EA SPORTS Champion of Champions Match Reports
The 2013 EA SPORTS Champion of Champions came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday 20th of October at Blacktown Football Park in what was a wonderful day of Association football.
Below are individual match reports on each match that took place from each age group.
Grade 12s Girls
Baulkham Hills prove too strong for Parklea
Baulkham Hills coach Jeff Perry was a happy man as his Grade 12s Girls side proved too strong for their opponents Parklea SFC in a well-deserved 3-1 victory in their EA SPORTS Champion of Champions Final.
The star of the show fell to Baulkham Hills’ Tiana Perry who notched up a memorable hat-trick etching her name as a player to watch in seasons to come.
It was Parklea who started off the brighter of the two as Chloe Flanagan had the first real chance of the match with her resulting shot from an inswinging corner saved by Hills keeper Kaitlyn Salter in the second minute.
Six minutes later and the match had its first goal through Perry.
The talented footballer took the ball in her stride and struck beyond a despairing Natalie Robbie to give her side the lead.
Parklea pushed for an equaliser and almost got it in the 17th minute as Hayley Silver-Holmes had her shot saved by Salter.
Fresh from the half-time break it was Hills who took the initiative and Perry showed her ability from set pieces scoring a fantastic free-kick in the 27th minute.
Perry claimed her hat-trick in the 31st minute as Perry showed yet again her quality from set pieces with the game’s third.
Parklea grabbed a consolation goal from close range in the 35th minute via Flanagan but it was to be too little too late as Baulkham Hills were crowned Grade 12 EA SPORTS Champion of Champions.
Match Stats
Baulkham Hills 3
Parklea SFC 1
Parklea SFC: Natalie Robbie, Abigail Johnston, Tayla Wilde, Amber Cooper, Taliah Castillo, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Alexandra Reeves, Holly Holmes, Monique Buccini, Mikayla Garland, Ashley Calvar, Chloe Flanagan, Bella Laurence, Georgia Underwood
Coach – Darren Holmes
Coach – Jason Holmes
Manager – Kathy Cooper
Baulkham Hills: Kaitlyn Salter, Kyah Bedano, Kellie McDougall, Abbey Moloney, Jan Tecala, Sarah Farrell, Tiana Perry, Ellise Hayes, Taylah Woodward, Frances Bickham, Phoebe Bray, Aideen Keane, Emily Hensen, Brooke Weinert
Coach – Jeff Perry
Manager – Todd Woodward
Grade 12 Boys
Mt Pritchard crowned Champions in thriller
In the 12 Boys final, Mt Pritchard took on Harrington United in front of a healthy and fanatic crowd at Blacktown Football Park.
Mounties had most of the early exchanges in the game, pinning United into their half. United soaked up the early pressure and as the half wore on the nerves slowly started to settle down.
Mounties dominated the first half of the final but couldn’t find the back of the net after an inspired effort from United keeper Connor Evans to keep the scores locked at 0-0.
United picked up the pace in the second half and looked dangerous on the counter.
From Mounties, Jason Mansor and Michael Joseph were a threat every time they went forward.
Minutes before the end, Mounties had the chance to take a late lead. A foul in the box resulted in a penalty which Mansor stepped up to take. His penalty crashed against the post but Tam Hoang Nguyen was quickest to react as he smashed the ball into the back of the net.
The late goal was enough to see Mounties become the EA SPORTS Champions of Champions for the Boys Grade 12’s.
Match Stats
Mt Pritchard 1
Harrington United 0
Mt Pritchard: Robert Scarone, Omar Dib, Mark Esho, Tam Hoang Nguyen, Cameron Campisi, Domenico Martino, Anton Chanthavanheuang, Michael Joseph, Stevar Hana, Vincent Pirozzi, Jason Mansor, Michel Dokovic, Sebastian Cal, Anthony Catanzariti.
COACH – Ross Martino
Harrington United: Connor Evans, Brandon Lee, Cody Randall, Cody Slater, Noah Weaver, Jayden Jakab, Aaron Kelly, Ryan Sattler, Jack Edgington, Chala Etana, Craig Smith, Cooper Burton, Cameron Cadden, Liam Wright, Harrison Collins-Webb
COACH – Stuart Cadden
Grade 13 Boys
Second-half resurgence sees Broadmeadow Magic past North Epping in 13s Final
A clinical second-half comeback saw Broadmeadow Magic overturn a halftime deficit to come away with a hard fought 4-1 win over North Epping in the 13s grand final on Sunday morning.
North Epping were first out of the blocks and grabbed an early lead through Christian Borskjaer who ran onto Layton Hubble’s throughball to produce a composed finish past Max Mackerras.
The setback sprung Broadmeadow into life; notably Tim Razmovski looked lively with his pace as the Newcastle based club pressed forward in search of an equaliser.
Mackerras was called into action midway through the first half when he confidently held Sam Armson’s curled free kick as North Epping went about absorbing the increased pressure and playing on the break.
Matt Fogarty came off the bench to tee up Razmovski who saw his first chance of the match bravely blocked; his second chance was saved by Xavier Crowley late in the half before Isaac Smart saw the last chance of the half blocked.
A half-time kit change saw Broadmeadow switch from red to white to help differentiate themselves from North Epping’s orange; the switch seemed to work wonders as they piled on for second half goals.
It wasn’t all one way traffic though as Blake Bagnall’s last ditch challenge was needed to block Dylan Delina’s strike to keep his side in contention.
Luke Quaas fired wide from the edge of the box after stealing possession in attack after before Dylan Boznovski rose to head home the equaliser from Ares Gee’s corner soon after.
Within minutes the turnaround was completed as Fogarty combined with Razmovski once again to slide the striker through on goal; Razmovski outpaced his marker before burying a powerful strike high into the net.
Boznovski found the back of the net with a header again soon after only for his effort to be rightly disallowed for offside yet Broadmeadow continued their relentless attack and were soon rewarded as Razmovski ghosted in behind North Epping’s backline to sneak home his second and his side’s third of the morning.
Boznovski then put the icing on the cake late on as he caught Crowley off his line with a brilliant 30-yard strike that sealed his brace and rounded off the comeback for Broadmeadow.
Match Stats
North Epping 1
Broadmeadow Magic 4
North Epping: 1.Xavier Crowley; 2.Elie Browning, 3.Zac Cockerell, 4.Cameron Baikie, 6.Ethan Tegel, 7.James Brown, 8.Leyton Hubble, 9.Dylan De Lima, 10.Sam Armson, 16.Christian Borskjaer, 17.Dion Karapetian, 11.Jack Talty, 13.Thomas Steele
Broadmeadow Magic: 1.Max Mackerras; 2.Dylan Williams, 3.Will Steinerts, 4.Blake Bagnall, 5.Ben Frohlich, 6.Ares Gee, 8.Jensen Hunt, 9.Tim Razmovski, 10.Dylan Boznovski, 11.Luke Quaas, 12.Isaac Smart, 14.Matt Fogarty, 13.Hamish Gillies
Grade 14 Girls
Lindfield fighting spirit proves the difference
Lindfield Football Club came from behind to defeat Killarney Districts 3-1 in the Grade 14 Girls EA SPORTS Champion of Champions Grand Final.
After a fantastic start by Lindfield they shockingly went behind a goal in the 5th minute when Killarney’s Till Sultana buried the ball into the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble.
Four minutes later and Lindfield’s striking duo Taylor Leighton linked with Charlotte Patterson in the box with the latter shot going straight to the goalkeeper for an easy save.
In the 15th minute Patterson was at it again, this time beating her defender on the left before crossing for Sonia Faragher whose shot went over the bar.
As half time approached Lindfield had a fantastic chance to equalise as Patterson beat two defenders on the right before crossing to Sienna Young who was unable to get to the ball in time.
Killarney started the second half strong, passing the ball around trying to create a chance to finish the game early.
Four minutes into the half Killarney’s fans were on the edge of their seats when Tiahn Charlesworth’s free kick was cleared off the line by a Lindfield defender.
The missed chance came back to haunt Killarney when Lindfield equalised. After failing to clear a corner the ball rolled to midfielder Annabel Donaldson whose shot crept into the bottom left hand corner.
Seven minutes later and Lindfield had the lead in similar fashion. As Killarney goalkeeper Georgia Harrington dropped the ball Donaldson popped up again to chip the ball over the defence and into the net to give her side the lead.
The championship was secured in the 53rd minute when Faragher claimed a well-deserved goal . After a great counter attack Faragher go to the ball just before the advancing goalkeeper before watching the ball trickle into the net making it 3-1.
Match Stats
Killarney Districts 3
Lindfield 1
Killarney Districts: 1. Georgia Harrington, 2. Molly Jackson, 3. Brooke Mabey, 4. Brooke Stanbury, 5. Emily Fisher, 6. Jasmine Dillon, 7. Layla Evans, 8. Bree Dawson, 9. Sarah Milne, 10. Till Sultana, 11. Kayleigh Apps-Gale, 12. Olivia Hay, 13. Samantha Ackerley, 14. Tiahn Charlesworth, 15. Jocelyn Kelleher
Lindfield: 1. Gabrielle Craddock, 2. Brooke Wilson, 3. Sienna Young, 4. Lianne Merlo, 5. Amy Selig, 6. Taylor Leighton, 7. Scarlett Cheesman, 8. Danielle Katz, 9. Emma Dixon, 10. Charlotte Patterson, 11. Catherine Gatt, 12. Annabel Donaldson, 14. Sonia Faragher, 15. Hannah Turl, 16. Annabelle Nelson, 20. Nina Hay
Grade 14 Boys
AC United prove too good for Plumpton
AC United were crowned Grade 14 EA SPORTS Champion of Champions with a 4-1 victory over Plumpton Oakhurst.
The game started with the sides peppering each other in the opening minutes with no real action from either side.
United opened the scoring through Marvin Danha.
Cristian De Felicibus played a square ball to Danha whose deft touch eluded his mark and saw him go in one on with Plumpton keeper Tyler Barnes. Danha opened up his body and coolly placed the ball with the inside of his right foot into the bottom right corner.
One soon became two for United as a George El Zakhem corner was headed in by Michael Sargon. The ball slowly trickled over the line as Barnes could not get there in time.
Plumpton soon halved the deficit through Anthony Gale. A wonderful ball through by Anthony Naploitano found Gale. Gale sent a rocket toward goal giving the United keeper no chance as the ball hit the top of the net.
The referee brought an intriguing first half to a close as AC United held a tight 2-1 lead over Plumpton.
The second half was tight, with Plumpton pushing for an equaliser but not being able to find it.
AC made the points safe mid-way through the second half as Danha became provider. Danha took the ball in the box and squared it across for Renato Marando. Marando hit the ball across goal and found the back of the net for a 3-1 lead.
Nicholas Ippoliti then crossed toward Danha who made no mistake with the finish, grabbing his second of the game and extending the lead to 4-1.
Danha’s second was the final goal of the afternoon as AC United became Champions of Champions with a 4-1 win over Plumpton Oakhurst.
Match Stats
Plumpton Oakhurst 1
AC United 4
Plumpton Oakhurst: Tyler Barnes, Anthony Gale, Caleb Bayode, Tristan Morales, Shane Prasad, Dominic Mura, Griffin Jacobs, Anthony Napolitano, Jack Gerard, Joshua Gallard, Matthew Newman, Nivnesh Prasad, Alex Zambrano-Baloa, Matthew Cunningham-Jackson, Joshua Ross
COACH – Scott Jacobs
AC United: James Musson, Barseen Oshana, Marco Del Bel Belluz, Cristian De Felicibus, Marvin Danha, Nicholas Ippoliti, George El Zakhem, Michael Sargon, Julian Schembri, Dean Adrian, Renato Marando, Jordan D’ Alessandro, Christian Grugurinovic
COACH – Mario D’ Alessandro
Grade 15 Boys
Lions overcome Tigers in thrilling finale
The game began at frenetic pace and was to prove unsustainable in the ever growing hot conditions and no clear cut chances were produced by either team as they pushed and probed for openings through the midfield yet WPH Cherrybrook did open the scoring with their first effort of the match.
Andrew Zalunardo sent over a free-kick to the back stick from the right that was cut back in a crowded penalty area for Izaack Munos to side foot home in the 9’ minute and it could have been worse for Wakehurst when they almost gifted Michael Rawlin a second 4-minutes later but instead of placement he used power and the shot went wide with the goal begging.
It was all Cherrybrook by now with the Tigers dearly holding on as the pressure mounted against them however the Lions were unable to turn the screw by finding another finish during the half although they created plenty.
Zalunardo, very tricky with his free-kicks, scuffed a shot at the ‘keeper and then they had a goal disallowed.
Another free-kick from Zalunardo appeared to be over hit but started to dip viciously and looked to be sneaking in under the bar but the alert Gurinder Singh managed to palm the ball upward when quickly
back-peddling but Leo Lee was following in and headed the ball home only for the strike to be disallowed for offside.
It was a fortuitous let-off for Wakehurst as they hit the break just a single goal down.
The Lions started as they finished the first period when Jordan Schubert found the side netting with his effort before Wakehurst fought their way back into the tie with an equaliser ‘keeper Lachlan Berry could do little about when Scott Lockhart tried his luck from distance that took a deflection and totally wrong-footed the hapless ‘keeper and levelled the match once more.
Cherrybrook responded with a superb strike to regain the lead. Greg Beech slid the ball under Singh after being left hopelessly exposed to his right from what was a great build up play by Owen Guichelaar.
It was the straw that broke the Tiger’s back although they manfully left all they had on the pitch but it wasn’t to be their day as the Lions were just that little bit hungrier for the result on this occasion.
Match Stats
WPH Cherrybrook 2
Wakehurst 1
WPH Cherrybrook: 1.Lachlan Berry, 4.Alec Merhab, 5.Cody Rudd, 6.Cai Hughes, 7.Oliver Louw, 8.Scott Williams, 9.Greg Beech, 10.Andrew Zalunardo, 11.Michael Rawlin, 12.Braedy Milledge, 13.Leo Lee, 14.Jordan Schubert, 16. Owen Guichelaar, 17.Izaack Munoz
Coach: Cecil Louw & Stuart Zalunardo
Manager: Katherine Zalunardo
Wakehurst: 1.Gurinder Singh, 2.Samuel Lombardo, 3.Lewis Jones, 4.James Wood, 5.Jay Marnoch, 6.Jake Grover, 7.Cameron Lawrence, 8.Jake Springfield, 9.Jack McGinlay, 11.Jeremy Ord, 12.William Green, 13.Scott Lockhart, 14.Noah Cargill, 15.Isaac Arnold, 16.Max Domanski
Coach: Maurice Springfield
Manager: Mark Jones
Grade 16 Girls
Late winner sees Avalon past Colo in 16s Girls Final
A late Ella Smith goal proved decisive as Avalon snuck past Colo SFC to win the 16s Girls Final at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides took their time settling into their strides as the searing afternoon heat ensured the girls would have their work cut out for them this afternoon.
Tahlia Branch headed the first chance of match narrowly over the crossbar as Colo threatened early with measured crosses into the box.
Avalon looked to attack with pace as they tried to get in behind Colo’s high backline; Smith headed the ball on for Xanthe Shepherd who saw her chance closed down by Nikki Behrens who was quick off her line to spread her frame and block Shepherd’s route to goal.
Behrens bravery was almost undone by butterfingers soon after as the keeper spilt Brianna Ranieri’s cross however she was able to recover and recollect the ball before Avalon’s attack could close in.
With nothing to separate them the sides went into the break on level terms as they looked to regather themselves and hydrate ahead of another hot half of football.
Colo stepped up their attack after the restart with Courtney Hardy pulling out an audacious long range attempt as she intercepted Kira van Druten’s goal kick with a 40-yard first-time shot that dropped just wide of the near post.
Hardy sent Melinda Martin through on goal soon after with a defence-splitting pass only for van Druten to deny the striker as she was well positioned to make a comfortable save.
Emily McGain tried her luck at the other end minutes later with a curled strike from the edge of the box only to see her effort well held by Behrens who produced a confident save.
There was little the keeper could do when Lucinda Coleman’s brilliant 20-yard strike flashed past her soon after; only the crossbar denied Coleman as the ball bounced back into play and was scrambled behind by Colo’s backline.
Avalon went close once again from the resulting corner yet Shara Foster held her ground to clear the ball off the line at the far post.
With the clock quickly ticking toward the full time whistle Avalon broke forward once again, this time taking full advantage as Lara Simpson rounded Behrens before centring for Ella Smith who coolly tucked the ball inside the near post to seal the win for the Manly Warringah based side.
Match Stats
Colo SFC 0
Avalon 1
Colo SFC: 14.Nikki Behrens; 2.Brianna Ranieri, 3.Amelia Chesser, 5.Shara Foster, 6.Catherine Fyfe, 8.Olivia Fraser, 9.Courtney Hardy, 10.Tahlia Branch, 11.Loren Howarth, 12.Melinda Martin, 13.Ashley Rea, 7.Emma Hegarty, 15.Megan Wilkinson
Avalon: 1.Kira van Druten; 2.Eliza McEwan, 4.Lucinda Coleman, 5.Abbey Dunbar, 6.Gemma Frew, 7.Lara Simpson, 8.Darcie Bentham, 9.Ashleigh Hart, 10.Gabriella Dent, 13.Zoe Johnson, 16.Ella Smith, 3.Xanthe Shepherd, 11.Emily McGain, 12.Christie Brandt, 14.Anna McGrath
Grade 16 Boys
Hawks fly high in dominant display
Menai Hawks claimed the Grade 16s EA SPORTS Champion of Champions trophy in a dominant 3-0 win over Parklea.
A strong start by the Hawks saw them create their first chance in the 2nd minute when Jack Thorne won the ball before going through on goal only for his shot to be well saved by Parklea goalkeeper Dylan Mottram.
Against the runoff play in however Parklea could have taken the lead two minutes later when Tim Irwin was put through on goal only for Hawks goalkeeper Dylan Sutic to come off his line well and thwart the opportunity.
In the 15th minute Blake Barlow linked well with Thorne but the latter couldn’t control his shot as it went wide of the mark.
Three minutes later Parklea midfielder Alex Mooy attempted to get his side in front from distance but his half volley sailed over the bar.
On the stroke of half time Menai winger Reece Misso had two shots but could not break the deadlock.
Menai fans didn’t have to wait long for their team to open the scoring when captain Liam Sparke beat two players on the left before his shot hit the back of the net from a tight angle making it 1-0 in the 40th minute.
Only 6 minutes later Menai had the ball in the back of the net again. After a defensive mistake by Parklea Jack Thorne pounced, putting the ball in the bottom right hand corner to put his side 2 goals ahead.
Ten minutes later Parklea’s chances to salvage something from the match were dashed when Mooy was shown his second yellow card and sent from the field leaving his team with 10 players for the remainder of the match.
Menai created several chances and took advantage of the extra man with two minutes remaining. As Parklea again struggled to clear the ball from deep in their own half Matthew Downes was passed the ball before burying the ball into the bottom right hand corner to secure a 3-0 victory.
Match Stats
Parklea 0
Menai Hawks 3
Parklea: 1. Dylan Mottrain, 2. Matthews McCarthy, 3. Nathan Doyle, 4. Joshua Potter, 5. Mitch Green, 7. Harrison Gough, 8. Daniel Pesavento, 9. Liam Gillies, 10. Alex Mooy, 11. Tim Irwin, 13. Hayden Landels, 14. Lachlan Nixon, 16. Dean Erikson, 18. Aydin Akyol, 19. Jayden Brockway
Menai Hawks: 1. Dylan Sutic, 2. Liam Azzopardi, 3. Jacob Williams, 4. Nicholas Samios, 5. Christian Coccione, 6. Andrew Agius, 7. Jack Thorne, 8. Liam Sparke, 9. Salman Almeer, 10. Blake Barlow, 11. Rhys Brissett, 12. Frank Kalaitzis, 14. Matthew Downes, 15. Joshua Towell, 17. Luke Basic, 19. Reece Misson, 23. Jordan Coelho
Grade 17 Boys
Glenhaven severely tested by Eschol Park
Glenhaven etched out Eschol Park 2-1 to be crowned 2013 EA SPORTS Champion of Champions for the Grade 17 Boys.
It was virtually all Glenhaven in the opening stanza as the Wolves had to sustain prolonged pressure and should have found themselves behind in the 6’ minute as Jordan Coleman put his side in the lead.
In fairness they responded well and Jaidan Cachia tested Havens’ Liam Campbell between the sticks moments later and were unlucky when Sam Maksoud fired a speculative shot into a sea of bodies only for the rebound to come to him too fast to direct back on target that Campbell gratefully smothered.
Ben Matthews came into his own late in the half with a couple of good run and crosses down the right and a shot that was lashed well wide of the mark before Brandon Descorted had the final chance of the half when breaking through the Wolves’ midfield before suffering a rush of blood and blasting way wide of the upright.
Eschol Park found themselves going into the break all square but knew they had to up their game if they were going to be named Champions this day.
Anson Gilligan had their best opportunity but flashed an effort wide but by now the heat was becoming a telling factor.
Glenhaven upped the ante with Hayden Rosier attempting to chip Matthew Baker in the goal only to see the ‘keeper majestically rise to tip the ball on to the bar and out for a corner followed quickly by McComasky forcing an incredible full length save.
The break through duly arrived in the 74’ minute when McComaskey buried a shot from distance into the top right–hand corner to give Glenhaven a deserved lead.
The Wolves response was to go up the other end and restore parity almost immediately when Jaidan Cachia found the back of the net with merely seconds remaining.
Perhaps their thoughts were on sudden death extra time but it wasn’t to be as with almost the last kick of the game Joel Herzog curled a delightful free-kick up where the spiders live to the ‘keepers left to secure the title for Glenhaven..
Special mention of Havens’ Jordan Coleman who was outstanding throughout the game from his central defensive position when acting as sweeper and in getting up to support the attack on occasion.
Match Stats
Glenhaven 2
Eschol Park 1
Glenhaven: 1.Liam Campbell, 2.Daniel Anderson, 3.Lachlan Cash, 4.Jordan Coleman, 5.Ben Matthews, 6.Samuel Genovese, 7.Lachlan Holmes, 8.Brandon Descoterd, 9.Joel Herzog, 10.Daniel Stowe, 11.Hayden Rosier, 13.Chad Lumley, 14.Mitchell Vinton, 15.Damian Giardina, 16.Cameron Teale, 17.Mitchell McComasky
Coach: Wayne Cash & Keith Herzog
Manager: John Matthews
Eschol Park: 2.Daniel Kilpatrick, 3.Kieran Maddock, 4.Jaydan McKnight, 5.Anson Gilligan, 6.Jason Zeballos, 7.Tony Daoud, 8.Naman Chand, 9.Sam Maksoud, 10.Patrick Garcia, 11.Sam Inzitari, 12.Deon Mitrevski, 13.Lachlan Hutton, 14.Abishay Brij, 15.Jaidan Cachia, 22.Matthew Baker
Coach: Ronnie Petruccelli
Manager: Ashley Kilpatrick
Grade 18 Women
Gymea handed harsh second half lesson
Seaforth took home all the glory as they proved too strong for Gymea in what was a one sided affair as they defeated their counterparts seven goals to nil.
In a match that needed a water break in each half it was Seaforth who mastered the conditions the better although the eventual blow-out in the score-line was never evident in the first-half when a single goal near the near the end was that separated the sides even though it was Seaforth who became the more dominant in the battle of the beach’s.
It was even Steven’s in the opening 10-minutes before the Seaforth defence chased down a dead ball that bobbled around before Gymea ‘keeper Ellen Ryan was forced into a point blank save to keep her side in the match.
It wasn’t all one way traffic and for long periods Gymea held their own in the midfield and worked hard at the back to prevent any goals.
Gymea’s only real chance came in the 19’ minute when the diminutive Rachel Holland was unable to gain enough height to steer her header goal-ward from a corner.
Seaforth finally broke the deadlock late in the period when Abbey Cosh added the final touch with a glancing header on the line to give her side the lead at the break.
It was after the interval when it all unravelled for Gymea, visibly wilting in the conditions and incessant pressure so it came as no surprise when Lauren Rice doubled the lead with a long range shot.
Gymea were giving their all, fighting for everything but it was Seaforth who were winning the 50/50s and looked that little bit sharper on the day.
Kitty Dubourdieu added a third in the 55’ minute with another long range blast that managed to creep into the net and a fourth was slotted home by Kate Chiswell shortly after.
Ciara Harding was next try her luck but found Ryan well positioned to push the ball around the post however from the resulting corner it was Dubourdiieu who netted her second in two minutes and a fifth for Seaforth on the day.
Chanel Coombes forced a terrific save out of Hannah Griffiths between the Seaforth sticks followed quickly by Laine Palmer making the custodian work hard but it was too little too late as their opposition added two more through a brilliant solo running effort from Jessie Williams before Rice added her second of the match to round out the scoring at a lop sided 7-nil.
Gymea gave it everything they had in the heat but were found lacking on the day by a team that deserved their win.
Match Stats
Gymea United 0
Seaforth 7
Gymea United: 1.Ellen Ryan, 2.Natalia Glendon, 4.Ebony Lane, 5.Samantha Garrett, 6.Rachel Holland, 7.Maddison Molloy, 8.Hannah Lupton, 10.Ruby-Ann Hills, 11.Laine Palmer, 13.Jamie Hick, 16.Taylah Bishop, 17.Chanel Coombes, 18.Amelia Campbell, 20.Caitlan Oberg, 54.Aleisha Oberg
Coach: Craig Oberg
Manager: Cathy Molloy
Seaforth: 1.Simone Shearsby, 2.Phoebe Layden, 3.Jane Machart, 4.Katherine Chiswell, 5.Hannah Griffiths, 6.Madeleine Kilpatrick, 7.Isabella Rudolph, 8.Kitty Dubourdieu, 9.Lauren Rice, 10.Rochelle Sharpe, 11.Ciara Harding, 12.Abbey Cosh, 13.Sarah Hopkinson, 14.Alexandra Miller, 16.Jessie Williams, 17.Taylah Jones
Coach: Ashley Mathieson
Manager: Michelle Griffiths
Grade 18 Men
Wakehurst rise to lift Champions trophy
Wakehurst came from behind to defeat Maccabi Hakoah 4-2 in a tightly fought Grade 18 EA SPORTS Champion of Champions Grand Final.
Wakehurst sent an early warning sign to Maccabi when Aaron Brennan tested goalkeeper Jard Ellison with a shot from just outside the box.
They were unlucky to not take the lead on 11 minutes when James Booth’s shot was cleared off the line by Maccabi.
Four minutes later John Bushnell had a great chance to open the scoring when he pounced on a defensive mistake but could not get the ball past Ellison who came off his line well.
Bushnell had another two chances to score before he put his side in the lead in the 26th minute. After Taylor Cahill put the ball through the defensive line Bushnell chipped it over an advancing Ellison to make it 1-0.
The goal seemed to awaken Maccabi Hakoah as they brought the game back to 1-1 three minutes later. Catchign Wakehurst napping in defence, Ilan Kessler produced a thunderous left foot volley to bring the game level.
A minute before the break Maccabi took the leadin bizarre circumstances. After passing the ball back goalkeeper Tim Collins made a mistake with Aaron Jacobs on the spot to tap the ball into the net giving his side a 2-1 lead.
Three minutes into the second half Wakehurst were back in the game. Callum Lawrence delivered a great cross from wide on the left seeing Aaron Brennan rise well and head the ball off the post and into the net making it 2-2.
Wakehurst got the wind in their sails after the goal as James Booth and Taylor Cahill both shooting from a distance.
In the 57th minute Maccabi could have gotten back into the game after James Puterflam put Adam Golberg on goal only for him to touch the ball wide.
The missed chance proved costly when Wakehurst took the lead for the second time in the match on 73 minutes. Maccabi failed to clear a corner seeing Bushnell to step up again and claim his second for the day.
Wakehurst secured the result with five minutes remaining with Brennan placing the ball into the back of the net making it 4-2.
Match Stats
Wakehurst 4
Maccabi Hakoah 2
Wakehurst : 1. Tim Collins, 2. Matt Susko, 3. Max Bradley, 4. Josh Springfield, 5. Scot McElroy, 6. Nathan Duross, 7. Callum Lawrence, 8. James Neale, 9. Jonny Osborne, 10. Taylor Cahill, 11. Christos Terizis, 12. James Booth, 13. Michael Domjen, 14. Jacob O’Brien, 15. Aaron Brennan, 16. Josh Bushnell, 17. David Neale, 18. Liam Jewell
Maccabi Hakoah: 1. Jard Ellison, 2. Jared Engelman, 3. Dylan Felsher, 4. Ryan Miller, 5. Justin Malek, 6. Wesley Hamburger, 7. Ilan Kessler, 8. Bradley Karpin, 9. James Puterflam, 10. Toby Shabtay, 11. Michael Seef, 12. Aaron Jacobs, 15. Joshua Orly, 14. Adam Golberg, 17. Joshua Gordon, 19. Binyomin Maynard, 20. Harry Rosen
Grade 21 Women
Como-West Jannali secure deserved win
A second-half blitz added to a fifth minute goal was enough to see off a determined Gladesville Ravens as Como-West Jannali battled the intense heat better at Blacktown Football Park to become the EA SPORTS Champions of Champions 21 Womens.
It was the Ravens who started the game the brighter when opening up Como in only the 4’ minute with Matilda Vaughan firing narrowly wide and less than a minute later forcing ‘keeper Lauren Militich into a fine save.
However, after the initial onslaught Como hit on the counter and after a goalmouth scramble it was Cherie Stewart who managed to prod the ball home to open the scoring and the Ravens could have, perhaps, equalised in the same minute when Georgia Brown hit a dashing effort straight at Militich to gather from good work by ‘Tilly’ Vaughan who was proving a real handful in the early stages.
Another chance went begging for Gladesville when Stepahnie Seaman won the ball in midfield an slipped Vaughan through once more in the 12’ minute that required great reactions from Militich in coming to the rescue for Como.
Toward the end of the half and it was Vaughan again who powered off on a run toward goal leaving all in her wake only to scuff the ball on the uneven surface that didn’t trouble the score board and, it has to be said, found Ravens unjustly behind at the break.
It all changed after the interval when Cherie Stewart set up Elizabeth Grey inside 60-seconds of the half to increase the lead from the kick-off.
Gladesville fought back hard and received scant reward when Vaughan finally found the back of the net in the 65’ minute after a poor defensive slip in the Como ranks after sustained Ravens pressure.
Come had to overcome increasing attacks as Gladesville sought parity but they left themselves open to the counter and were finally caught out in the 86’ minute Deborah Stewart rounded off the scoring for the math and added Como’s third of the morning to finally put the match to bed.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 1
Como-West Jannali 3
Gladesville Ravens: 1.Deniz Yuzguc, 2.Claire Fameli, 3.Madeline Morgan, 4.Georgia Brown, 5.Alexandra Falzon, 6.Ellen Schiffler, 7.Caitlan Wood, 8.Celeste Loyzaga, 9.Rosie Bisset, 10.Kathryn Ramsay, 11.Stephanie Seaman, 12.Jessica Weston, 13.Winona Enright, 15.Rachel Shore, 20.Matilda Vaughant
Coach: Shane Bissett & Nick Seaman
Manager: Margaret Ramsay
Como-West Jannali: 1.Lauren Miletich, 2.Alexandra Brown, 3.Georgia Quin, 4.Elizabeth Grey, 5.Holly Hudson, 6.Cherie Stewart, 8.Lauren Murfitt, 9.Deborah Stewart, 10.Melissa McStay, 11.Shelley Quirk, 12.Kaila Morphett, 13.Ashleigh Bath, 14.Rebecca Windmill, 16.Bernice Lethlean
Coach: Jeff Stewart
Ast. Coach: Steve Lethlean
Manager: Garth & Di Quin
Grade 21 Men
Lilli Pilli makes it three-in-a-row after snaring Men’s Under 21s title
A dominating six-goal second-half performance by the Lilli Pilli Men’s Grade 21s side has ensured that the team has now collectively snared three-straight Champion of Champions titles following a 7-0 drubbing against Glenmore Park on Sunday.
Claiming the title as 18-year-olds back in 2011 and retaining their Under 21’s trophy that they won last year, the Lilli Pilli side out-muscled their younger and less experienced opponents from Glenmore Park with star striker Christopher Boland netting a hat-trick.
Full credit though to Glenmore Park who, despite a number of first-half opportunities, held their more fancied opponents to just a 1-0 lead at the break courtesy of a late goal to Lilli Pilli’s Sam King in the 43’ minute following a neat free-kick from teammate Alex Lane.
However, any chance of an upset victory disappeared early in the second-half when stand-in Glenmore Park goalkeeper Nathan Clarke was deemed to have brought down Boland in the box. Despite the misdemeanor and subsequent conversion from the spot by Boland, Clarke was brilliant in goal all game long and kept his side in the contest for much of the first 50’ minutes.
Boland’s second and third goals came in the 54’ and 70’ minutes following some great lead-up work from his teammates which effectively ended any chance of a comeback from Glenmore Park.
An 82’ minute own goal conceded by Glenmore Park skipped the score out to 6-0 and their day went from bad to worse immediately after the goal when Zac Townsend was given his marching orders following a second yellow card.
The seventh and final goal of the match came from Lilli Pilli’s own end when substitute goalkeeper Nathan Stojanovic cleared the ball deep into Glenmore Park’s half to link with an alert Jay Woods who beat his tiring opponents to the ball and landed a left-foot screamer into the back of the net.
Match Stats
Lilli Pilli 7
Glenmore Park 0
Lilli Pilli: 1.Scott Richardson; 2.Harrison Farmer, 5. Christopher Boland, 6.Mitchell Parker, 7.Nathan Stojanovic, 8.Keegan Moore, 9.Dylan Turner, 10.Ned Stelzer, 12.Jay Woods, 14.Alex Lane, 16.Dale Cross, 25.Redah Hassan, 26.Jai Mellor, 27.Sam King, 33.Joshua Bogg, 54.Todd Stuart
Glenmore Park: 1.Nathan Clarke; 2.Blake Townsend, 3.Harsha Ediriweera, 4.Tim Russell, 5.Zac Townsend, 6.Arick Deschamps, 7.Brett Stephens, 8.Brandon Carley, 9.Cameron Macsok, 10.Damian Mason, 11.Andrew Bedrossian, 12.Thomas Higgins, 13.Joshua Maude, 14.Gordon D’Mello, 15.Danyon Carley, 16.Aaron Carle
All Age Women
Albion Park too sharp for Colo SFC
Albion Park is the new All Age Women’s Champions of Champions winners beating Colo SFC at Blacktown Football Park in an exciting encounter.
It was an impressive performance from the South Coast based side with the win adding to their 2013 State Cup title.
Both sides got off to an exciting start to the match showing plenty of attacking intent right from the opening whistle.
Trading early counter attacks, Colo and Albion Park were forced to do plenty of running as the action went from end to end.
A feature of the first half was Albion Park central Defender Brittany Ring.
The skilful number 12 continually terrorised the Colo midfield with her marauding runs from the back creating a number of chances for her teammates.
Fittingly it was Ring who created the first goal of the game in the 40th minute.
Collecting the ball on the edge of her 18 yard box, Ring powered forward beating three players before providing an assist for Jaylene Cusack to blast into the back of the net.
Taking a 1-0 lead into the break, Albion Park continued to improve in the second stanza despite solid opposition from Colo.
State Cup Champions, Albion Park capitalised on its great field position making it 2-0 after 60 minutes when a Cusack cross was coolly put away by Shakiah Tungai.
Tungai doubled her tally in the 75th minute tapping home from close range to make it 3-0.
Colo did everything they could to force a late come back, however it wasn’t enough with the fulltime whistle cementing Albion Park’s 3-0 win.
Match Stats
Albion Park 3
Colo SFC 0
Albion Park: 1.Kendall Vaughn, 2. Kelly Draper, 4. Natalie Munilla, 5. Nicole McCracken, 6. Jaylene Cusack, 7. Shakiah Tungai, 8. Brooke Shay, , 10. Tenaya Davis, 11. Linda Hillard, 12. Brittany Ring, 13. Jessica Hanly, 15. Liandra Gayramangu, 16. Courtney Greathead, 17. Natalie Carbone, 18. Elyse Vlietdtra.
Colo SFC: 1. Laura Hartley, 2. Jordan Chapman, 3. Emma Prunty, 4. Naomi Stalenberg, 5. Emily Telling, 6. Kristy Mills, 7. Lorelle Claravall, 8. Toni Grogan, 9. Brooke Farmer, 10. Sabina Brown, 11. Courtney Hogg, 12. Samantha Stalenberg, 13. Rebecca Cartwright, 14. Aili Pank, 15. Courtney Stedman.
All Age Men
Lindfield out muscle Killarney for All Age Men title
It was tough, physical and rarely free flowing performance but for newly crowned EA Sports Champion of Champions All Age Men’s winner Lindfield FC it hardly matters.
The Northern Suburbs Association side delivered a tireless effort to steal a 1-0 victory against Killarney Districts in Sunday’s tournament final at Blacktown Football Park.
Hard running and plenty of tough graft was the primary theme of the match with the battle for midfield a stoush neither side truly dominated for long stretches.
The game began at a frenetic pace with both sides looking to test their oppostion early.
For Lindfield it proved to be a decision which would ultimatley decide the match.
A counter attack against the run of play putting the Brendan Dalton coached side in prime position.
Josh Ciabatti’s surprise long range shot from 25 yards out hit the top left corner of the net with force after only eight minutes to give Lindfield a 1-0 advantage.
The goal would prove to be a rare moment of excitement with the match becoming an arm wrestle in midfield.
The second half was not much different with neither side doing enough to create any clear cut chances when the teams returned to the field following the interval.
the grinding style of the game began to take its toll with frustations coming to a head midway through the second half with three players shown yellow cards for questionable tackles.
Killarney must have felt it was not their day with any good play offset by a loose pass or player caught offside.
The side from the Central Coast threw everything on the line for an equaliser as the referee’s watch edged closer to full time but once again the lack of a telling final ball proved to be their undoing.
After giving it everything for 90 minutes the sound of the full time whistle delivered pure ecstasty for Lindfield as the side’s efforts on the day and throughout a long year brought home the season’s biggest prize.
Match Stats
Lindfield FC 1
Killarney Districts 0
Killarney Districts: 1. Declan Drake, 2. Scott Briggs, 3. Jamie Young, 4. Chris Archer, 5. Blake Horman, 6. Dean Blenheim, 7. Matthew Hall, 8. Blake Silvers, 9. Nathan Byrn, 10. Timothy Knight, 11. Matthew Lawrence, 12. Jared Reed, 13. Ryan Moore, 14. Christopher Knight, 15. Brent Rogers, 16. Keenan McPhail, 17.Casey Targett, 19. Andrew Sheldon.
Lindfield FC: 1. Patrick Higgins, 2. Jack McLean, 4. Jack Richardson, 5. Edward Ferguson, 8. Mitchell Starkey, 9. Scott Ryan, 10. Daniel Hurwitz, 13. Vincent Oxenham, 15. Jack Healy, 17. Tom Goulding, 21. Gerard Marino, 23. Aymeric Grant, 27. Taro Konno, 28. Lincoln Davis, 30. Justin Ciabatti, 31. Joshua Ciabatti, 32. Matthew Ventura, 33. Simon Scougall.
Over 30 Women
Gladesville Ravens back again as Over 30s Women’s Champions
It’s been a four-year hiatus, but Gladesville Ravens are once again the EA SPORTS Champion of Champions in the Over 30 Women’s division following a 3-1 victory over a gallant Tarrawanna in sweltering conditions.
Despite playing in every Champion of Champions tournament since their last title in 2009, Gladesville Ravens were determined not to let this one slip away and they came out with all guns blazing, but perhaps none were more determined than forward Amy Carr.
Carr’s energy in the opening quarter of the game was inspirational as she scored her first of three first-half goals in only the 2’ minute after drawing the opposition goalkeeper Jennifer Shipp out to the edge of her box before Carr neatly chipped the ball over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net to open her side’s account.
Just five minutes later Carr was at it again after brilliant midfielder Margaret Bass provided a perfect pass to Carr out on the left where she made no mistake in securing her second goal with just 7’ minutes on the clock elapsed.
Tarrawanna responded and almost got one back in the 17’ minute when a shot from Julie-Ann Norris clipped the under-side of the crossbar to agonisingly fall back into the field of play rather than the back of the net.
In the 23’ minute Carr completed her hat-trick after teammate Kelly Duncan came close to scoring only to be denied by a goal-saving clearance by keeper Shipp whose desperate clearing kick landed at the feet of Carr who slammed home a long-range shot to extend her side’s lead by three goals where the advantage remained as the sides headed to a much-deserved halftime break.
The second-half proved to be that of a gutsy one by the depleted Tarrawanna outfit who, despite starting the game with no substitutes due to a spate of season-ending injuries, refused to back down and eventually gained the ascendancy.
A glimmer of hope appeared in the 60’ minute for the South Coast-based side when a sublime left-foot volley from Tracey Bird just outside the box found the opposition’s net to bring the score back to 3-1, but time and exhaustion eventually took its toll in the oppressive conditions and the score remained unchanged when the final whistle blew.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 3
Tarrawanna 1
Gladesville Ravens: 1.Christine Rudge; 2.Michelle Heffernan, 3.Sandy Killick, 4.Kelly Duncan, 5.Bianca Kringas, 6.Gillian Green, 8.Alison Kerry, 10.Vee Moustakas, 11.Jo-Anne Plug, 12.Sharon Baker, 13.Kathryn Person, 15.Suzanne Hardaker, 16.Lisa Wollaston, 17.Margaret Bass, 19.Amy Carr
Tarrawanna: 1 Jennifer Shipp; 4.Tracey Bird, 6.Julie-Ann Norris, 8.Alison Smith, 9.Kiri Anderson, 12.Sophie Mpimperias, 13.Deborah Wilson, 14.Julie Ward, 16.Jacqueline Kearton, 18.Belinda Barter, 19.Megan Monkley
Over 35 Men
Kellyville down Southern Ettalong to claim Over 35s Title
Kellyville worked their socks off to earn themselves a 2-1 victory over Southern Ettalong to secure the Over 35s Mens Final on Sunday afternoon.
Southern Ettalong started brightly as Craig Rogers played a smart one-two with Gavin Drennan to get himself through on goal only to be denied by Anthony Thompson who did well to track back and pressure Drennan off the ball.
Kellyville took time to gather their momentum and were gifted a chance midway through the first half when Dariano De Zotti intercepted a weak pass in defence before firing straight at Brett Hodgekiss in Southern Ettalong’s goal.
They went closer on the half hour mark when De Zotti turned his marker before crossing for Nathan McKeiran; while McKeiran’s finish was blocked the rebound fell to Trevor Atkins who came within inches of opening the scoring as he saw his effort strike the crossbar and bounce clear.
Kellyville finally found the opener soon after when De Zotti fed Daniel Negro who fired inside the near post to break the deadlock.
The least was short lived when Peter Staines slid Drennan through on goal; while his heavy touch past the keeper looked to have seen his chance slip the striker recovered to hold up the ball before turning inside the oncoming defenders and belt the ball home from a narrow angle.
The sides went into the break on level terms yet Kellyville did not have to wait long to restore their advantage as Greg Buchanan put them back in front with a left-footed 25-yard screamer that rocketed inside the far post.
Negro came close to doubling their advantage soon after with a lobbed effort that struck the crossbar before Glenn Fewell headed a free kick straight at the keeper.
While Southern Ettalong laboured in search of an equaliser it was Kellyville who continued to look the more likely to score as De Zotti again slipped in behind his opponent’s backline only for Hodgekiss to dart off his line and steal the ball from the striker’s feet.
Drennan came close to finding a late equaliser as his powerful late free kick drew a brilliant save from Adam Nolan yet it was not to be for the Central Coast based side as Kellyville held on for a well-deserved victory.
Match Stats
Southern Ettalong 1
Kellyville 2
Southern Ettalong: 1.Brett Hodgekiss; 2,Chris Caller, 3.Andrew Lennon, 4.Brett Millwood, 5.Murray Bale, 6.Dave Brett, 7.Craig Rogers, 8.Jon Fleming, 9.Gavin Drennan, 10.Matthew Thurley, 11.Milton Watts, 12.Peter Staines, 13.Lee Stone, 14.Anthony Wakefield, 15.Dylan Garry, 16.Matthew Sheppard
Kellyville: 1.Adam Nolan; 2,Glenn Fewell, 3.Damien Foxe, 5.Richard O’Brien, 7.Greg Buchanan, 8.Anthony Thompson, 9.Nathan McKeiran, 10.Dariano De Zotti, 11.Trevor Atkins, 13.Aleksander Romic, 14.Vjekslav Trubajic, 15.Gary Stone, 16.Brad Coombes, 18.Daniel Negro, 20.Chris Minol, 21.Adam Hendry, 22.Jeremy Foxe
Over 45 Men
Cronulla RSL down Epping YMCA in the Over 45 Mens
Cronulla RSL has recorded a comprehensive 5-1 win over Epping YMCA in the Over 45 Mens EA Sports Champion of Champions Grand Final at Blacktown Football Park.
Having formed as a team way back in late 1993 under the guidance of veteran Cronulla RSL stalwart Graham Tappin, the Sutherland Shire-based side celebrated their 20th anniversary together in fine style as they dominated much of the possession throughout the encounter.
Both teams were evenly matched during the opening exchanges and it wasn’t until a shot from RSL’s Gregory Watkins in the 19’ minute rebounded off the post and onto the back of an opposing player’s head, before ricocheting into the back of the net, that the deadlock was broken.
Another RSL goal just seven minutes later had Epping YMCA reeling after the hard-working Derek Mason neatly chipped the keeper to double the lead in the 26’ minute.
Epping YMCA had a number of opportunities of their own to claw their way back into the game and could have pegged one back after a brilliant shot by the energetic David Candy was only denied by a brilliant save by RSL keeper Dennis Orlic.
However, any chance of a comeback was seemingly snuffed out when RSL forward Mark Asplet slotted home a nice goal in the 37’ minute following a perfect cross from the right side by teammate Gary Fordham that saw the men from ‘The Shire’ take a handy three goal advantage into the break.
The second-half saw a revitalised Epping YMCA take the field and their enthusiasm almost paid off when a scuffle inside the RSL box resulted in a penalty awarded to the Epping-based side. Luck however didn’t appear to be on their side though, as the resultant penalty shot slammed into the post and bounced innocuously out of harm’s way.
The scare was enough to jolt RSL into action where they resorted back to their proven controlled possession game, and the approach paid dividends in the 52’ minute courtesy of a Stef Janic goal in what was an all-round star-studded Man-of-the-Match performance by the RSL striker.
A consolation goal in the 69’ minute by Epping YMCA’s Fraser Foristal after some nice lead up work by teammate Ian Richards was a just reward for the hard-working side, but a fifth and final goal in the 72’ minute to Pedro Ricoy ensured that it would be a day to remember for the Cronulla RSL side.
Match Stats
Cronulla RSL 5
Epping YMCA 1
Cronulla RSL: 1.Dennis Orlic, 2.Grant Perry, 4.Steve Kelly, 5.Graham Tappin, 6.Derek Mason, 7.Gregory Watkins, 8.Mark Harrington, 9.Gary Fordham, 10.Pedro Ricoy, 14.Darryl Sharp, 16.Ronny Gogic 23.Mark Asplet, 47.Chris Blair, 58.Stephen McDonald, 98.Stefan Janic
Epping YMCA: 1.Bill Lezes; 3.Peter Raptis, 4.Tim Andersen, 5.Jim Grenenger, 6.Anthony Dyer, 7.David Candy, 8.Tony Dwyer, 9.Ian Richards, 10.Fraser Foristal, 11.Geoff Illingworth, 13.Roy Agostino, 14.James Malins, 15.Andrew Price, 16.Michael Mavin, 17.Nick Bessis, 18.Don Brown
To view official photos of the day click here
