Super Youth League The Finals Series Round 1 Review
Granville Rage hosted the Elimination Semi Finals on Saturday and the Garside Park playing surface was in very good order, giving every team a chance to display their very best play. The hard working Granville committee pulled out all stops to ensure that everyone felt welcome and comfortable throughout the day.
On Sunday it was the turn of Mounties Wanderers to play host for the Preliminary Semi Finals and their superb facility gave every team the best chance of success.
Grade 13
Elimination Semi Final
Coming into this game it looked like it was always going to be tight as Dulwich Hill and Spirit FC had twice battled out 1-1 draws when they met during the competition and they had finished only one point apart on the final table for the season.
That proved to be very much the case as the match ebbed and flowed in equal measure. Dully found a goal through Benjamin Riach early in the match but Spirit continued to fight back as they went in search of an equaliser and they are worthy of high praise for their never-say-die approach.. In the final analysis, Dully probably had slightly the better to the game as they were able to bring out an absolutely outstanding performance from the Spirit goalkeeper.
Dully now will go on to play in the Minor Semi Final next Saturday while Spirit have bowed out of the finals series with their pride well and truly intact.
Preliminary Semi Final
Central Coast Mariners had produced a 3-0 win when they faced Macarthur Rams in the first round of the competition and then their second round clash ended in a scoreless draw. The Mariners had completed the competition four points ahead of the Rams.
This was a fascinating match as the teams threw everything they had into a fine exhibition of attacking play and while there was plenty of goalmouth action at both ends of the ground, an opening goal was not found before the interval. That added a good deal of tension to the second half play as the teams continued to show great attacking adventure.
Macarthur drew blood when J. Boutros found the back of the net and Central Coast promptly stepped the game up a gear to go in search of an equaliser. However, the Mariners ran out of time on this occasion and so they will play Dulwich Hill in the Minor Semi Final while the Rams will come up against Sydney University in the Major Semi Final.
Grade 14
Elimination Semi Final
The honours were even as Western NSW Mariners and Macarthur Rams waited for the first whistle of this week?s match. The Rams had claimed the first round points with a win by the odd goal in five and then Western squared the ledger in the second round when they were 4-0 winners. Western had finished the competition six points better off that the Rams.
In an action packed and very even first half Western made a breakthrough when Sam Head gave them a one goal advantage which they were able to carry through to the interval. However, in the second half the Rams stepped up a gear and that was rewarded with goals from Jordan Cracknell and Anthony Haddad. Western were never really out of the hunt but they were unable to make the most of the chances they had in this match.
Western have said farewell to the finals series but they can certainly hold their heads very high indeed while the Rams have progressed to Saturday?s Minor Semi Final.
Preliminary Semi Final
Central Coast Mariners came into this match with a psychological advantage as they had beaten Granville Rage twice, 2-0 and 3-0, when they met during the competition. In addition, Central Coast were eight points in advance of Granville on the final table for the season.
In a close fought first half both teams gave every indication that they were very determined to win this game and there was absolutely nothing between them, as confirmed by the 0-0 scoreline as they went to the break. The chances fell in equal measure at both ends of the ground and this time it was Granville who were able to make the most of their opportunities as G. Panayi and M. O?Neil both found the back of the net to give their team a 2-0 lead.
Try as they might, the Mariners were unable to breach the Rage defence to get back into the contest. Central Coast will now face Macarthur Rams in the Minor Semi Final while Granville will play Sydney University in the Major Semi Final.
Grade 15
Elimination Semi Final
The previous results had shown that there was not much between Mounties Wanderers and Fraser Park as the first round points had gone to the Wanderers with a 3-0 result while Fraser Park won the second round match 1-0 and there was only a single point between them on the final table.
The first half was chock-a-block full of nerve tingling action as the teams went at each other as if there would be no tomorrow, just as you would expect in a do-or-die match. There was absolutely nothing between them as shown by the half-time score of 1-1 courtesy of a strike from Wanderers? Michael Cklamovski to cancel out the opening goal from Fraser Park?s Liam Dos Reis.
In the second stanza the Wanderers found another gear as they began to dominate proceedings with a second goal from Cklamovski and a strike from Rajeh Awad giving them a 3-1 lead. Fraser Park consistently fought back and they may have been a bit unlucky in front of goal but it must be said that the Mounties defence was not about to give them even a millimetre of space.
Mounties Wanderers have moved into the Minor Semi Final while Fraser Park have completed their commitments to the finals series with their pride and dignity intact.
Preliminary Semi Final
Western NSW Mariners had lost their first round clash with Sydney University 2-1 but then Western squared the account with a 1-0 second round victory. On the final table these teams were only one point apart.
From the very first whistle it was clear that both teams had victory on their minds as they produced some very threatening attacking play to the absolute delight of everyone on the spectator areas. However, neither could make a first half breakthrough and so the scoreline was locked at 0-0 at the interval.
The second stanza produced many a heart-stopping moment at both ends of the ground but it was to be Uni who gained the upper hand thanks to strikes from Nick Makridopolos and Marcus Lazarevski and those two goals proved to be decisive.
Western now come up against Mounties Wanderers in the Minor Semi Final and Granville will play Central Coast Mariners in the Major Semi Final.
Grade 16
Elimination Semi Final
On paper this game looked as close as it could possibly be as Sydney University and Northern Tigers had fought out two draws in their previous meetings, 1-1 in the first round and 0-0 the second time around. They were separated by five points on the final competition table for the season.
The regular supporters would not have been at all surprised when this game served up more of the same as there was absolutely nothing between the teams throughout the first half. James Cain gave the Tigers the lead in the 24th minute but then that was cancelled out when Brandon White found the net for Uni only ten minutes later.
Try as they might, neither team could add to the scoreline in a thrill-a-minute second half despite many a heart-stopping moment in the respective goal-mouths. The match actually became a fascinating battle of wits as the teams tried to outdo each other with some excitingly creative play only to see their very best efforts thwarted at the very last moment.
Extra time was need to try to find a winner and the first period passed without an adjustment to the scoreboard and so it was all down to the second period. Just four minutes after the teams swapped ends Christopher McStay gave Uni the lead and they were able to hang on, despite the very best efforts of the entire Tigers team.
Sydney University have moved into the Minor Semi Final and Northern Tigers have bowed out of the finals series with a great many more fans for their adventurous and skilful display.
Preliminary Semi Final
Fraser Park came into this game with a psychological edge since they had won both matches against Spirit FC, 1-0 in the first round and then 2-0 when they faced off last time. Fraser Park also finished four points ahead of Spirit on the table.
The previous form meant nothing in this game as the teams produced a wonderful display of skilful and adventurous play which provided well in excess of a thrill a minute. Spirit had slightly the better of the early exchanges and they grabbed the lead after twelve minutes of play when B. Fisher provided a clinical finish. Gladesville were obviously buoyed by that breakthrough and Fisher was on hand just five minutes later to take the scoreline to 2-0.
At that stage Fraser Park really rolled up their sleeves and it was a case of ?game on? from that point forward. Neither team was prepared to give the other even a glimpse but that was countered by some stunningly creative attacking play that was simply breathtaking.
Despite a number of chances at both ends there was no addition to the score and so Spirit have advanced to the Major Semi Final where they will meet Central Coast Mariners while Fraser Park will come up against Sydney University in the Minor Semi Final.
Grade 18
Elimination Semi Final
Central Coast Mariners finished five points ahead of Fraser Park but the head-to-head results were a bit closer than that as the Mariners were 2-1 winners in the first round but then Fraser Park collected the second round results with a 2-1 result.
What a game this proved to be as the teams produced a scintillating display of positive, creative attacking football from the first whistle to the last. Wave after wave of attacks from both sides were superbly countered by well marshalled defences who were never going to give a millimetre to their opponents.
The penalty area action came thick and fast at both ends of the ground throughout the first half and Fraser Park were rewarded when an angled shot somehow eluded the best efforts of the Mariners? goalkeeper to find the back of the net and they were able to carry that advantage through to the break.
The second half was certainly not for the faint-hearted as the action came thick and fast in equal measure as the teams produced a fine display of skilful and committed football that was a delight to witness. Both teams should thank their goalkeepers as they produced exceptional exhibitions of their craft to continually deny their opponents.
In the end, that first half goal was enough to settle the issue and so Fraser Park have progressed to the Minor Semi Final but it was truly a shame to see Central Coast bow out as they gave their all to a wonderful game that will live long in the memory of all who were blessed to watch it.
Preliminary Semi Final
Western NSW Mariners and Northern Tigers had battled out a 1-1 first round draw but then the Tigers had bagged the second round points with a 2-1 success. On the final table these teams were separated only by goal difference.
This was a game for the purists as the teams went at each other with skill and passion combined with a very healthy dose of tactical awareness. Chances fell in equal measure but neither team could find a way to get the ball past the goalkeepers, both of whom were in great form.
The chances cam and went and so the teams went to the sheds locked up at 0-0. The battle continued after the resumption but it was clear that the intensity of play had been stepped un considerably. Once again, chances to score appeared in equal measure only to thwarted by determined defences and excellent goalkeeping. In the 69th minute the referee spotted an infringement and pointed to the penalty spot and Western?s Jacob Tratt converted to give his team the advantage.
The Tigers pulled out all stops in their attempts to find an equaliser only to be met with an even more determined defence. Eventually time ran out for the Tigers and they will now go into the Minor Semi Final where they will meet Fraser Park while Western will be up against Sydney University.
-By Barry Davis
