Well done to all our Grand Finalists – AAG; AAWC2 and O35C and our winners U10A and 16GB. Here’s some reports.

U10A v Connells Point Won 4-0

FRFC U10As capped off a fantastic year completing the double over Connells Point firstly in the league and now with the Grand Final.

Being beaten in the semi finals by Connells Point gave our team a purpose, a resolve to make amends and went into the game with confidence from a good lead in. The coaches and parents have really pushed the kids to believe in themselves and it is this confidence on and off the ball which made the 4-0 result all the more pleasing and deserved.

Great performances lead by Max and Thomas inspired the team to play with determination and enthusiasm . Dylan and Oliver not only refused the opposition in scoring but also brought the ball forward with sublime skill. Daniel really stepped up to the occasion producing a no nonsense approach, Matt and Jack were a calming influence dictating the play with Joanna causing problems when she was on the ball. Milan dragged himself out of his sick bed to put in a great display with the ball at his feet. We saw some fantastic goals, Alex grabbing 2 screamers from a more controlled game and Josh showing a strikers knack of chasing the ball to the death with the second a deft touch over the keeper.

It has been a great performance this year at training and during the games and all the plaudits these kids get will not be enough.

I would like to thank the parents for ferrying the kids to trainings and game days and I would especially like to thank Greg our manager for all his efforts making this team run smoothly and also being my sideline body guard.

Matt.

AAG v Rockdale Raiders Lost 1-2

The AAGs intrepid reporter has been silent on match reports for a while, so thought he’d better put one in for the Grand Final.

It was the Minor Premiers (Rockdale, on 37 points, 48 for, 18 against) vs second (FRFC, on 34 points, 45 for and 16 against) in our fourth meeting for the season, with not much separating us. They’d beaten us in the first round, we beat them in the second round, then they beat us in the first semi-final, and all games had been competitive.

Rangers started strong in the first half and had a number of chances with I think four shots hitting the cross-bar or the uprights (in one play three of us hit all three posts!) and their keeper having to make a couple of saves by the hair of his chinny-chin-chin, and Bazzi not having much to do at all in our own goal area. I lost track of how many shots Curtis had, and Terry got in on the act as well. The second half started similarly, and we were rewarded by a goal after Jerry did somewhat of an overhead shot/cross and Matt was well-placed (if he says so himself) for the simple header into the net. Unfortunately they equalised a few minutes later, doh!

Extra time? Ref, it’s too hot and we’re all tired. Do we have to?

We started extra time running the same way as the second half. We had a few opportunities in the first 10 mins but weren’t able to capitalise. We all though Tony had put one away but it bounced off the post (again) and the bounce didn’t go our way. In the second 10 mins we were starting to flag and were allowing them more space. We still had a few chances, with Mark coming close with a long range free kick. But in the end, at nearly the very end, we allowed them too much space and they headed home with a free header in the last minute. We had one last ditch effort but to no avail. They won the day.

Team, you can all hold your heads high for the game, and the season. Next year boys!

And spectators, all those who came throughout the season, and those who came for the ‘big’ games, a massive thank you from the team for your support and cheers. You too can hold your head high.

AAWC2 v Carrs Park Lost 1-2

This was a gut wrenching loss, despite the girls having the better of the play for the majority of the game. It was a rotten way to lose the match and even though we did not take the title we know we were the best team in the competition this year. Congratulations on a wonderful season girls and I, as your manager, was proud to be associated with every one of you. To Alice, Alicia, Anissa, Bridgette, Caitlin, Dannielle, Ellen, Laura, Leah, Molly, Monica, Monique, Priyanka, Samantha, Tayla and Zoya – thank you for being a valued member of the AAWC2s as well as being a lovely group of young ladies.

Many thanks to our faithful band of parents, families and friends for your enthusiastic support of the girls every week and lastly to Joel (even though he can push one’s buttons to breaking point!), well done on a grand coaching effort.

Farewell season 2013 and looking forward to season 2014 – hope to see you all back next year.