8 Garnets ( 1 ) Bankstown Dragons ( 4 )
Buoyed by a good first up effort last week, the Garnets were ready to take to the field and hopefully record their first win of the season. We started off well trying to work the ball down field with some great dribbling and running by Tahlia. Luke used his fancy footwork and great kicking skills to get the ball down near our opponent�s goals but was unable to score. Jake fought hard to get the ball and passed to his teammates well. Zac�s big kicking game was used well to get the ball out of our half and into the Dragon�s half of the field. Brooke was rock solid at defender, and Mason made sure Lachie in goal was well protected. Lachie made some great saves early in the half. Dragons kept the ball in our goal area, and eventually scored 2 goals. Some positional changes saw Alex take up his position at defender repelling all opposition attacks. Shaylie kicked and passed well, and Courtney chased the ball hard all half. Reece used his super speed to beat everyone to the ball. Mason moved into the midfield and was in the thick of the action. From a penalty kick Mason booted the ball past all the Dragons players and scored his first ever goal � Congratulations Mason! The 2nd half was very much like the 1st, with the Garnets struggling to hold their positions and resorting to the swarm of bee�s soccer which restricts us from getting the ball. Amongst the legs flailing about in a feeble attempt to kick the ball there was some great passing from Jake and Tahlia, and some great running and dribbling from Luke and Lachie. Reece was frustrated not to get clear of the more composed Dragons players, but he tried hard all game. Zac had a huge game and saved what could have been certain goals with some great defence at the back. Mason�s confidence grew all game as a result of his 1st half goal. Alex and Brooke continued to clear out at the back, and Courtney tried hard in goals. Shaylie kept chasing the ball all game never giving up. Dragons scored 2 more goals to run out 4 � 1 winners. Our 2nd successive lost brought with it frustration and tears for some of the Garnets. We need to remember what we learn at training, and learn to hold our positions. The way we play at the moment gives our opponents easy access to our half of the field and eventually our goals. A few weeks off to relax and recharge our batteries could be what we need to renew our desire to play the way we have been taught to play.
Thanks to our supporters for cheering us on. Thank you to John Caruso for doing a sterling job as referee for the 2nd week in a row. Goal Scorer: Mason Apostolovski. Player of the Week: Mason Apostolovski. Encouragement Award: Zac Caruso.
Mark Carter, Coach
