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MR United 2 def Busselton United 0
Margaret River United eagerly anticipated this show-down with the only team that has beaten them this season, however absences to seven key players and injury to three (including Jake Graebner-Bond, the keeper) made the game plan difficult to organise. It was decided to play a 5-4-1 with Mehdi Balkhi the lone striker, supported by Benjamin Smith and Dylan Johnson-Swainston on the wings. The focus was to neutralise Busselton’s midfield. Sam Connell and Henry Rogers did a fabulous job of this.
The game started frantic on this cool but dry Saturday morning. Balls were kicked all around the places and it took the teams some time to find a rhythm. Margaret River had the better of the first ten minutes, but Busselton kept pushing and hit the upright in the 13th minute. Busselton then pushed strongly; however the home team began to settle down towards the end of the first half, now enjoying great possession and control.
Unmarked Benjamin Smith hit the ball over the crossbar in the 28th minute after a precise Mehdi corner. In the 32nd minute a quick passing sequence saw Margaret River taking the lead. The ball was played by sweeper Mat Kevill to Sam Connell. He flanked to Mehdi Blkhi, who outran his marker. Mishka Marzohl darted forwards and booted the ball into the back of the net after an accurate through ball by Mehdi. A clever and stunning goal!
Vasse (3) defeat Australind (0)
This was a tough game in windy conditions. The score doesn’t do Australind justice as they played a solid and consistent game.
Australind had the wind in the first half and made good use early of their fast forward line. Vasse countered by bolstering the midfield to control the ball flow, and eventually managed to get through the strong Australind defense to grab a goal by Luka Cluff and go 1 up by half time.
The 2nd half saw Vasse grab 2 extra goals to Brad Bornatici and Shea Hayley, but Australind were not without chances and really put the Vase goalie and defenders under pressure. The Vasse goalie stood firm and combined well with the 2 central defenders Scott Duncan and Dylan McGreggor. Connor Poleykett played an outstanding game and made some spectacular saves that won him the best player award from the coach.
Well done to both teams. It was a tough game played in good spirit.
Margaret River United 1 v Vasse Falcons 2
What can you say about this game which had everything from start to finish.
The last time these two teams met it was a close game and this game was exactly the same as both teams had spells in which they dominated, the tackling was ferocious and the speed and skill of the game was at a very high level.
Margaret River took the lead against the league leaders midway through the first half from a well taken goal by Jake Cockin which was his first ever goal in soccer , this was well deserved as Joel Fraser in the Vasse goal made some great saves to keep the United team out.
Then the game was turned on its head as Jayden Stammers and a Vasse player attacked the ball in midfield both players refusing to back out which resulted in Jayden being carried off the pitch, which was later to be confirmed that he had broken his leg!
VASSE 2 def M.R. 1
Heading down to Margaret River is always a tough task and today was no exception. Both sides were going at it hard early with M.R. settling the best and playing a better brand of team soccer.
As a result of this good work M.R. scored at the 20 minute mark to really put the pressure on us. After that goal I could see we started to lift our intensity with more positive moves forward.
Our strikers and wingers were getting into space which led to better options going forward. It took until a minute or two from half time before the skipper hit the back of the net from another positive move.
Capel 6 vs BSN Sharks 1
Saturday saw Capel host Busselton Soccer Club in the under 11’s. Both teams came out of the blocks pumped up for their final group game of the season.
After a shaky start (probably due to Busselton’s pressure) the Wolves soon consolidated their position and began to control the game. Having another best on ground performance goalkeeper Jack Herbert was rock solid pulling off some wonderful saves. He was helped by a defense which went from strength to strength as the game progressed.
Midfielders: Rachel Rance, Claire Kelly-Gardiner, and Courtney G, fought tenaciously for possession and with Josh Lewis Taylor Barr and Daniel Lewis all scoring the game ended with a pleasing 6-1 result. The Wolves showed that they will not be easy beats as the competition hots up now, with the top five teams playing against each other in the next few weeks.
Well done guys and keep up the level of intensity and commitment you have shown so far. Thanks Busselton for a fair and enjoyable game.
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Dunsborough Slayers vs. GMAS Navy
The Slayers were using a new combination of goalkeepers (Donaiya and Indiah). They were both under significant pressure from the GMAS forwards. Donaiya was unsighted on a few occasions but in one instance she advanced out of her box to challenge a would be strike, disrupting the play enough to allow defenders to clear the ball. GMAS pressed forward regularly and their strikers posed a constant threat. Melat, Ashlea and Indiah were regularly in the action defensively.
Capel Wolves vs. BSN Cougars
Capel Wolves played an undermanned BSN Cougars, it was a great game to watch and skills were used really well.
Jessica Mack put in a great effort in goals for the first half, and wing in the second half. Natasha Warchol followed in the goals coming from striker in the first half, taking some great saves.
Busselton Cougars had some great play and shots on goal.
Jack McMeekan, Corey Carroll, Jessica Mack and Emma May did excellent playing as wings and mid fielders throughout the match.
Taylor Barr, Mathew Cream, Olivia Warchol had good input in the Midfield.
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Margaret River Munchkins v Vasse Hawks/Cornerstone Cubs
The Margaret River Munchkins played some awesome football at the weekend despite the absence of a few big names who were obviously enjoying a bit of sunshine up north.
Mikey Jeffs played a fantastic all round game with some great defending moves and attacking football. Casey Castle showed all involved just how good a striker he can be running the entire length of the field at times and finding the back of the net on more than occasion. Jasper Hillman and Jaxon Deighton provided good defence and were often seen running wide of the pack waiting for the loose ball and regaining control.It was a very cold start to the day but everyone warmed up quickly. With a shortage of players for the match, there were no substitutes and no time to get cold. Everyone got a great run and plenty of the ball.
Hannah and Jevon were strong in attack this week and Finn got straight into the action when he took the field. Amy recovered well from a nasty fall to get some kicks and Oli demonstrated some excellent kicking. Zach and Mackenzie also put in a very strong effort.
The Hawks played well as a team despite the holiday break and no doubt their team play will get even better after another week of training. Thanks to Amy and Mackenzie for filling in for the Munchkins.
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MR United 2 def McKillop Marauders 1
For the last fixture before the holiday break Margaret River United travelled to Busselton to play McKillop. The team rested fast forwards Mehdi Balkhi and Scott Guthrie-Phelps, as well as seasoned campaigners Oscar Howse and Lewis Hayes for this encounter. For most of the game, it bucketed down with players on both sides suffering from the cold and wet conditions.
The slippery but hard ground made ball control difficult and both teams struggled with passing early on. Margaret River played a three-two-three-two position that initially gave McKillop some space in front of Margaret River’s goal. Centre back Mat Kevill however held firmly with effective support from right back Kane Duggan and left back Mitchell Winstanley.
After eight minutes, the midfield found into the game. Benjamin Smith fired a warning shot in the 8th minute. The ball was deflected by McKillop’s keeper and hit the upright. In the 12th minute, speedy winger Aaron Locke received a clever through ball from Sam Connell. He outran his marker and the intended loop ball to the goal mouth from the right flank resulted in United taking the lead. The ball sailed over all defenders including the keeper to descend into the back of the net.
VASSE 3 def GMAS 2
Due to GMAS leaving for Canberra on the weekend we agreed to play the fixture after school on Wednesday at Churchill Park.
After completing the first round and not having lost a game I felt it was going to be hard for the boys to keep up the same intensity they have had previously. GMAS had a few new players and a new goalie which boosted their midfield and made a real game of it. We were missing our skipper in Vaughan (nearly cut his toe off) who adds plenty of bite in attack.
At the 20 minute mark of the first half we hand balled in the box to give GMAS a penalty which was converted. Four minutes later with good teamwork and execution GMAS slotted another one to have us under real pressure. We hadn’t been in this position before so it was going to be a great test for the lads. Both team played hard till half time with no other goals scored. We did have 6 or so shots that half, so we were working hard as a team but were unable to finish when required.
Mackillop 0 v Margaret River United 5
The United team travelled to Busselton on Saturday , with the challenge of not to concede a goal , as the defence had been leaking goals at a considerable rate in recent weeks. In wet and cold conditions the skill level was quite high and the United team took an early lead, Zac Harney was doing some great work down the left hand side, and captain for the day Jesse martin was leading by example in winning every loose ball.
Pierce Symons in goal showed great hands in dealing with any Mackillop attack. The half time score was 3-0 and we saw a goal keeper change which saw Kia Bako swap with Pierce Symons, the second half was more of the same, and some near misses by the United attack and some good goal keeping from Mackillop, kept the score line to some respectability. This was a great way to end the first half of the season and the players can earn well earned rest for school holidays. Eagle Boys Players of the day was Zac Harney for scoring a great goal and Pierce Symons for a superb all round game.
Bsn Redbacks 2 V Dunsborough 1
Busselton Redbacks hosted Dunsborough at Barnard Park on Saturday and welcomed them with a massive downpour.
Despite the atrocious weather, Dunsborough started the match well, with a couple of forward moves early on. Good work by Redbacks defenders and substitute goalie Kyron Pallett meant no score until Busselton went forward in the 8th minute down the right wing, and Jesse Deas steered home a fine goal from the 6 yard corner.
Busselton seemed to control the play for the next few minutes with Dunsborough defending well. In the 13th minute Redbacks attacked again along the wing via Jesse again, then a fine cross to Jacob McElroy for the finish.
GMAS United 1 v Vasse Ravens 3
Another cold Saturday morning, down at Barnard Park, but there was something special about this one with three of our players having birthdays in the week around it.
We were determined…With memories of our last meeting with Vasse, in our minds, there was no way we were going to let that happen again.
After training on Thursday, there was something different about GMAS United, they had started to really gel as a team, started to live up to their name…
This played out well on the field, with loads of talking, calling and encouragement between the players.
Vasse Ravens 3 v GMAS United 1
It was a bleak and wintery Saturday morning when the Vasse under 13 teens took on GMAS United at Barnard Park, Busselton. The sky was black the wind was chilling to the bone and the rain an ever ending thereat. None of this stood in the way of an entertaining and competitive game from both teams.
Vasse came out determined to build on their good form, and went straight on the attack. GMAS stood their ground and did not make it easy for the opposing team. However the continuous attack from Vasse soon paid off with a well constructed goal putting Vasse a goal in front. GMAS came back at Vasse to try and even the score but the Vasse defense was impenetrable.
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