Development Youth League – Final Series Report

The quality of the games was superb as no quarter was asked or given from anyone concerned in these vital matches and that delighted everyone fortunate enough to bear witness to the spectacle as the day unfolded.
Grade 13          Sydney University v Fraser Park
This was a terrific game and it really set the tone for the standard of football that was to be seen on the day in terms of skill, determination and spirit that have been the hallmarks of the competition throughout the season.
The early play was very even but Uni settled into their stride first and they were rewarded with two unanswered goals before the break but it must be said that Fraser Park were always threatening to find a way to get themselves back into the game.
In the second half Uni grabbed the initiative with a third goal and that provided a mountain that was simply too big for the Dragons to climb although they did not throw in the towel at any stage.
For the record Petros Stefadarios, Robert Ellis and John Marantos were the goal scorers on the day.
In the final analysis, Sydney University will meet Gladesville Ryde Magic in the Grand Final while Fraser Park have bowed out of the finals series.
Grade 14          Fraser Park v Camden Tigers
Camden were out of the blocks quickly and they made a lot of the early running but Fraser Park hauled them in shortly and the match became a reasonably even challenge.
That was until Redha Al-Nakeeb put Camden ahead with a goal in the 18^th minute at which point the match became really interesting.
Fraser Park threw everything they had at the Tigers who were forced to defend for long periods but they seemed to cope with the pressure through some disciplined and well organised play.
Camden absolutely refused to buckle as they were forced to rely on quick counter attacks as they sought to increase their lead.
In the end, Fraser Park were unable to break down the defensive resolve shown by Camden and so their campaign has come to an end for this season while the Tigers will now play Blacktown Spartans in the Grand Final on Saturday.
Grade 15          Blacktown Spartans v Mt Druitt Town Rangers
What a game this one turned out to be! The Rangers started with a determined and hungry look about them as they took charge of the game from the first whistle and then the Spartans began to make some inroads.
Mt Druitt took the lead in the 24^th minute when Ryan Faulkner found the net and they then resumed control of the match through to the break.
When play resumed the Rangers once again put the Spartans on the back foot as they launched wave after wave of attacks and that brought about a second goal in the 50^th minute, this one coming from Bilal Vavas.
That seemed to finally stir Blacktown into action as they regained their composure and began to take the first steps on the long road to recovery from a potential loss.
In the 59^th minute the scoreline went to 2-1 when Ryan Gibson found the back of the net for the Spartans and then a minute before the final whistle he was on hand to take the score to 2-2.
That meant that extra time was required and it was here that the Spartans showed that their revival was complete when M. Dengate gave them a 3-2 lead.
The Rangers were shell shocked by the comeback and they could not find a way to get themselves back into the contest and so they have come to the end of the road for this season while Blacktown will play Fraser Park in Saturday?s Grand Final.
Grade 16          Stanmore Hawks v Mt Druitt Town Rangers
This game was yet another cliff-hanger that excited the crowd from go to whoa and gave a good indication of the passion required to play at this level of the game.
There was very little between the teams in the early stages of the game but it was to be the Hawks who made the vital breakthrough with a 10^th minute goal from T. Bakoulis.
The Rangers rolled up their sleeves as they went in search of an equaliser but it proved to be a difficult assignment as Stanmore defended as though their lives depended upon it and so there was no addition to the score before the interval.
Stanmore resumed full of fire and they extended their lead to 2-0 when a 44^th minute strike from W. Clairmont found the target, further inspiring the Rangers to fight the good fight and to get back into the event.
It was not until the 70^th minute that Mt Druitt scored and that came from a header from H. Cakal but it was too little and far too late as it proved to be the last ball contact of the match, meaning that it was the end of the road for the Rangers while the Hawks will play Fraser Park in the Grand Final on Saturday.
Grade 18          Gladesville Ryde Magic v Mt Druitt Town Rangers
What a game to end the day! The end-to-end action was relentless as both teams threw everything they had into their efforts to achieve the result they both craved.
Very early in the game it became apparent that there was nothing between these two teams as they attacked each other with a delightful resolve that was a pleasure to watch.
Although there were no goals scored in the first half, there was certainly no lacking in goalmouth action as both goalkeepers were constantly showing their full array of skills and athleticism.
Mt Druitt finally found the back of the net nine minutes into the second stanza thanks to a strike from L. Darkoh who, moments later, was sent from the field for a second yellow card offence.
Magic were not about to lie down just because they were a goal behind and they took the play to the Rangers who showed they were equal to the challenge with some well drilled defensive play that denied their opponents the space they needed.
When Gladesvillle had a player sent off the numbers were even again and that gave the Rangers the advantage they needed because their ten players were already settled into their pattern of play.
No matter what they did or how hard they tried Magic could not find a goal and so they have bowed out of the finals series while Mt Druitt will play in Saturday?s Grand Final.