Grade 18
Preliminary Semi Final
The match between second placed Northern Tigers and third placed Western Panthers was locked at 0-0 at half-time but the second half saw the Tigers snatch the win with a goal from J. Brooker.
That means that the Tigers will meet Central Coast Lightning in the Major Semi Final while the Panthers will play in the Minor Semi Final.
Elimination Semi Final
Fourth Placed PCYC Parramatta Eagles met fifth placed Dulwich Hill in the sudden death match and the Eagles have lived to fight another day after D. Vanderakis scored a first half goal that proved to be enough. They will meet Western Panthers in the Minor Semi Final while Dulwich Hill will play no further part in the finals series.
-By Barry Davis