U12/2
On a very cold Saturday morning we came up against Mosman for round 14. It was a game of two very different halves. We are often a little slow to get going and with the extra chilly conditions the boys took a little longer this morning, and we soon found ourselves trailing 1-0. The boys were not making the strong tackles they are known for, and the lead went to two after an unlucky handball in the penalty area (much to the amazement and protests from the boys). Jamie was pumped in goals and up for it, but the ball found the top right corner. The score should have been 2-1 in the first half, with Max getting a beautiful thru ball to put the ball in the net from long range, but was unfortunately called offside. Sam (the unofficial linesmen) was in perfect position and reported that he wasn't offside, but you win some and you lose some. It just wasn't to be (Just hope the opposition coach didn’t influence that one) After a few wise words from Richard and Tony at half time, the second half was a complete turn around with the team dominating Mosman, and were rewarded through a goal from Max which was the result of a nice corner from Hayden, which was played on by Matty and deflected by Max into the goal. We were soooo close in the dying minutes, with some excellent passing and strong run, however the whistle beat us with the final score 1-2 to Mosman. Another awesome team effort, with a man of the match effort to Jamie in goals who pulled off some great saves, and lead from the back with lots of loud instructions and encouragement to his team mates. Thanks has to go to our super subs, Hayden and Carlo who allowed us to field a full squad. This was very much appreciated and they had a great game.
AL 1 vs. Pittwater
BTH Raiders SC vs. Pittwater FC
5 - 3 win
With the big two awaiting us in the coming weeks, BTH knew that a win against lowly Pittwater was a must.Having watched the ressies play awesome in a 5-0 win, confidence was high and we wanted to start well and put the game to bed early….but oh no, that’s not how we do things in first grade.
BTH laboured out the blocks slower than Joe Rushton when it’s his turn to buy a drink and found themselves one nil down inside 5 minutes when a penalty was awarded for a rash tackle in the box, it was despatched well with Massey having no chance. It was the kick up the backside we needed, and although the game was scrappy we equalised through a great team goal, nice work through our midfield released Jason Lal down the right-hand side and he picked out George Harle at the back post to nod home his first headed goal since 1992.
Lal then took things into his own hands after a Harle free kick had been pushed over for a corner. He jogged over, placed the ball down and without even looking up curled the ball home in off the back post for a 2-1 lead. Its only taken 6 months but the Lal Harle combination was now in full flow, BTH added a third when Lal picked up the ball on half way, turned and played in Harle who raced through and finished despite being pole axed by the keeper. Harle then completed a first half hattrick when he won and scored a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Game over you might think…. Oh no, not our first grade. We quite literally let them walk through and make it 4-2 before the half time whistle, a little bit like when a team score unintentionally from a drop ball, and then you let them get one back because you feel it’s the right thing to do.
Half Time 4-2
Second half started scrappy, both teams knew the next goal was important and Pittwater were battling hard, so much so they were reduced to 10 men when one of their better players picked up his second yellow. Not to be out done buy his team mate, there left back then decided to haul Harle down when he was one on one and he was given a straight red card.
So just to recap, at this point we are 4-2 up and playing against 9 men. Easy end to the game? oh no, not our first grade Pittwater made it 4-3 with their centre forward raced through and smashed home pass Massey, he then had a glorious chance to make it 4-4 but missed the target from close range, fair play to the away side, they were giving it a good go.
Their hearts were broken though in the final few minutes, Hayden Waters picked up the ball wide left and pinged a lovely ball over the top for Harle to run through and make it 5-3. The BTH crowed erupted and the 3 points were sealed.
Some game, credit to the ressies for their win and amazing support on the sideline, Alambie up next for Lovric’s men who need to win to keep their promotion hopes alive.
WU18-2
'Twas a chilly morning at Terrey Hills oval as a group of fit talented blue and yellow football girls arrived for a Redemption day clash against Forest Killarney. A highly anticipated game that we have eagerly been waiting for where we right the wrongs of being defeated 2 - 1 by The sickly green of Killarney back on the 7th May. The game started well for the first 10 minutes Raiders were dominant but then somehow Forest lifted and developed some pressure and were extremely lucky to score a goal from a goal mouth scramble rebound.
There next goal is how Forest score all there goals From a free kick from 30 meters out and it goes in top corner. At 2 nil down we didn't panic and we knew all we needed to do was convert the chances on goal we were creating.
We created lots of chances and plenty of shots and at no stage did we ever contemplate not winning the game.
The half time talk worked a treat.
Contest the ball and mark tighter we can win this game.
As Forest tried to play out off there line our forwards and halves contested for the ball creating preassure and getting possession eventually our first goal came from Stephanie displaying determination and skill slicing through 3 defenders for a one on one with the goalie where she calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Our 2nd goal came via a free kick awarded to us from 30 metres out our center half Emma Watson stepped up and lifted the ball over the wall and above the keepers head up high in the top corner. Once we got our 2nd goal I could see the team lift in attack and defence YES YES we can win this! Our third goal saw Rachel beat 2 defenders down the right sideline and make a pin point cross for one of our forwards Rai to volley into the goal.
Our 4th goal came with 5 minutes to play where Zee dribbled into the goal area, for some reason Forest defenders held off and held off untill Zee finally wrong footed them and found herself with a very narrow angle between goalie and near post. Zee calmly scored and then did the craziest celebration dance ever seen.
So from 2 nil down at half time we ended up winning 4 to 2 our under 18 girls played with passion and desire to win. We are coming first and every week teams want to beat us and every week we keep lifting and overcoming to win and stay on top.