Vermont Junior FC
 Round 6 - Match Reports

… MATCH REPORT …

In ideal conditions we were able to once again play some great team football. We started extremely well and kicked four goals very early on in the game. After the early onslaught, the goals dried up as Knox’s defense kept us out numerous times. We did all of the attacking for the game and ended up kicking six goals to Knox’s one. Our captains for the day Josh Liddle & Ben Riddle got a lot of the ball and both played solid games. The pleasing aspect of today’s game was the continual improvement from all of the boys. Well done!

This week we had the short trip to Forest Hill for the local Derby .

Ashley Keeton played a great game in defence & took on the role as the sides designated kicker. As a result the team did not concede one goal from kicking either down the middle or across goal, for the first time this season!

Raymond Toole continued his fine form, as did Yusuf Aly and Jack Robinson produced a superb display in the ruck. Bailey Mayne did well in defence & Mitchell Savage was fantastic getting a few kicks and a knock on. Brandon Battaglia managed to get in to the action on his wing.

The boys need to concentrate on defensive accountability. Until our defenders learn to stay on their opponents & provide a contest, we will not be competitive against more experienced sides.

Next week we host the Lighting Premiers Norwood Purple, who are playing in D division!

I would like to thank our parents who have supported the team in a positive fashion & not indulged in the screaming histrionics of some of our opponents. Most of our boy’s have only played 6 games and in some cases they are playing boys as experienced as our Purple team. There is no quick fix. The boy’s need time to develop.

This week we played at home against Wantirna South, a team that in the past had caused us a few problems. Sam became the first of the boys who have come through from under 9’s, to play 50 games. There will be many more to follow over the next few weeks. Sam and Scott were appointed captains for the day. Both boys played really well. We won the toss and elected to kick to the northern end.

Sam started off in the ruck with help in the centre from James, Shehan and Dan Ryan. These boys did a great job and got the ball forward where Ryan Phillips, Alex and Ned were providing a real contest and showing excellent skills. Ned was full of run all day and showed us all how to play good footy by relentlessly chasing down the ball. Ryan kicked our only goal for the quarter into the wind. Meanwhile our defence led by Luke, Zac, Dan Batten and Scott really made it tough for the opposition and kept them to two goals for the quarter. At this stage it was the basics that were letting us down – things like playing in front, working together, and being first to the ball. At quarter time I asked for a big effort to play as a team and get the basics right for the rest of the game.

The second quarter was a low scoring affair for both teams who were at this stage evenly matched. Zac, Shehan and Ned led the way in the centre, running hard and chasing the ball. Unfortunately Dan Ryan copped a knock and couldn’t have his usual influence on the game. Sam, Luke and Ben Scott battled hard when the ball got into our forward line. It was the back line though of Harry, Johnathan, Konrad, Liam, Michael and Jordan who really did well to keep Wantirna goalless.

The third quarter was another tight one but again we worked hard, got in first for the ball, and kept the pressure on the opposition by tackling hard. Michael, Harry and Liam especially played well this quarter taking marks and working hard over the ball. Ben Scott was winning in the ruck and Jordan, Luke and Brennan took full advantage to clear the ball out of the centre.

In the final quarter Ryan Phillips went into the ruck and with Michael, Konrad and Scott in the centre we had a very determined group of boys in the middle. Time and again they won it out of the centre and worked it forward. Darcy on the wing was first in for the ball, got the free kick and then the opposition started to lose the plot giving away silly free kicks and 15 metre penalties. Sam, Ben Newbegin and Ben Gibson played in front and made sure it rarely went past our half back line. Shehan , Jordan and Luke were running and winning the ball across half forward and the team-work and shepherding really helped us. With the shepherding provided by Zac and Luke the smaller players were able to run onto the ball and kick goals. Brennan ended up with three goals and Scott with one goal for the quarter.