Northern Tigers pip Central Coast Lightning for Under 20’s title
Played in-front of a healthy turn-out, both sides were under the ?pump? from the opening minutes as the match was played (12:30 pm kick-off) in 35 degree heat.
These two sides finished first and second on the League ladder – Northern Tigers finishing the Premiers ? meanwhile the third-placed side was well out of the picture, illustrating the dominance of both the Grand Finalists.
The Northern Tigers found the go-ahead goal inside of the first 20? minutes as Peter Ellis was on hand to ?hit home? from close-range following a swift move.
Central Coast Lightning went close to an equaliser twice in the closing exchanges of the first forty-five minutes. Eric Koelma showed his pace and great feet when he latched onto a through ball out of midfield played behind the Tigers? defence.
Koelma managed to anticipate goalkeeper Jonathon Faerber, chipping the shot-stopper, though the final effort finished wide. Koelma had a second chance before the break when he hit an exceptional snap-shot from the edge of the penalty-area with his back to goal; Faerber was on-hand to produce an immense save.
The second-half showed the effects of the heat as both sets of players uncharacteristically gave the ball away on numerous occasions.
Sebastian Kenda doubled the Tigers lead on 71? minutes as he was on hand to punish a poorly cleared defensive effort. Kenda calmly picked up the ball and calmly slotted past Mitchell Stubbs. Northern Tigers? David Cain then nearly put the result beyond doubt with a long-range effort finishing wide of the target.
Central Coast Lightning?s ?luck-less? afternoon was summed up by Keenan Crum?s promising run down the left-flank. Crum beat his marker though took an extra touch of the ball and forcing the ball over the goal-line.
Timothy Knight then had the Lightning?s last chance of the match to get his side on the scoreboard, though his left-footed effort lacked power and was a routine save for Faerber. Northern Tigers claimed a much deserved Grand Final triumph following an exceptional 2008 season where the side collected only two-losses over 22-games.
Match Stats
Venue: Gabbie Stadium.
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Steven Nguyen
Fourth Official: Matthew Gillett
Crowd: 1,500 Approx.
Northern Tigers 2 (Peter Ellis 15?, Sebastian Kenda 71?)
Central Coast Lightning 0
Northern Tigers: 35. Jonathon Faerber; 33. Alex Greely, 31. Andy Bryan, 32. Kieran Donatov, 24. Chris Kirley, 29. Chad Cowley, 20. Michael Orlic, 26. David Cain, 34. Josh Yeates, 28. Sebastian Kenda, 27. Peter Ellis
Substitutes: 1. Mark Messina (gk), 27. N. Saundery, 19. James Stubbs-Mills, 22. Robert Davey, 30. Tom Mackay
Coach: Jason Eager
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Central Coast Lightning: 1. Mitchell Stubbs; 19. Timothy Knight, 20. Mitchell Harper, 21. Keenan Crum, 23. Joshua Hall, 24. Ty-Brodie Owens, 25. Graham Toope, 26. Rhys Snodgrass, 28. Patrick Dalton, 30. Eric Koelma, 31. Scott McGinley,
Substitutes: 17. Aaron Hammond (gk), 22. Craig Simpson, 27. Matthew Lawrence, 29. Gavin Hardwick, 34. Dane Fernley
Co-Coaches: Alan Hackett & Tony Irwin
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Sebastian Kenda (NT)
2 ? Joel Carter (NT)
1 ? Eric Koelma (CCL)
-By Joseph Carlucci
