SUPER SAM: Sam Lane of U13 Glory put up a good fight. Pictures: Amanda Doig
MY BALL: Nicholas Gaman of U13s looks confident in the middle of the opposition.
Youth League: Vasse 1 v Margaret River United 2
AFTER last week’s forfeit, Margaret River had to play a competitive game for the first time in a month. Unfortunately the long layoff and players missing had a dramatic effect.Vasse deservedly took the lead when a fierce shot from outside the penalty area cannoned off the underside of the cross bar and over the line. It took a fantastic strike from Ethan Delatte to get back on level terms.
At half time there was some soul searching as to why they were unusually flat. The second half saw a more switched on United and a great finish by Jake Graebner-Bond ensured they took the lead. The rest of the game was a tense struggle with United earning three points. Next week the top two teams play each other in a potential title decider. The United players know they got away with this one and they will respond and show why they are top of the league.
–Paul Brown
15U: Busselton Thunder 0 v FMR Dragons 1
With both teams missing key players through illness this game was an arm wrestle, but Dragons had the better field position in the first half courtesy of a wind advantage. With a different system setup the Dragons benefited from a strong central defence of Josh Brown and Brendan Clark able to feed the ball out to our hard-working midfield of Braden Gray, Rory Stephenson, Riley Demunari and Jed Mattinson.
After several great opportunities Ryner Koster deceived the Thunder’s last line and had to be very accurate in front of goals to give the Dragons the lead.
The Thunder’s attack was well held by Jared Smirke, Connor White and Hamish White who were rotating roles in the outside backs. Jared was unlucky not to score late in the half. Tyron Bradshaw, who had a great first half in goals, also stood the posts for the second half. He calmly kept a clean sheet and one grab to keep out a free kick just inside the right post. With Josh and Brendan suffering injury and cramp it was up to Kai Graebner-Bond and Jack Kneebone to fill vital roles as the Thunder were pressing hard for an equaliser. A win was just what the Dragons needed to rise to the challenge of Premier League. Well done to both teams for a tough game played in the best spirit.
13U: FMR Glory 2 v Capel Wolves 9
Both teams got off to a flying start with early pressure from Glory’s Matt Doig. The intensity of the game lifted and a turnover saw Glory’s goals under attack. A brilliant save by birthday boy, Jykia River, thwarted the Wolves’ early attempt. Capel piled on the pressure and smart defence from Brenton Tebbutt and Callum Stevenson kept them at bay. Josh Lane fending off another attack had the Wolves on the back foot but the Wolf pack surged and scored. A well executed one two from Nick Gaman to Lucas Marrill saw Glory even the score. An unfortunate handball presented a penalty opportunity for the Wolves but some strong body work from Shaely Carboni caught them off guard and the shot went over the bar of the net. In the second half Capel slotted a goal in and Glory’s India Stanley, despite being bitten by a dog, pressured the Wolves into fumbling an own goal. The Wolves scored two more goals. Brenton Tebbutt was unlucky not to score. Despite running into both Sam and Josh Lane in defence, Capel scored. Donnie Longmore was unlucky not to up the score. A final surge from the Wolves had them deliver three howlers into the net. Glory congratulated their opponents and awards went to Jykia River and Matt Doig. Well done everyone.
–Rona Mirtle
13U Premiership League: FMR Waves 1 v Vasse Eagles 0
I knew this would be close, but the teams were locked in a scoreless draw right up to the final minute. Vasse edged the opening early stages, although Hudson Moore’s celebrations were abruptly ended with his goal ruled offside. Luke Harney had a good effort saved, but Vasse should have taken a lead into the break when a throw out from keeper Ethan Hamilton was intercepted by a Vasse forward. He pulled his shot wide, leaving the game scoreless at the break.
Vasse opened the half the stronger, but Eagle Boys player of the match Alister White rallied fellow defenders Jasper Seisun and Jasper Harvey, and Ethan made great saves.
Jye Halsall and Luke combined well down the right flank with the cross just eluding Ari Beddow on the far post, Winjana Knapp also losing a similar chance. With Tanah Howden-Woodland involved down the left and Jaz Kupfer-Hollis taking control of midfield, things were looking up. Janaya Beddow was having another fine game until she received a heavy blow to the face and had to leave.
The play of the match unfolded when Sam Leigh slipped the ball through to Luke. His shot hit the left upright ricocheting along the goal line, hitting the right hand post and out. Sam pounced onto the loose ball, beating the Vasse defender with a flick, goal. It maybe wasn’t a game for the purists, but you could not fault the passion and determination, well played all.
–Gary Leigh, coach
13U Championship League: FMR Raiders 3 v Dunsborough Raiders 8
With the bare 11 FMR were asked to just concentrate on how they play. FMR began with good structure, lovely passing and confidence on the ball. This set up the first goal with some nice switch of play, three passes and Caleb Smirke forcing the ball over the line with solid pressure on the backline and goalie.
However Dunsborough found gaps through midfield and defence to add two quick goals. FMR kept good structure, but Dunsborough added another goal from a solid strike into the top corner. Then with a breakaway from Finlay Brooke and Claudia Jakovich, the FMR players managed to draw a foul in the box and win a penalty. Donnie Longmore converted the spot kick to make it 3-2. Second half began better for Dunsborough with a fourth goal.
FMR replied through Finlay Brooke 4-3. With Dunsborough having three subs, FMR began to tire. Dunsborough added 4 more goals to run out winners 8-3, but could take nothing away from the FMR performance.
Eagle Boys Pizza Award went to Freya Lagan for her Captains game in midfield, Yallingup Maze Award went to Jykia River, selected by his teammates, for an outstanding effort in goals and putting his body on the line again. Special mention to Liam Mattinson and Angus Dowding for their work in defence and to all the FMR Raiders, keep it up.
–Andy Longmore
6U: FMR Happy Feet v Cornerstone Cubs
Travelling to Busselton with a limited team did not hamper the efforts of Happy Feet this week. The Cubs struggled against the always unstoppable defence of Bella Jeffs and Ryder Easton was unforgiving with his continuous attack for the ball. The team provided great passes to Oscar Dombroski allowing for more of his power kicks while Adam Leighton left the opposition behind with his fast pace across the field. Angus Sommerset used his impressive footwork with Sajer Yurisich’s set plays to find the goal from all over the field. However it was Ruby Best’s persistence that earned her player of the day. Great teamwork Happy Feet.
–Sara Walker
