Regional Youth League Grand Final Review

An amazing display of youth football was on display at Arlington Reserve on Saturday with the Grand Finals of the Football NSW Regional Youth League competition (u12-u15).
U12 – Sutherland Shire Football Association v Northbridge FC
This match set the scene for a terrific day of football with both teams showing skills that would have impressed any football enthusiast.  The match was tight all game and the match ended in normal time with neither team being able to secure the win.  The match went into extra time and again neither side was able to crack the defences and unfortunately the match was decided in a penalty shoot-out, with Sutherland Shire Football coming away with the victory 5-4.
Sutherland Shire Football 0 (5 pen)
Northbridge FC 0 (4 pen)
U13 – Western NSW Mariners v Riverina Rhinos
With the crowd still on a high from the first match of the day it was time for the boys from the country teams of Western NSW Mariners and Riverina Rhinos to take to the field. Many of the players from both teams are Football NSW Country State Team Representatives and their skill definitely showed through and entertained the crowd.  Riverina Rhinos were determined to show that they were just not in the competition to make up the numbers and some of the players from Western NSW Mariners were looking to go back to back.
In the end it was a solitary goal to Riverina Rhinos Dean Catanzariti to seal the first win for Riverina Rhinos.
Riverina Rhinos 1  (Dean Catanzariti)
Western NSW Mariners 0
U14 – Sutherland Shire Football Association v Riverina Rhinos
With both teams heading into this match as undefeated during the season this was going to an entertaining match and neither team disappointed.  The match going from end to end with a display of football that excited and entertained the spectators it was looking like the match was heading towards extra time.  In the last 5 minutes everything change, with a serious injury to Riverina Rhinos goalkeeper Lachlan Curran, Sutherland Shire were looking to press forward, however with time ticking away it was Riverina who came forward and in the final minutes of the match William Thompson slotted away the winner to ensure that the trip back to Riverina was a victorious one.
Riverina Rhinos 1  (William Thompson)
Sutherland Shire Football 0
U15 – Granville Rage v Southern Districts Football Association
This match opened at cracking pace, with Southern Districts Regis Shamon finding the back of the net within the first 5 minutes of the match.  Whilst this shocked the spectators, everyone then settled in for an entertaining game of football with neither team giving much away.  Granville Rage were able to hit back with 2 goals of their own before half time to ensure that we were in for an exciting conclusion to the day.  The players did not disappoint, however it was Granville Rage who were able to secure another goal of their own along with an own goal to secure the victory which was dedicated to Charlie Downing who unfortunately passed away from cancer before being able to take his place in the team at the start of the year.
Granville Rage 4 (Enez Karatas, Leonardo Soto, Rydon Stathos, own goal)
Southern Districts SFA 1 (Regis Shamon)