THE ROUND BALL BLOG: WBSA RESULTS Round 4

TEAM OF THE WEEK

GAMBIER CENTRALS ALL 5 GRADES

A CLEAN SWEEP OVER APOLLO AFTER BEING UNDERDOGS IN 4 GRADES

A GRADE

APOLLO 1 V GAMBIER CENTRALS 2

MILLICENT 2 V GAMBIER CITY SHARKS 2

BLUE LAKE 2 V IAC INTERNATIONAL 3

A GRADE MATCH REPORT

MILLICENT V GAMBIER CITY SHARKS

Sharks travelled to Millicent on Sunday, to face their opponents on Millicent United’s home ground.
Sharks still had several key players missing, Scott Murray (injured), Terry Stevenson (injured), Lance Da Rocha (injured), however welcomed back Sharks favourite ‘son’ Pramot Goldworthy.
Pramot has been absent from the game for the last 3 years due to his career as an apprentice chef @ Vanilla Bean, but was excited about playing again for the Sharks.
In 2006 Pramot was the Sharks U14 Coach, where some of his players then are now currently playing in the Senior team, including ‘young guns’ like Heath Widdison, Matthew Weistra, Jeremy Nunan, Craig Wright.
Pramot was thrilled to be playing alongside those Juniors that he coached back 3 years ago, and was definitely keen to do his best for the Sharks.
The game started in Sharks favour, within minutes of the game (2min).
The hardworking Matt Weistra, was found with plenty of room, and from 35 yds out with a ‘Ronaldo’ wonder strike gave no chance for the keeper to save, put the Sharks in front so early in the game.
Sharks were playing with extreme confidence, but this Millicent side (as Millicent does), does not give up, right until the final whistle.
The next goal (11min), saw Millicent bounce back very quickly ,with goal created by Millicent’s best player Matt Grgetic.
The Sharks continued to play an attacking style of play, creating many chances by Sharks midfield of Matt Weistra, Richie Marlow, Wayne Lennon, and Simon Minter.
John Stemberger and Josh Thomas kept the defenders on their feet, combining very well trying to break through the Millicent defence
The defensive team of Heath Widdison, Craig Wright, Jeremy Nunan and Pramot Goldsworthy, held very strong while Millicent tried also to find a way to the Sharks net.
Sharks had numerous amount of corners awarded, that they couldn’t manage to convert these type of opportunities.
The next goal came at the (21 min) mark, where again Sharks sharp shooter Lennon, was lining up for another free kick awarded to John Stemberger who was fouled 25m out from goal.
The Millicent defensive wall was set, however Lennon found away around the wall, striking it hard and low and curling the ball into bottom left hand corner of the goal.
The keeper managing to get fingertips to the ball ,but the ball had already crossed the goal line. Score 2-1.
The Sharks continued to move ball around well, however gave away easy possession by playing the ball in the air.
Gregtic was Millicents best chance of scoring, but Sharks young Heath Widdison was able to keep him quiet most of the game.
Talented Craig Wright occasionally would take off giving an extra option for Sharks to score another goal.
Wil Bytheway again was solid in goals, denying any chance of Millicent scoring.
Goldsworthy was adding a bit of magic, showing all what he really is capable of creating many chances, and steering the Sharks out of trouble.
At the (35 min) A deflection of a Sharks defender , making the score 2-2.
Play remained evenly between both sides until half time.
Half time substitution Damien Stemberger on for Simon Minter, came out firing, wanting to add to the Sharks tally.
Minutes into the second half, an opportunity, that could have seen the Sharks take the lead.
Damien Stemberger created a chance when he managed to get around a player, and again from 30yds out, hit another wonder strike that unfortunately hit the crossbar, denied Sharks the goal.
Sharks veteran Dino Gentile made his way for Richie Marlow, who was exhausted after a tough first half.
The Sharks could sense another goal , but could not convert there many chances.
The third substitute for Sharks Lance Da Rocha was bought on, in the hope he could produce something special, while Josh Thomas earning a well deserved rest from his efforts in the game, unlucky not to walk off with a goal.
15 mins to go, and both teams lifted a gear, and produced some good passages of play, but where constantly denied by the Keepers at each end.
The game finished in a draw which is still a good result, as 1 point is better than no points.
Credit to the referee Remi Pace, who officiated the game, in a manner that presented a good game of soccer which was enjoyed by both Clubs.
The game was played in very good spirit by both teams.

Next week the Sharks face Inter at Shark Park, with whats promising to be the biggest game for the Sharks this season.
A good result for the Sharks, would almost secure their Top 4 position.

A GRADE MATCH REPORT

BLUE LAKE V IAC INTERNATIONAL

In a game where Inter were determined to stay undefeated and the young Blue Lake side were determined to bounce back from an ordinary performance against Apollo the week before, the big crowd at Malseed Park were treated to a thriller.
Blue Lake with a full strength side took the field trying a different system with 5 in the midfield. Inter were taken by surprise with the endeavour of the Blues and were lucky to survive an early onslaught which saw Mitchell Thomson go one on one with Inter keeper Von Duve who pulled off a magnificent save. Moments later a mix up saw Thomson through again only to see his shot go wide. A third chance in quick succession once again saw a one on one with the keeper go over the bar. The Blues were on top at this stage and were extremely unlucky not to be in front. Inter steadied somewhat and started working into the game more and the efforts of the Branstone brothers and Armandi kept them at bay. The game turned somewhat when a dubious penalty decision allowed Morony to open the scoring. Things went from bad to worse for Blue Lake when a fierce ball into the penalty area bounced off of Blair Branstone and deflected into the net to give Inter a two nil lead which they kept until half time.

After a rev up from Dante Pepe at half time the Blues came out determined to get back into the game. They could have gotten back into it when Chatindiara had a good opportunity only to be denied by another fine save from Von Duve. Inter were starting to wear down the Blues bur were held at bay by dogged defence and fine goal keeping. The game was a battle of the midfield at this stage and all players although tiring were not about to give up. Another turning point was when a cross from the right hand side was seemingly blocked by Osmans hands but the appeals for a penalty were dismissed by the referee. Inter seemed to put the game beyond doubt when a lovely flick header by Cella put them 3 nil up. The game was hotting up at this stage and the yellow card was shown to Osman after an altercation with Davison. The Blues were spurned on and only dogged defence by Osman and new signing Redfern stopped the Blues. The game took another twist when some terrific one two passing ended up with Callum Ferguson calmly slotting passed Von Duve. 5 minutes later it was 3-2 when Ferguson again found the back of the net with a wonderful header. The last few minutes were frantic with both sides giving their all, however it was the boys from Cassadio Park who held on to keep their unbeaten record intact. To coin a phrase soccer was the real winner here in a game that was hard, fair, skilful and kept the crowd on their toes for the full ninety minutes

B GRADE

APOLLO 0 V GAMBIER CENTRALS 1

MILLICENT 2 V GAMBIER CITY SHARKS 1

UNDER 17

APOLLO 2 V GAMBIER CENTRALS 4

BLUE LAKE 4 V IAC INTERNATIONAL 2

UNDER 14

APOLLO 0 V GAMBIER CENTRALS 2

MILLICENT 0 V GAMBIER CITY SHARKS 1

BLUE LAKE 0 V IAC INTERNATIONAL 7

UNDER 12

APOLLO 1 V GAMBIER CENTRALS 7