VSP set for fairytale ending
After a pulsating weekend of Semi Final action the draw for the Men?s 2009 Champion of Champions Grand Final day was finalised today at Football NSW headquarters.
Teams from Illawarra and Manly-Warringah dominate the draw with several sides from Southern Districts, Canterbury and Gladesville-Hornsby in the mix.
The U10 Champion of Champions Grand Final sees the first of five Illawarra Champions, Figtree, up against Bondi United (Eastern Suburbs). Figtree, after starting brightly, survived two penalty shoot outs to reach the grand final, wins against Ku-Ring-Gai [2-0], Kincumber Roos (Central Coast) [4p-1p ? 0-0 FT/ET] and Carrs Park (St. George) [4p-3p ? 0-0 FT/ET] in the Semi Final cemented their spot. Bondi United reached the final after wins against Southern Tablelands [10-0], Parklea (Blacktown) [1-0] and Forest Killarney (Manly-Warringah) [3-0] in the Semi Final.
The U11 Champion of Champions Grand Final sees the second of five Illawarra Champions in action with Balgownie up against Manly-Warringah Champions Wakehurst. Balgownie progressed to the final after wins over Ku-Ring-Gai [4-2], Terrigal FC (Central Coast) [6-1] and Baulkham Hills (Granville) [3-1] in the Semi Final. Wakehurst progressed after wins over Lithgow [11-0], Nepean [3p-2p ? 2-2 FT/ET], Putney Rangers (Gladesville-Hornsby) [4-1] and Queens Park (Eastern Suburbs) [1-0] in the Semi Final.
After convincing opening round wins, Fairfield Colts (Southern Districts) and Glossodia (Nepean) fought tooth and nail on route to the U12 Champion of Champions Grand Final. Fairfield Colts won through to the final after wins over Highlands [4-0], Granville [4p-3p ? 0-0 FT/ET), Carrs Park (St. George) [2-1] and Unanderra (Illawarra) [2-1] in the Semi Final. Glossodia progressed after defeating Bathurst [8-0], Manly-Warringah [1-0], Bangor (Sutherland) [3-1] and Maroubra United (Eastern Suburbs) [1-0] in the Semi Final.
The U13 Champion of Champions Grand Final sees the third Illawarra representative Oak Flats up against Gladesville-Hornsby Champions Gladesville Ravens. In a very tight competition, neither side was able to completely stamp their authority on the tournament with both teams relying heavily on their defence to see them through. Oak Flats defeated Ku-Ring-Gai [1-0], Narellan Rangers (Macarthur) [1-0] and Fairfield Bulls (Southern Districts) [4-0] in the Semi Final on route to the Grand Final. Gladesville Ravens won through to the final in much tighter circumstances defeating Sutherland [1-0], Wakehurst (Manly-Warringah) [1-0] and Burwood (Canterbury) [4p-2p ? 0-0 FT/ET] in the Semi Final.
Both sides boast impressive records in the U14 Champion of Champions Grand Final, with Granville Champions Lidcombe Waratahs going right through the tournament without conceding a goal whilst Manly-Warringah Champions Wakehurst boast an attack which has scored 20 goals throughout the competition. Lidcombe Waratahs progressed through to the final after wins over Griffith [3-0], Highlands [4-0], Bexley North (St. George) [1-0] and Balgownie (Illawarra) [2-0] in the Semi Final. Wakehurst defeated Lithgow [13-0], Nepean [3-1] Cootamundra (South West Slopes) [2-1] and Quakers Hill Tigers (Blacktown) [2-1] in the Semi Final on route to the final.
Illawarra?s fourth representative Balgownie will go head-to-head with the first of three Canterbury Champions, Earlwood, in the U15 Champion of Champions Grand Final. Balgownie won through to the final following impressive victories over Ku-Ring-Gai [6-0], Woy Woy (Central Coast) [3-0] and Winston Hills (Granville) [2-0] in the Semi Final. In a tighter side of the draw, Earlwood progressed after wins over Orange [4-0], Blacktown [3-1], Heffron Hawks (Eastern Suburbs) [2-1] and Menai Hawks (Sutherland) [3-2] in the Semi Final.
The U16 Champion of Champions Grand Final will see two clubs bathed in Italian heritage do battle, with AC United (Southern Districts) up against Leichhardt Tigers (Canterbury). AC United progressed to the final after wins over Highlands [14-0], Granville [2-1], Peakhurst [4p-3p ? 0-0 FT/ET) and Wyong (Central Coast) [3-1] in the Semi Final. Leichhardt Tigers won through to the final after wins over Blacktown [3-1], Mascot Kings (Eastern Suburbs) [1-0] and Wakehurst (Manly-Warringah) [3-2] in the Semi Final.
The U17 Champion of Champions Grand Final will see the fifth and final Illawarra representative, Wollongong Olympic, up against Canterbury Champions Inter Lions. In a tight competition, Wollongong Olympic progressed with wins over Ku-Ring-Gai [6-0], Gosford City (Central Coast) [4p-2p ? 1-1 FT/ET] and Lidcombe Waratahs (Granville) [3-2] in the Semi Final. Inter Lions whilst only playing two matches on route to the final found it tough going with tight victories over Blacktown [1-0] and Eastwood St. Andrews (Gladesville-Hornsby) [5p-4p ? 1-1 FT/ET] in the Semi Final.
Dubbo Champions Orana Spurs dominated the U18 Champion of Champions competition, scoring an amazing 17 goals in four matches. Gladesville-Hornsby opponents whilst not as convincing progressed through to the final without conceding a goal. Orana Spurs progressed to the final with wins over St. George [3-2], Bankstown [6-0], Parramatta City (Granville) [4-1] and Kissing Point (Ku-Ring-Gai) [4-1] in the Semi Final. Kenthurst won through to the final with victories over Sutherland [1-0], Wakehurst (Manly-Warringah) [5p-4p ? 0-0 FT/ET] and Milton Ulladulla (Shoalhaven) [1-0] in the Semi Final.
The U21 Champion of Champions Grand Final will be contested between Southern Districts Champions Kemps Creek United and Blacktown Champions Quakers Hill Juniors. Kemps Creek United won through to the final with wins over Granville [5-2] and Budgewoi (Central Coast) [7-0] in the Semi-Final. Quakers Hill Juniors secured a Grand Final place with wins over Canterbury [4-2] and Cranebrook UFC (Nepean) [2-0] in the Semi Final.
The All Age Men Champion of Champions promises to be an exciting encounter with the two most dominant sides in the competition set to face off. Both Bankstown Champions Yagoona Lions and Manly-Warringah Champions Brookvale have no trouble finding the back of the net scoring 14 and 10 goals respectively. Yagoona Lions qualified for the final after wins over Eurobodalla [6-1], Dubbo [6-1] and Berkeley Vale (Central Coast) [2-1] in the Semi Final. Brookvale progressed after victories over Nepean [4-0], Pennant Hills (Granville) [1-0] and Hurlstone Park (Canterbury) [5-0] in the Semi Final.
In the Over 35?s Champion of Champions Grand Final, Gladesville-Hornsby outfit All Saints Hunters Hill will go head-to-head with Manly-Warringah Champions Cromer Collaroy Strikers. All Saints Hunters Hill on route to the final defeated Ku-Ring-Gai [5p-4p ? 2-2 FT/ET], Macarthur [2-1] and Southern Districts [5-4] in the Semi Final. Whilst Cromer Collaroy Strikers defeated Nepean [4-0], Eastern Suburbs [5-2] and Canterbury [2-1] in the Semi Final.
Finally, in the Over 45?s Champion of Champions final, St. George are set to do battle with Gladesville-Hornsby. St. George qualified for the final after they defeated Bankstown [3-1], Southern Districts [2-1] and Ku-Ring-Gai [2-0] in the Semi Final. Gladesville-Hornsby defeated Sutherland [4-0], Manly-Warringah [1-0] and Canterbury [4-1] on route to the final.
Commencing in 1972, the Football NSW Champion of Champions tournament is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the footballing calendar, with champions from each association pitted against each other in a battle for supremacy.
The 2009 Champion of Champions Men?s Grand Finals will be the final tournament played at VSP before Football NSW? move to Columbia Court.
Details
Champion of Champions Grand Final Day (Men?s)
Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood
25th of October, 2009
U10 (10:30am) Figtree (Illawarra) v Bondi United (Eastern Suburbs) ? Field 3
U 11 (11:45am) Balgownie (Illawarra) v Wakehurst (Manly-Warringah) ? Field 3
U12 (9am) Fairfield Colts (Southern Districts) v Glossodia (Nepean) ? Field 2
U13 (1pm) Oak Flats (Illawarra) v Gladesville Ravens (Gladesville-Hornsby) ? Field 3
U14 (9am) Lidcombe Waratahs (Granville) v Wakehurst (Manly-Warringah) ? Field 1
U15 (2:30pm) Balgownie (Illawarra) v Earlwood (Canterbury) ? Field 3
U16 (12:30pm) AC United (Southern Districts) v Leichhardt Tigers (Canterbury) ? Field 1
U17 (12:15pm) Wollongong Olympic (Illawarra) v Inter Lions (Canterbury) ? Field 2
U18 (10:30am) Orana Spurs (Dubbo) v Kenthurst (Gladesville-Hornsby) ? Field 1
U21 (2pm) Kemps Creek United (Southern Districts) v Quakers Hill Juniors (Blacktown) ? Field 1
AA (4pm) Yagoona Lions (Bankstown) v Brookvale (Manly-Warringah) ? Field 1
O35 (10:15am) All Saints Hunters Hill (Gladesville-Hornsby) v Cromer Collaroy Strikers (Manly-Warringah) ? Field 2
O45 (2:15pm) St George v Gladesville Hornsby ? Field 2
