Gladesville-Ryde Magic prevail in nail-biting shootout for Grade 20’s crown
The Magic had beaten Schofields a fortnight ago in the major semi final, albeit 2-0 after extra time, a game that saw two of the Scorpions marched and subsequently suspended for the big one.
Both sides seemed somewhat overawed by the big occasion, given the way the game unfolded within the first half hour or so.
Neither side managed to create any clear cut opportunities, with both defences holding firm, more by rushed clearances rather than by calm or composure.
It was indeed the Scorpions that almost broke the deadlock on 34 minutes when they conjured up something from nothing.
Schofields? Lee Antaky chased a hopeful ball that sailed high towards the corner stick.
Retrieving the leather within inches of the sideline, Antaky then produced a wonderful piece of skill to turn two defenders inside out, cutting the ball back to Zachary Watters.
Watters steadied before hitting a rasping drive that cannoned off the cross bar to safety.
Simmering below the nerves was a little tension, no doubt, and the match erupted on 43 minutes when an innocuous challenge near the sideline escalated from ?handbags at six paces? to a push and shove with some punches thrown.
Referee, Nathan Roberts, restored order, and upon discussion with his assistants, cautioned the initiators, Prasheel Sharma of Schofields and Blake Gaffney of Gladesville, before marching Ethan Simone for violent conduct.
Gladesville took immediate advantage of the extra personnel, and in first half injury time, Alistair McKie?s sharp shot from the edge of the box was expertly turned over by Schofield custodian, Shane Johnson, after Johhny Martinez had split the Scorpions backline with a great through pass.
The game desperately needed a goal, and it came just four minutes into the second stanza.
Gladesville?s captain, Scott Tonkin, took hold of possession in the middle of the opponents? half, and took it upon himself to drive forward towards goal, slipping the ball square across the edge of the penalty area to Stuart Raines.
Raines hit a gem of a shot that flew just inside the stunned Shane Johnson?s post to give the Magic a 1-0 lead.
Gladesville upped the ante, and Tonkin was at it again on 57 minutes, scoping his shot over from the edge of the box after Martinez had again played the pass.
The Magic captain could smell the kill, and Tonkin almost made it two, stretching his size 12 boots to get a flick onto Alistair McKie?s free kick, the ball inches wide of the upright.
Schofield s kept toiling hard, especially the front two pairing of Zac Watters and Josh Schumann, but the Gladesville defence held firm, well marshaled by Aaron Khan.
In fact Schumann?s instincts almost grabbed his team an equalizer, squeezing himself between Magic keeper, Pat Ferrara, and a Magic defender, to get a toe to a loose ball that eventually trickled wide.
Pushing an extra player forward left Schofields a little vulnerable at the back, but Gladesville could not remain composed when time and time again they were presented with either ?3-on-3? or even ?4-on-3? opportunities.
Lively striker, Russ Bream, had a great chance for Gladesville on the back of one of these counter attacks, when Tonkin slipped a through ball to him on 68 minutes, but he hesitated, and Schofields? keeper Shane Johnson smothered the close range shot.
Jonathon McCrea had entered proceedings with half an hour to play, and the energetic winger injected some much need thrust to the Schofields game plan.
In the 73rd minute, McCrea raced down field with pace, cut inside, and let fly with a shot that skewed wide off his boot.
Just when they were starting to put the Gladesville Ryde Magic ribbons on the trophy, Schofields conjured up an equalizer with just five minutes remaining.
Pinching possession in the middle of the park off a sloppy pass, the ball was punted towards the edge of the Gladesville Ryde Magic penalty area.
Magic custodian, Pat Ferrara, raced off his line, but was caught stranded in no man?s land, and Joshua Schumann got up to loop his header over the keeper and send the Scorpions players into raptures.
The match went into a nerve filled extra time period, and the Magic should?ve put the game to bed with two great chances in the first period.
On 97 minutes, Alistair McKie was put through down the left touchline, and he knocked over a superb left foot cross, only to see Russ Bream volley the ball wide from right in front.
Two minutes later and a swift one-two resulted in a Scorpions defender upending Gladesville substitute, Ibrahim Kerem, giving the referee no option but to award a spot kick.
Johnny Martinez stepped up, hitting his penalty to the keeper?s right, the ball deflecting up to hit the underside of the cross bar and bounce down on the goal line.
Martinez wheeled away in delight with a couple of team mates in hot pursuit, but Shane Johnson gobbled up the ball, and the referee waved play on.
In all the tension of an extra time period of a grand final, with the scores locked at 1-1, I must make mention of a fantastic passage of fair play in the 107th minute, three minutes from a penalty shootout.
With Gladesville in possession of the ball deep in the Schofields half, their striker, Russ Bream, collapsed to the ground with cramps near the edge of the box.
Without hesitation, Schofields? Jonathon McCrea provided assistance to his opponent, a wonderful show of sportsmanship in such a tense environment.
Gladesville coach, John McKie, gave all five of his substitutes a chance to taste the Grand Final atmosphere, but it was the final substitution, that of goalkeeper Anthony Giansante for Pat Ferrara in the final minute of extra time, that would have the biggest effect.
So it was to the dreaded penalty shootout after all, and both sets of fans held their breath to see it unfold.
Penalty Shootout Drama
Schofields were up first, and Zac Watters dispatched his spot kick low to the keeper?s right to put side 1-0 up.
Football can be cruel, and Aaron Khan, who had not put a foot wrong all day for Gladesville, put his kick slightly high and wide to give the Scorpions the ascendancy.
Goalscorer, Joshua Schumann, was next for Schofields, but he scuffed his shot, and Giansante made a rudimentary save to his right to put Magic back in the frame.
Alistair McKie was next in line, hitting his penalty high into the roof of the net for Gladesville, and we were all square once again.
Giansante then saved Schofields? third penalty from Reece Shiels, diving to his left to parry the shot.
Presented with a chance to give his side the lead, Stuart Turner didn?t disappoint, knocking his penalty in with aplomb to the keeper?s left, and it was 2-1 to Gladesville with three penalties gone.
When Jonathon McCrea skied his team?s fourth penalty, it looked doomed for Schofields, because a successful fourth kick from the Magic would give them the spoils.
Football seemingly always presents opportunities for redemption, but rarely do they present themselves within the very same match.
Johhny Martinez had the chance to win the game for Gladesville in extra time, but spurned a similar opportunity when Shane Johnson saved his spot kick.
Martinez chose the same side with his kick, the keeper?s right, but this time his shot low, and beat the keeper on its way into the net, causing pandemonium in the Gladesville camp with spectators and fans alike erupting with joy.
A heart wrenching way to decide a football match, but a great spectacle for the enthused spectators, and another trophy for Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Best for Schofields on the day were ; strikers Joshua Schumann and Zachary Watters tried hard all day to upset the Gladesville defence, chasing the play and working in pairs, until Schumann got his just reward with the late equalizer ; substitute Jonathon McCrea made a real impact with his entry on the hour, injecting himself down the left flank both defensively, tackling with energy, and in attack, with some great forays in support of the front two.
Best for the victors, Gladesville Ryde Magic ; central defender Aaron Khan was best on ground, strong in the air, perfect timing in the tackle, and remained calm and composed every time he was in possession ; skipper Scott Tonkin came into the match once he was switched into the centre of the park in the first half, always composed when in possession, accurate with his distribution, and set up his team?s solitary goal ; striker Russ Bream never stopped running, working tirelessly both to put the Schofields defence under pressure, and in providing options for his midfielders.
Match Stats
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC (0) 1 (Raines 49?)
SCHOFIELDS SCORPIONS (0) 1 (Schumann 85?)
Gladesville win 3-1 on penalties
Saturday, September11, at Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee ? Mr.Nathan Roberts
Assistant Referees ? Mr.Alex Goodhew & Mr.Dean Ward
Fourth Official ? Mr.Chris Peck
GLADESVILLE RYDE MAGIC: 20.Pat FERRARA (1.Anthony GIANSANTE 109?), 2.Ben KERR (9.Ibrahim KEREM 64?), 3.Andrew NOCK, 4.Johnny MARTINEZ, 5.Blake GAFFNEY (8.Anthon CAPIZZI 79?), 7.Scott TONKIN (capt), 18.Stuart RAINES (12.Sebouh JAMBAZIAN 57?), 10.Alistair MCKIE, 13.Russ BREAM (16.Garry PAVLIS 108?), 14.Stuart TURNER, 15.Aaron KHAN.
Subs not used ? NIL.
Yellow Cards ? 10.A.McKie 40?, 5.B.Gaffney 43?, 13.R.Bream 109?.
Red Cards ? NIL.
SCHOFIELDS SCORPIONS: 1.Shane JOHNSON, 2.Samuel BELCASTRO (11.Jonathon MCCREA 61?), 10.Joshua SCHUMANN, 13.Zachary WATTERS, 7.Prasheel SHARMA (8.Reece SHIELS 67?), 14.Nathan COOPER (12.Phillip STRATI 85?), 3.Benjamin CHARLES, 4.Lee ANTAKY (15.Aaron CALLER 78?), 9.Ethan SIMONE, 5.Daniel NEEDHAM, 6.Brendan RILEY (capt).
Subs not used- 17.Ian Johnson.
Yellow Cards- 7.P.Sharma 43?.
Red Cards- 9.E.Simone 43?.
-By Frank Speranza
