The late game time of 3.05pm, 9 players in the warm up, a last minute keeper change (thank you to our volunteer – name disclosed for privacy reasons) and our late arrivals running on the field just in time for kickoff saw us start with great enthusiasm and excitement. Read more
An evenly contested game against Kincumber revealed a better first half by them but the second half was ours. Our passing in the first half saw us lose possession on many occasions and our attack was limited due to poor finishing and any good opportunities up front not capitalised on. Read more
The 45C2’s were finally able to play their first game in their Round 5 fixture vs UMI at McEvoy Oval, a ground that none of us knew even existed prior to this match. With such a disrupted pre-season, we weren’t really sure what to expect from ourselves but at least we didn’t have players introducing themselves to each other before kick off like in some previous seasons! Read more
A great team performance across the park. We dominated from the opening whistle and denied Avoca a single realistic scoring chance. Read more
Round 5 on paper but finally the first game of our season. We started nervously, giving the ball away too easily in the first 20 mins. Luckily Jake in goals, and Leigh and Graeme at the back kept us at 0-0. However a quick break led to a Umina goal. 0-1.
Quirky was repositioned into his usual DM role and our whole game changed. Tim and Jon were able to push on down the wings, and Bog and Huw had freedom to roam. A cross from Tim led to a goal line scramble with Jon eventually getting the ball across the line for 1-1. More opportunities came down the right with Rob busting a gut as a flying wing back. Tim hit the bar with a cross/shot, and Jon managed to hit the post after latching onto a low cross.
After all this attack, it was Umina who got the next goal with some controversy. A clear hand ball gave their striker an advantageous bounce and they made it 1-2. No one from Barnies complained about the ref’s call… and I’m pretty sure no yellow cards were given for dissent…
We were still controlling the game but some more controversial calls were made by the ref. Steve copped an elbow to the face in their box but a free kick was given to Umina. Steve then received 2 yellows from his “calm” protest, bit harsh considering the blood that was pouring from Steve’s lip!
As we pushed for the equaliser, Umina countered and scored. End result 1-3 (4-0 in yellow cards)
Big shout out to Cronky and Rob who pushed themselves up and down the field when everyone else was tiring at the end. And Mark, Jake, Graeme and Leigh at the back who didn’t deserve the score line. Lessons learnt: Whilst we’ve had the luxury of preseason training at Soccer 5s, it’s clear we need more time on the slow, boggy surface of Frost!
Goal: Jon Hill
Players player(s): Rob and Quirky
Well at long last we finally got to kick a ball in anger, on what, considering all the rain and postponed matches, was a very good pitch, Berkeley Vale came at us hard from the kick off, and we’re not afraid to put it in and leave a boot in, Read more
Saturday night and we were looking forward to our first Sunday with a full squad. Fast forward a few hours and we were down to 13 and 2 minutes to kick off and we only had 9. Thankfully Libby, Chloe and Cloe arrived while the captains were taking part in the coin toss and we started with 11 on the field and a sub. (apparently Berkley Vale is quite hard to find!)
With Kelly K at home sick, Libby took the gloves and was the busiest of the 2 keepers for much of the first half. Her diving save at full stretch kept us in the game at 0-0 as Berkley had the better of the opening 10 minutes. Sadly Bec was forced out of the game with a recurring injury after only 15 minutes leaving us with only 1 sub. (Angelique had now arrived!)
The young Berkley team continued to press but a solid defence and alert Libby in goal did a great job at keeping them at bay. Our midfield were trying to break free at every opportunity and finally a stunning strike from Beth (toe punt) from 20 yards smashed the back of the net for her first goal in red and white and we took a 1-0 lead.
It was more of the same as the half continued. A few instructions from the coach to striker Chloe for her to drop deeper led to her picking up the ball just inside our half, what happened next was all her own work. Chloe Maradona, Ronaldo McDonough turned and started dribbling across the half way line at pace, she beat one defender, then another and another. As she entered the box the keeper tried to make herself as big as possible but she was no match for the delicate chip into the far corner for a beautiful individual goal. 2-0.
Half Time and a mystery illness suddenly saw Cloé withdraw from the game and spend the next 40 minutes emptying the contents of her stomach!
With only 11 fit players the second half was always gonna be tough but tough is what this team is fast becoming! Chloe made it 3-0 before Berkley got one back. A gritty, hardworking performance made sure that was a mere consolation for the girls in blue.
Special mention to player of the day Sarah who was immense as usual at the back, a battling performance from Jayne and a clean sheet for Kelly L who went in goal for the last 15.
Goals: Chloe McGonough (2), Beth Watt
The Barnstoneworth MAA team succumbed to another loss and it was a tough one to take. The game had 0-0 written all over it with no real serious chances for either side.
A late pitch inspection by the referee nearly saw the game called off but the coaches from both team convinced him that ‘it wasn’t too bad!’ 10 minutes in and it seemed like the girls were literally stuck in the mud of their own half as East Gosford piled on the pressure with wave after wave of attacks. Read more
The Barnstoneworth MAA boys managed to secure their first 3 points of the season with a smashing 5-2 victory over a young Umina side. The day started off lousy with our referee pulling out (shouldn’t have relied on the birthday boy refereeing after his party!) but we managed to find a back up! Read more