On the weekend of 11 & 12 March, the Regional Conference Youth U14's and U16's teams entered the Bathurst Cup.  Our two coaches, Stan (U14's) and Michael (U16'), have provided us with detailed reports of the boys achievements over the weekend.  Thank you also to Dana & Rob for the great photo's, you can find them on our Facebook page 

Well done to the players, coaches and family members who made the trip to Bathurst for what was a memorable weekend.

Regional Conference Youth Under 14’s

Our under 14s, recently travelled to Bathurst to be part of the Bathurst Cup on the weekend 11^th & 12^Th March.

Our first game was against the host Bathurst 75, an unknown quality.

We started well where we controlled the game from the outset, controlling possession and territory. Quite a few opportunities fell our way, hitting the keeper and post, we were thinking it might not be our day. Until we had a corner, where Adam Chicaro stepped up, took the corner and it went in directly. Still on the front foot, we keep peppering the goals. Half time came and with choice words from the coach we started the second half the way we finished the second half. A lot more opportunities were coming our way as Bathurst were tiring. Our second goal came from Nathan Lingham and third and fourth in quick concession from Michael Sitnikoski. That’s how it ended - 4 nil to FSC.

Our second game was not until 4pm. This gave our players chance to go back to their hotels, relax and get some lunch or take in the sites of Bathurst.

The second game was against our South Coast neighbours, Eurobodalla. Again we were the strong team from the outset, with high work from our midfield in closing them down.  We had enough opportunities to finish the game at half time, but credit to their keeper, who keep them in the game. It wasn’t until deep in the first half we scored with a wonderful finish from David Chicharo, with the lead up work coming from his brother Adam. However the twist came from a poor decision, which gave Eurobodalla a goal. The players kept going and pressed for a second goal but time was against us and we finished 1 all.

Our third and last group game was against Sutherland, this was the game to win to top our group. Our team were ready for this one. We started extremely well, within 24 seconds Nathan Lingham put us ahead. I thought that we controlled the first half. The second was a different game. Sutherland took control of the game right from the whistle hitting the post and calling on some wonder saves from Deakin Southern, kept Sutherland out of the game. A huge mention goes out to our back four Jaxon Bussoletti, Jayden Collins, Christian Maranesi and Jeremy Cornford who kept Sutherland at bay. This was a massive team effort from all the players. It was wonderful to hear our parents encouraging the team on.

This meant we topped the group! A fantastic achievement.

A big ‘Thank you’ to John, one of our parents, for arranging dinner on Saturday night for the team, it was a great way to finish the day.

Day 2

As winner of the group we had to play NPL team Rydalmere City. We didn’t start well. Rydalmere came at us from the start. Before we knew it we were down one and their second followed quickly. It wasn’t until David Chicaro pulled one back and we went in at halftime, 2-1 down.

The second half was the same as the first, Rydalmere controlled the game and possession. Deakin kept us in the game with some fine saves, however we were down by two goals and time was running out. We received a lifeline when Adam Chicaro scored a wonderful goal. The team reacted and pushed for the equalizer but unfortunately we just ran out of time. Credit to the players who didn’t stop trying, playing against an NPL side.

A big thank you goes out to our team manager Rob Sitnikoski, who did wonderful job organising the two days.

To our parents, a massive ‘thank you’ for taking time out, to drive three and half hours and to give up your weekend. Thanks for the laughs and supporting our team.

Stan Pappas

 

Regional Conference Youth U16's

For some, it was a wet trip up but once we arrived it was back to the hot weather of Wollongong but drier.

Saturday, our first game was against Sutherland and after going down 0-2 at half time we had the feeling that a draw or win was possible. After a gem of a free kick by Henry Jenkins we were back in the game and after good quality football and possession, Nathanial Dubowec forced a very good save by the Sutherland keeper. Henry then started a trend of hitting the crossbar for the ball to fall at Damien Grew’s feet who scored to make it 2 all. This season, our relationship with our near city neighbours has started with 2 draws in friendlies. What will the rest of the competition bring?

We entered the Bathurst cup for the experience of playing against different teams and the next game against Rydalmere provided that. A few players had their minds on the result and what could happen on Sunday but Rydalmere had other ideas and put us under a lot of pressure very quickly and again we were down 0-2 at half time, but lucky not to be worse. We focused better in the 2nd half, scored 1 back by Damien after a period of very good possession football but couldn’t sustain it and then gave up another goal to make the final score 1-3. But none the less, a very valuable lesson was learnt.

Day 2 was the lesson learnt. Up against Bankstown - a NPL2 team and more experience for us, we put them under pressure quickly and continued through the whole game. We were very well organised at the back and eventually, through a move that started with our no 2, Connor Weare, who passed to Jonathan Passaliokis, who ran into midfield before slipping an inch perfect pass to Nic Tomasiello, who calmly slotted the ball home to go ahead 1-0. Showing we had learnt the lesson from yesterday very well. The game finished with that well deserved goal and a very pleasing played game.

This meant we had 4 points and finished 3rd in our pool, so we had to play Gladesville, a team we had locked horns with several times over the last 3 years. With a better understanding of our team and individual roles, we continued where we had left off from the Bankstown game. Playing a fairly high pressure game and keeping the ball moving on the ground, we had several chances and eventually scored off Nathananial’s head to give us 2 wins, a draw and a loss over the two days.

The experience we gained over the weekend should hold us in good stead for the forthcoming competition, as we continually develop our RCY teams into being able to play constructive football, work as a team and work hard for each other.

Many thanks to all our extended football family of mums, dads, sisters & brothers, grandparents, aunties and friends who made the trip to support our team. A great trip and tournament and looking forward to our next football experience.

Many thanks to our super calm and collected manager Marie Lucas for organising the team dinners, water for the super hot conditions etc. Good Job Marie.

Micheal Southwell