The Youth League Report (Super Youth League) Finals Series Review

The first round of the finals series was played at Valentine Park on Sunday and the superb quality of the play on show was more than enough to silence even the harshest critic.
Grade 13
Elimination Semi Final
Blacktown Spartans had beaten Dulwich Hill 2-1 when they met in the first round of the competition and they went on to add the second round points with a 3-0 result.
In an even first half Blacktown gained the upper hand when S. Borthwick gave them the lead in the 19^th minute and they managed to take that advantage to the interval. Both teams came out firing in the second half and Dulwich Hill found the equaliser they had been looking for when H. Jones scored in the 49^th minute. However, that situation last only five minutes when J. Douglas restored the lead for the Spartans.
While Blacktown have progressed to the Minor Semi Final, Dulwich Hill have completed their commitments to the finals series.
Preliminary Semi Final
Central Coast Lightning went down 1-0 when they met Spirit FC in the first round of the competition and then the second round match was a scoreless draw.
This match was a cracker and an absolute joy to watch as the teams went at each other from the first whistle to the last. Neither team had found the back of the net by the half-time break but seven minutes into the second half C. Blinco gave Lightning the lead. Spirit pressed hard in search of an equaliser but they could not find it and so they have moved into the Minor Semi Final while Lightning will play in the Major Semi Final.
Grade 14
Elimination Semi Final
There was nothing between PCYC Parramatta and Western Panthers when they met earlier in the season as both matches finished as draws, 2-2 in the first round and 1-1 the second time around.
The first half was a close affair but the Panthers managed to gain the early advantage when they took a 1-0 lead through J. Stoney in the 5^th minute. The Eagles busied themselves with seeking out a way to equalise but that proved to be elusive as the Panthers? defence held firm
Seven minutes into the second half J. Press extended the lead for the Panther to 2-0 and that gave Parramatta a mountain that was far too difficult to climb despite their best efforts. The Eagles have bowed out of the finals series with their heads held high while Western have moved into the Minor Semi Final.
Preliminary Semi Final
Central Coast Lightning were 2-0 winners when they faced Dulwich Hill the first time around and then Lightning took the second round points with a 2-1 victory in a match played only last week.
That trend seemed set to continue when Lightning went to the break with a 1-0 lead but Dulwich Hill fought back in the second half to score an equaliser that would force extra time to be played. When neither team could add to their tally the decider was to be found from the penalty spot.
It was here that Lightning proved to be a bit better when they won the shootout 4-2, an outcome that has put Dulwich Hill into the Minor Semi Final and Central Coast into the Major Semi Final.
Grade 15
Elimination Semi Final
Schofields Scorpions had won 2-0 when they faced Macarthur Rams in the first round of the competition and then the Scorpions won the second round clash 2-0 and in a match that was played only last week.
This time the Scorpions got off to a good start when B. Drossos found the net in the 5^th minute but then the Rams produced an equaliser though S. Perre a minute before the interval after the intervening period had been very even. Despite a number of near things at both ends of the ground. Neither team was able to gain an advantage in the second half and so extra time was called upon but there was still no change to the scoreline.
The penalty shootout finally produced a winner when the Scorpions prevailed 5-2 to earn a spot in the Minor Semi Final while the Rams have bowed out of the finals.
Preliminary Semi Final
Western Panthers posted a solid 5-1 success over PCYC Parramatta in the first round of the competition but then the Eagles squared things up when they won the second round match 2-0.
In a very closely contested match the Panthers put their noses in front with a 30^th minute strike from M. Hutchings and they carried that lead through to the break. The Eagles manufactured a 46th minute equaliser thanks to M. Slee but the Panthers kept their nerve as they went on to find what proved to be the winning goal through Z. Parlos in the 61^st Minute.
Western Panther will now play in the Major Semi Final and PCYC have gone into the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 16
Elimination Semi Final
Blacktown Spartans and Macarthur Rams finished their first round encounter at 2-2 but then the Rams collected the second round points with a 1-0 win.
From the very first whistle these teams went at each other with a determination that gave every indication that this would be a very close thing. Blacktown Drew first blood with a third minute goal from R. Gibson but their lead lasted only three minutes when F. Nasso scored an equaliser for the Rams.
Ten minutes later Gibson restored the lead for the Spartans and they were able to take that through to the interval. However, seven minutes into the second stanza it was all square again after J. De Gouveia found the back of the net. Extra time failed to find a winner and so the penalty spot was called upon once more. After ten kicks each Macarthur claimed the victory when the shootout ended at 8-7 and that has given them a place in the Minor Semi Final while Blacktown completed their commitments to the finals series.
Preliminary Semi Final
PCYC Parramatta and Northern Tigers played out a 1-1 draw when they met in the first round of the competition and then the Eagles took all the second round points when they won 3-1.
On this occasion the action flowed from one end of the ground to the other and the heart-stopping action was relentless but when the half-time whistle sounded neither team had scored. When they both stepped up a gear in the second half it seemed certain that one or the other would make a breakthrough but although they both had their chances neither team scored.
Yet another gear was found for the extra time periods but still the net was not bulged and so a decision was need from the penalty spot. It was here that Parramatta came to the fore when they won 6-5 and they have claimed the spot in the Major Semi Final while the Tigers will play in the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 18
Elimination Semi Final
Central Coast Lightning went down 5-1 when they played Northern Tigers the first time around and then the Tigers completed the double with a 4-0 success in the second round.
Some delightful football was played in an action-packed first half but, despite several chances, neither team was able to gain the advantage. The second half produced some equally great play and it was here that Lightning gained the upper hand through a double strike from B. Silvers late in the game.
Lightning have earned a place in the Minor Semi Final while the Tigers have bowed out of the finals with considerable pride.
Preliminary Semi Final
Schofields Scorpions were beaten 3-1 in their first round match with Macarthur Rams who went on with the job, claiming the second round points with a 3-2 scoreline.
It seemed from the outset that the Rams were really switched on for this clash while the Scorpions appeared to take some time to get into the action. While Macarthur had the majority of the play, it could never be said that Schofields were out of the game.
It took until a minute before the break for the Rams to gain the upper hand and they did so with a strike from J. Morley. Macarthur doubled their advantage in the 65^th minute with a goal from M. Perenich and then the same player took the score to 3-0 with a goal in the 80^th minute.
The Rams will now play in the Major Semi Final while Schofields have gone into the Minor Semi Final.
-By Barry Davis