MATCH REPORTS: 13-14 APRIL 2019
Round 2/6 AYL: CCU v. Southern Districts (13/4) & Macarther FA (14/4)
U13 5-0 Win
For the Saturday game in our double header weekend the CCU 13s started with a home game at Jubilee Oval against Southern Districts.
The 13s showed quite a dominate performance only giving the opposition two chances the entire game which Finn Palmquist saved comfortably. With it taking less than 5 minutes for Tirryn Daniels to score the first goal we continued to bang on the door but with no luck till the 21st minute with Riley Holt finding the back of the net. Riley Holt found the net again just before half time with CCU 13s heading in half time 3-0 up. Second half started with James Lee scoring within a minute and many more chances followed, the boys couldn’t quite find the back of the net despite the number of chances they had and it took till the 57th minute before Callum OConnor scored the final goal of the game with the 13s winning 5-0.
Coach Fitzy said "It is good to see the boys continue their run of form showing an attacking style that is great to watch".
U13 6-0 Win
For the Sunday game of the double header weekend the CCU 13s made the trip to Macarthur.
The 13s showed adaptability with players adjusting well from Saturday’s grassy surface to Sunday’s synthetic surface, with players trying out new positions and with the last-minute changes to the line-up as well.
CCU 13s showed great control on the game and never really looked like losing with some great attacking chances early it took 9 minutes for Luke Read to find the net, we then had Tahj Werner find the net in the 15th minute with a nice volley. Despite some quality chances it seemed like the goal was jinxed for some and it took some Jesse Mantell magic to score in the 23rd minute with Jesse beating 6 players whilst getting into the box for him only to then slot the ball home between the keepers legs and that was the last goal of the half with the 13s up 3-0.
The second half had Jesse Mantell at it again only taking a minute into the half to score his second of the match, we continued to mount pressure with Tirryn Daniels scoring in the 33rd minute and then Riley Holt scoring in the 38th minute. However, that would be all the goals for the 13s game despite some great chances they just couldn’t find the net again leaving the game as a 6-0 win to the CCU 13s.
Coach Fitzy was delighted and said "There were some really great moments out there today and I couldn’t believe my eyes with some of them, I thought they did well to adjust from the grass on Saturday to the synthetic today without it impacting the way they play".
U14 8-0 Win
With back to back wins CCU were looking to make it three in a row.
First few Minutes, not much communication with our boys and at the ten minute mark I thought the game was evenly poised, then we started to kick into gear with some nice build up from the back , our break came in the 15th minute, were our #10 picked up the ball , and played a nice through ball to Euan , who timed his run well and scored with a great finish.
Still looking threatening in attacking 3rd , there were 4-5 passes which lead to our second goal in the 23rd minute Ethan played a cross into Kaiden far post , and in she went 2-0 up.
Second half southern districts were a spent force with our constant attacks, the game ended up 8-0.
Coach Chris said “Our boys were too strong on the day and put in a great performance.”
U14 2-1 Loss
In the first few minutes we were looking positive pressing hard and winning the ball high, then the next 20 mins wasn’t great on our part, we turned balls over in dangerous areas and Zayd made several spectacular saves.
Eventually McArthur took the lead with the ball going in behind our back line.
Midway through the half Tahj played a great through ball to Debono who finished clinically in the back of the net and we finished the half on top.
Second half became a bit of an arm wrestle and Macarthur took the lead again.
Game on! We started to take control of the game with so many chances coming from the right flank and central areas, we hit the post, the crossbar, multiple one on ones with the keeper, shots flying wide, drama to the end, we deserved a better result dominating second half but couldn’t find an equaliser.
Coach Chris said “We were unlucky not get more from the game but plenty of learning opportunities for the future.”
U15 4-0 Win
No Pluim, no problem.
On a surface not too dissimilar to our Lisarow home, Southern Districts travelled North and no doubt enjoyed Jubilee as much as CCU did.
Bringing a new squad to 2018, SD started positive however Bailey, Ryan.R, Chase and PJ continued their dangerous form creating multiple clear chances.
The U15s ran away with the match in the first half with countless pinpoint killer passes from Kai, PJ and Ryan.R. The front 4 kept their feared forward runs constant throughout the match. Adding a new twist to their attack, Chas and Ryan.B finding new gaps and new runs on opposite sides.
Two U14s joined in on the match, Oliver debuting and Noah adding more minutes to his impressive season.
Coach Nathan Herbert said “A strong attacking performance and a deserved victory.”
U15 4-1 Win
Back to the pressure cooker Macarthur. Never a happy place to visit and yet always provides the tests needed for growth. The biggest test of 2019 comes through a second match in two days. Most players at 80% condition meant different skills were needed on the day, emotional control as the match began erupting, physical balance with the increased workload and full squad support to get through their second match.
Defensive cover was at a season high with Rhys, Byron and Oliver.W anticipating unstable moments and dropping accordingly.
U14s Xavier, Isaac and Ethan all adding their tallies of minutes in the U15s and playing a key role in improving the control and calmness needed late in matches.
Coach Nathan said “A strong tactical performance and effective game management to close out for the victory gives me confidence for the future.”
U16 3-0 Win
Our first double header for season 2019 would provide our AYL teams with a big challenge this weekend playing on two different surfaces in as many days.
On a warm Saturday we hosted Southern Districts at Jubilee oval where the 16s capped of the day with our 3rd victory from 4 games to a determined Southern Districts. The game was won in the first 15 minutes where Zac Pezzutto continued with his impressive goal tally and got his brace, finishing the first half 2-0.
Second half was very much like the first controlling the game but to Southern District’s credit they continued to fight hard but at the 66th minute Zac capped of another impressive hattrick to finish of the game with a 3-0 win.
Coach Steve Arbelo said “It was pleasing to see that we controlled the game showing patience in attack and a focus in defense. Special mention to Zac that hevis showing maturity, composure and accuracy in front of goal to end up with 8 goals from 4 games.”
U16 4-3 Loss
On another warm day we made the 2 hour trip to Macarthur to play on an impressive artificial field on Sunday. This game provided us with many different challenges as we had to chase the game for the entire 70 minutes. We never had the lead in this game which was purely due to loss of focus in crucial stages on the game.
We conceded an early goal against the run of play to a long ball counter attack, and minutes later 25th minute Luke Dargan equalized with a thunderous drive. However, 3 minutes after equalizing an unforced error gave Macarthur the lead once again and finish off the half 2-1 down.
Second half was played in the same way CCU trying to play football and our hosts opting for the direct approach. In one of our many raids on the 41st minute Luke Dargan with a pin point accuracy direct free kick scored the equalizer but again 5 minutes later we conceded another to again having to chase the game at 3-2. From that moment on we took control of the game again, having to put up with many substitutions and delaying tactics. Credit to our boys we found it on the 66th mute when our tireless Centre Back Peter Karipidis equalized 3-3 from one of our many corners, only to have a penalty awarded against us on the 70th minute, the controversial penalty was taken successfully and referee blew full time ending the game with a 4-3 loss.
Chope commented “There are positives in every type o game and/or outcomes in winning or losing, the positives in this instance where that although the boys played the day before, they never gave up, they continued chasing the game, having to play at times against frustrating antics keeping their cool and respect. I have no doubt that we will regroup and work harder for our next challenge.”
South Coast v CCU Senior Men’s State League
U18’s 7-3 Win
A long trip against a traditionally strong outfit had the 18s prepared for a tough match up. On a surface that really allowed us to play our possession-based brand of football we found ourselves in control, up 4-1 within 30 minutes of the game.
That lead didn’t last much longer as South Coast were relentless in their press and any mistakes made in our middle and defensive third were quickly pounced on and turned into a swift counterattack going into the sheds at half time at 4-3 almost letting the lead completely slip if it wasn’t for some last ditch saves from Pat in goals.
The half time chat really only entailed a reality check this week as we had seen that we could dominate this side but that we could also lose it to silly mistakes, one change due to injury and the boys hit the second half determined and scored their 5th goal early and not looking back, a clinical and dominant 2nd half performance saw us concede nothing and score another 2 to finish at 7-3 for the final score.
Coach Gomez mused “Overall our first half was a mixed bag with both incredible football played and simple mistakes being punished, the second half was an almost perfect performance however and if we can have that attitude from the start of any game this season we can be relentless and find success wherever we go, i am very proud of the boys taking the challenge at half time and showing the club what they are capable of when things get tough.”
U20’s 3-1 Win
The longest road trip of the year was made much more bearable with good facilities and a great surface for the boys to play on. Again this young side stepped up against a good opponent to play their best opening 45 minutes of the season. With the back 4 looking comfortable and playing out at every opportunity through Liam Broughton and Ethan Barrett, the boys were able to create some early opportunities. Jake Brownlow was doing a great job as the 9 and Cayleb Murray in an unaccustomed wide role were successful in getting behind the South Coast back four. The opening goal was scored by Murray with a good header after great build up play down the left side through Appo and Woodsy. Roles were reversed minutes later when good interchange down the right found Cayleb Murray who cut inside and played a great through ball for Mitch Woods to score with a finish inside the 6 yard box.
The focus at halftime was to continue playing the same way although being mindful of sometimes overplaying in areas of the field which could cause us problems if we were to turn possession over. Unfortunately, this was something that we continued to do throughout the second half. With South Coast playing higher up the boys struggled to play out from Ferragamo and on a few occasions created attacking opportunities for the opposition through poor decision making. With an injection of energy from Pete Stewart and Hazza Wills, the boys scored a third off a corner through team Captain Tyson Cosgrove. With the last kick of the game South Coast managed a consolation goal.
Coach Powell reflected “Although a great result the boys need to improve their game management and decision making in the opening third of the field at key times in a game.”
1st Grade 9-0 Win
A traditionally difficult road trip turned into the performance of the season so far from the first-grade boys. We always looked dangerous in transition and were able to attack with pace and width dragging the opposition defence into uncomfortable areas. For all of our forward threat it was set pieces that brought the goals, Yuki-san scoring his first for the club following in a McFarlane free kick. The skipper would double the lead from another freekick on the edge of the box, hammering in an unstoppable strike. Teenager Jarred Steen also scored his first senior goal with a great header from a Woodbine corner.
The fourth goal just after half time demoralized the opposition with a blend of youth and experience combining for a pure football goal. Yuki-san once again won possession in the middle third and released Steen who combined twice with Woodbine to have a simple finish into an open goal. Steen would get his second for the game forcing the goalkeeper into an error. The remainder off the half would see four more goals with skipper McFarlane getting his brace, Arbelo continuing his goal scoring streak and substitute Josh Schumann adding a double from the bench.
Coach Davis said “I felt a big performance brewing during the week and the boys didn’t disappoint. It was great to have contributions from all of the gameday squad. It’s still early in the season but South Coast is a tough away trip so to get a clean sweep from all 3 grades speaks volumes for the attitude of the players.”
