Sutherland top of the pops in Metropolitan Representative League U11 Grand Final

The surface looked lush and green, the weather was sunny and sparkling, and the fans had come in numbers to see the cream of the crop in the Under 11s competition as Sutherland Association prepared to do battle with Gladesville Hornsby Association.
Sutherland finished the season proper as runners up on the ladder to Southern Districts, losing only the one game out of twenty two, and boasted the best defensive record, conceding a paltry eight goals.
Sutherland managed to beat Granville Assoc 2-1 in the Preliminary Semi Final, before accounting for the Premiers, Southern Districts, 2-1, in the Major Semi Final to progress into the Grand Final.
Gladesville Hornsby, on the other hand, had done it the hard way, finishing fourth on the competition ladder, before winning no less than three sudden death semi finals to take their position in the Grand Final.
Central Coast and Granville were both victims of a golden goal winner, both losing 1-2 to Gladesville Hornsby, whilst Southern Districts succumbed 4-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
So Gladesville coach, Alan Tasses, had his troops well prepared for another do or die battle in what promised to be a real cracker against Sutherland.
Gladesville were on the attack in the opening minute, with Jackson Bandiera working himself past two Sutherland defenders before cutting the ball to Cameron Whitlock, whose shot was blocked.
Bandiera was at it again a few minutes later, dribbling a couple of players before his shot was bravely blocked once more, this time by Sutherland defender, Timothy Kovanis.
Gladesville continued to come at Sutherland in the early exchanges, and Frank Sorbello was desperately unlucky not to score on 7 minutes, his header from Bandiera?s corner cleared off the line by the Sutherland defence.
Gladesville?s Callum Kealy was proving a real threat for Sutherland, the blonde number 10 exchanging passes with Bandiera in the 8^th minute before his low crack from outside the box flashed centimeters wide of the upright.
It was all Gladesville at this stage, and Sutherland were doing well to stay focused defensively and not concede.
But Jackson Bandiera was continuing to make inroads down the left for Gladesville, and in the 10^th minute he skillfully hurdled two Sutherland defenders before his low angled shot rebounded into the grateful arms of Sutherland?s busy goalkeeper, Cameron Kemp.
Sutherland could?ve taken the lead in the 15^th minute against the run of play, when on the end of a counter attack, Christopher Katsaros skillfully cut inside his opponent, before shooting low and wide of the mark.
Sutherland started to build a little momentum at the back end of the first period, and had a couple of opportunities to take what would?ve been an unlikely lead at that stage.
Kyle Flanagan burst into the Gladesville box in the 16^th minute before shooting, with Gladesville defender, Jacob Basden, showing courage to throw his body in front of the ball and divert it for a corner.
Then Flanagan had another go a minute later, taking a snapshot under pressure from within the penalty box, with, once again, the Gladesville defence deflecting the effort for a corner.
Sutherland?s Anthony Sotiriou then had a crack from 20 yards, Gladesville?s keeper, Connor Hammond, saving comfortably to keep the match scoreless.
The first half had one last opportunity, and it was a breathtaking move that almost gave Gladesville the opening goal of the match.
Skipper, Cameron Whitlock, and Callum Kealy had a swift interchange of passes down the middle of the park, before releasing Jackson Bandiera into the box.
Bandiera showed his speed of touch to go brush past his defender before cracking his angled shot into the side netting.
Referee Mr James Fowler was having a great game in the middle, allowing the match to flow, and he duly blew his half time whistle to bring an end to a thrilling 25  minutes of football.
Gladesville Hornsby were desperately unlucky not to have anything to show for their efforts, and had dominated proceedings after coming out like a house on fire.
Sutherland, on the other hand, would?ve been content to have kept their opponents scoreless, and knew deep down that their turn would come eventually, and they would be keen to take their chances when they would present themselves.
That chance did in fact present itself as early as the third minute of the second half, and Sutherland punished Gladesville to take the lead with a clinical strike.
Wil Matthews went on a mazy run into the Gladesville penalty box, before putting his foot on the ball and turning back inside a couple of Gladesville defenders.
Matthews then smartly laid the ball square to Kyle Flanagan in the middle of the penalty box, and Flanagan calmly took a touch before dispatching the ball past Rocco Panzarino in the Gladesville goal, sending the Sutherland fans crazy.
Gladesville responded a few minutes later with a great strike from 20 yards by Jackson Bandiera, the ball going straight down the middle and into the grateful arms of Sutherland?s custodian, Cameron Kemp.
Sutherland almost doubled their advantage in the 34^th minute when Tobias Norval shot inches wide of the onrushing Rocco Panzarino after latching onto a great through ball by Wil Matthews.
The match hung in the balance as both teams went hammer and tongs, Gladesville desperate to drag themselves back into the contest.
But Sutherland put paid to that in the 42^nd minute, with a brilliantly executed counter attack.
A through ball down the left flank was seized upon by the speedy Christopher Katsaros, and once in possession, he knocked in a superb square pass into the penalty area.
The predatory Wil Matthews beat the Gladesville keeper, Rocco Panzarino , to the ball, and flicked it past him before knocking it into an empty net to put Sutherland two goals up.
The full time whistle shrieked minutes later, and the Sutherland fans erupted as their team were crowned Grand Final winners.
Sutherland coaches, Stuart Cox and Alan Roberts, were understandably ecstatic with their team?s victory on the day.
?We knew Gladesville would come out hard and fast, and we weathered the storm in both halves, before scoring the goals when it counted most,? said Alan Roberts.
?They are a great bunch of kids, who have shown consistency and determination throughout the season. We make sure we have fun at training, and we also make sure each and every player gets plenty of game time with our rotation roster,? added Stuart Cox.
Best for Sutherland in a great team performance were ;  Wil Matthews showed a great sense for being a striker, setting up the first goal, scoring the second, and always being in and around the penalty box action ; captain Kyle Flanagan was composed in a tight midfield, and supported his attack well, scoring a goal also ; whilst Blake Robertson was fierce in the tackle, showing great timing and speed to thwart many Gladesville attacks.
For Gladesville ; Jackson Bandiera was a threat every time he touched the ball, with his strength and touch on the ball down the left flank creating many opportunities for his team ; Callum Kealy was a fantastic focal point in attack, holding up the ball well with his strength, and showed great vision in bringing his team mates into play ; captain Cameron Whitlock held his own in the middle of the park, winning possession and effective in his distribution.
Match Stats
SUTHERLAND ASSOC 2 (Kyle Flanagan 28?, Wil Matthews 42?)
GLADESVILLE HORNSBY ASSOC 0
Sunday, September 13th, at CUA Stadium, Penrith
Referee ? Mr.James Fowler
Referee?s Assistants ? Mr.Dean Wright & Mr.Matthew Davis
Fourth Official ? Mr.Tim Uren
SUTHERLAND ASSOC: 1. Cameron KEMP, 2. Timothy KOVANIS, 3. Anthony MORABITO, 4. Anthony SOTIRIOU, 5. Liam THOMAS, 6. Thomas PAPA, 7. Christopher KATSAROS, 8. Blake ROBERTSON, 9. Wil MATTHEWS, 10. Kyle FLANAGAN (capt), 11. Luke VLASTELICA, 12. Nick SULLIVAN, 13. Bradley GIAMPAOLI, 14. Guiliano AIROLDI, 15. Tobias NORVAL.
Coaches ? Stuart COX & Alan ROBERTS
Manager ? Robert NORVAL
GLADESVILLE HORNSBY ASSOC: 2. James GEORGAKLIS, 3. Jacob BASDEN, 4. Frank SORBELLO,  5. Luca TORRE, 6. Connor McPHIE, 7. Nathan PHILIPS,  8. Cameron WHITLOCK (capt), 9. Mitchell WYATT, 10. Callum KEALY, 11. Jackson BANDIERA, 12. Isaac DANDAN, 14. Nathan STEVENS, 15. Daniel BOUMAN, 16. Daniel BOUNPRASEUTH, 31. Connor HAMMOND,32. Rocco PANZARINO.
Coach ? Allan TASSES
Assistant Coach ? Chris KINSELLA
Manager ? Geoff BASDEN
-By Frank Speranza