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.
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.
Margaret River United 2 v Dunsborough 7
The United team took to the field on Saturday for their first game in three weeks , and were chomping at the bit to play, as world cup fever was running high. The first ten minutes were completely dominated by United as they played at a very high standard , and the Dunsborough team were pinned in their own half , but as in most sports if you don’t take your chances ,you let the opposition in and in their first attacking move they broke through as they exposed the fragile defence.
This goal completely changed the pattern of the game and Dunsborough took control of the game as the United team started to panic and it wasn’t long before they broke through again. With a half time break and a fresh positive attitude , United took it up to the opposition and got a goal back through a great strike by Kia Bako. Unfortunately as the United team pressed up the field for the equaliser, they were once again exposed at the back and the more experienced team of Dunsborough took full advantage and scored two quick goals, which really took the wind out of Uniteds sails , to their credit they never stopped trying and can be very proud of their efforts , as the score line does not indicate how well they played. Eagle Boys player of the day was Jesse Martin.
VASSE 8 def SJMSC 0
The game began in fine conditions and I put it to the boys to go hard early and see if we can score early to put SJMSC under pressure. Well that wasn’t the case to the credit of the opposition the ball was going from one end to the other with nothing hitting the net. Not to say there weren’t a lot of shots – the boys peppered the goals but the SJMSC goalie was playing well and repelling many attacks.
Both midfields were playing tight soccer which made it great to watch. It took until the 31 min mark before Jebesh Mills (looking better and better up forward) slotted one. We went to half time with a slender lead and plenty of work to for the remainder of the game.
Vasse 4 v Dunsborough Predators 1
We were really looking forward to this one – by all reports the Predators had been playing good soccer and therefore it was going to be a good test to see where we were at.
The game was played at a fast pace early which opened holes in both defences which created plenty of shots for both sides. We hit the woodwork twice as both goalies were being worked over and to their credit they made some great saves.
It took until the 17 minute mark before Louis found the back of the net from a good run created by excellent teamwork from the midfield. Two minutes later we took a corner, put the ball close to the line and a Predators defender ,under huge pressure put in an own goal.
Margaret River United 4 v Dunsborough Predators 3
After last week’s loss, the fixtures did the young United team no favours as they met second placed Predators, and once again it was like ground hog day, as the Dunsborough team put a goal in the back of the net in the first minute .
One thing about the United team they certainly don’t like playing games the easy way, slowly but surely United got themselves back into the game and it wasn’t long before they got a well deserved equaliser, but then fell behind again, a great strike by Jayden Stammers and a net burster by Kade Bougore gave them the advantage and another by Kia bako had the United up 4-2 at half time and it was a well deserved lead as they played some great entertaining soccer which the large crowd greatly appreciated.
The second half saw the United team attack in waves, but just couldn’t find a game breaker, a well deserved penalty was missed and this was the trigger for Dunsborough, as they sensed the heavy conditions were taking its toll on the younger United side. With five minutes to go Dunsborough scored and it was all hands on deck as the Dunsborough side laid siege on the United team but couldn’t find an equaliser.
Congratulations to both teams on a great game played in great spirit.
Eagle Boys Player of the day was Kade Bougore for a great all round game.
Vasse 11 v Cornerstone 2
The match started with plenty of dew on the pitch which made in tricky early. That didn’t deter Matt who put one in the back of the net within 10 minutes from good teamwork.CSU scored within minutes as both sides were sussing each other out. We then lost Shayden with a knee injury coming from a hard contest in the middle. Shayden had to go to hospital for x-rays which resulted in good news-no major damage, but unable to return.
It took another 15 minutes for the boys to settle and the it began, the skipper scored at the 31 min mark, then Jayden at min 32, Louis at min 33 and again at 34 !!
At half time we were in a strong position at 5-1,but were down to just the 1 sub which may slow us down in the second half.
Vasse 4 def Dunsborough Terminators 3
We were so looking forward to this one after that bye. We also knew to expect a smaller pitch than normal and a heap of rain. We won the toss and decided to go with the wind and to the end that didn’t look like my pool at home. Thanks to some really good teamwork pushing forward Matthew House finished it off with a goal early in the game, and within 5 minutes of that one skipper Vaughan had his first of the day and we were looking good.
Dunsborough tightened up after that and it became a game of the defences for the rest of the first half. Shayden Bloomfield showed his talent by controlling his area and pushing hard up field when the time was right. He had great support from Billy Smith who had to take control when his more senior teammate tried to break the game open. To the credit of both sides the game remained 2-0 at half time.
Margaret River United 3 v GMAS 1
After last week close loss, the United team were keen to make amends when they hosted the GMAS team at a damp and soggy Margaret River.
From the first whistle the United team were on the attack, some resolute defending by Jake Sales, Riley Giles, Gabriel Abbott, Jesse Martin and Adrian Woodward propelled any GMAS attacks and continually set up the midfield.
Unfortunately once again as in earlier games, they failed to convert their chances, and sure enough against the run of play GMAS took the lead from a penalty. This really shook the United teams confidence and GMAS began to take control, in what was turning out to be a very scrappy game.
Just before half time Jayden Stammers and Kia Bako took a quick corner and surprised the Gmas defence, and the ball found its way into the net through a sea of legs.
Vasse 3 v Margaret River United 2
When the fixtures came out this one was always going to be a blockbuster of a game, and so it proved to be as both teams gave a great exhibition of soccer , played in great spirit and quite frankly neither team deserved to lose.
From the first whistle Vasse attacked and within the first twenty seconds scored a goal as the United team were still wondering what was going on.
Slowly but surely the United team started to show some attacking moves, and it was end to end stuff , the only difference was the Vasse strikers were more lethal in front of goal and opened up a 3- 0 lead.
This was pegged back with a well taken goal by Kia Bako, the half time score was 3-1.
We thought it was going to be tough and it was.Before anyone had a chance to settle vasse were on the board thanks to our skipper Vaughan.The rest of the half was a tight contest but having the wind gave vasse a slight advantage and in min 12 Jack Mckay scored his second of the season and at min 22 Louis White had his also.That left us with a good buffer at half-time of 3-1.with M.R. having the wind in the second half I felt it was going to be close.
Within 10 mins M.R. had scored and now the game was on.M.R. continued to pepper the goals but with Adam Fraser looking after the defence they were unable to score.The Vasse backs stood up very well with Shayden,Shannon,Billy & George repelling many attacks.
The game ended at that scoreline. Congrats to the boys for a good disiplined game. We now have a bye but will continue to train hard for our next contest.
Margaret River 6 v Mackillop 1
What a beautiful day to start the season , finally the Margaret River United team can get to show off the fruits of all the hard work they have been putting in on the training track.
It was a pumped up United team that took to the field , as the two teams showed the mark of Respect before the game , which is a new initiative by the LNJSA, one could sense that they were ready to fire. From the first whistle the United team dominated play as they were continually first to the ball.
Riley Giles was commanding his defence, ably assisted by Adrian Woodward, Jesse Martin, Peter Ladd Mcgovern and first gamer Sam Berridge. Jayden Stammers and Kia Bako dominated midfield play, setting up the two strikers Kade Bougoure and another first gamer Jake Cockin,.
After a series of missed chances, United finally got the goal they deserved and this settled the team down and they quickly added two more , then a piece of sloppy play in defence allowed the Mackillop team to score, United replied straight away and the half time score was 4-1.
Read more: Margaret River show off the fruits of their hard work
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MR Dynamite 5 def MR Raiders 3
In last week’s Knock-Out Cup draw the Raiders pulled out their local rivals as quarter final opponent – very much to the dismay of the Raiders. In windy and wet conditions, the boys knew that this would be a difficult encounter, and various tactical moves have been discussed in training last week.
The Raiders lined up without defender Kane Duggan. The toss would be crucial, and it went Dynamite’s way. The game highlighted the strong improvements made by Dynamite throughout the season and the resigned closure to the season by the Raiders.
The Raiders in green started well but Dynamite opened the scoring in the 2nd minute after a defensive blunder. Several attempts to break through the well placed Dynamite defence failed, partially due to a lack of team work, partially due to the strong headwind. Dynamite put two more goals in the back of the Raider’s net in the 17th and 19th minute.
Two of the three goals came from corner kicks and one was an own goal. Then Aaron Locke stepped up. His powerful sprints down the right wing opened up the Dynamite’s defence. His pass into the box in the 22nd minute found unmarked Mehdi Balkhi. However the dangerous forward mis-kicked and the ball went wide.
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