Stage 3 Metro Cup Football
After a few weeks of training indoors due to wet weather and unplayable outdoor fields, the big day finally arrived.
We were greeted with a chilly, breezy but fine day for the South Coast CSSA Metro Cup.
Thankfully the grounds had dried out enough to be deemed ok to play on.
Bumpy, and a little ugly in patches but playable and we are very thankful to the Kiama Football Club for allowing things to proceed.
So it was time for some of that boundless energy to be put to very good use as we played four games against some of our South Coast Christian School neighbours.
We started well with an excellent team performance against Illawarra Christian School.
From the kickoff we looked in control with Toby G, Callum B, Mohit P and Jimmy T bossing the midfield and creating chances.
Thankfully the strikers did just enough with Will P opening the scoring and Toby G capping off a good all round performance with a goal (I think it was Toby). At the other end of the pitch, the defensive unit of Alex W, Liam C, Levi H, Pat W, Liam M were strong, smart and steady.
Final score was 2-1 which probably flattered the opposition as we had most of the game and had a number of really good chances which ended up as coulda, shoulda woulda …
Next up was Calderwood, and our boys were in rare form, playing like a champion team (as opposed to a team of champions) with some excellent combinations and slick passages of passing and movement. Toby and Cal were instrumental in running the show and made the whole thing look easy, bringing everyone along for the ride. Good to watch.
We managed to score 5 times with some excellent team work with Will P bagging a hat trick and Liam scoring twice.
And we kept them scoreless. Brilliant all round performance.
Final score 5-0.
Game 3 was against Southern Highlands Christian School (SHCS) who in the past have not been the strongest of opponent, but this time round they were up for it and really gave us a good contest.
SHCS managed to surprise us with a goal a little against the run of play to get them rolling. To our boys credit they didn’t freak out, but kept on passing the ball around well, and playing like a team. Our defence was strong and smart, the midfield was holding the upper hand but we couldn’t seem to crack them.
Eventually our teamwork was rewarded when Will P got the equaliser and we surged on, pressing for a winner. It never came and a 1-1 draw was the final score. Pretty good result, but one I reckon we probably should have won.
Lunch break went down well, hearty thanks to the NCS Food Tech helpers (Ava D & Harriet P … ) on the BBQ and canteen.
Next up and last game of the day for us was Cedars and in years gone by they have typically been “the team to beat”.
We needed a win (probably a convincing win) to secure the title and the prestige (or is that more like pain) of going to the next level.
So there were a few nerves and perhaps a little bit of trepidation in the ranks prior to kickoff.
With a towering and very prolific striker in their ranks, Jethro S (the assassin) was given the task of keeping him quiet. And he did a magnificent job which made life a lot easier for the rest of us. It would be remiss not to mention an awesome save made by Alex W midway through the game to keep them scoreless.
We snagged a goal pretty much straight from their kickoff with Will P intercepting a pass and making a strong run through a couple of would be defenders and smashing one home. This set the tone for us and we never looked back. Will P bagged 2 goals and was very strong all round the park for us, with Liam Mc scoring twice, the last a cracking strike into the roof of the net. Final score 4-0
That final result saw us go level top of the table on points with Southern Highlands with the teams separated by our superior goal difference.
That means (fortunately or otherwise) we get the opportunity to go to the next level of competition representing the South Coast at the CSSA State Carnival at Valentine Park, in northwestern Sydney.
Above all of these results, I was thrilled to see the attitude from every member of the team.
No whinging, complaining, arguing, hassling. Everyone just got in there and did their best for the team and for themselves.
Attitude plus effort usually = rewards.
Highlights for me were not limited to our brilliant team football.
A couple of acts of sheer selflessness from Gabriel E and Josh T warrant a mention. Gabe lending his boots to another player and Josh willing to take an extra bench stint in the best interests of the team.
Well done.
The boys “Done good, played strong.” as Jack would have said.
Toby G, Jimmy T, Callum B, Will P, Theo S, Patrick W, Liam Mc, Gabriel E, Jethro S, Levi H, Lucas T, Mohit P, Josh T, Liam C, Alex W.
Big shout out and thanks to Mr Parker who did a lot of the leg work and organising before, during and after the event, and managed to coach the Stage 2 team as well. All in a day’s work for him.
Huge thanks to all the parents who came and supported, encouraged, fed, watered, cared for, the boys at various times during the day.
Your support is much appreciated.
