First in the Caspers sights this year were a healthy Inverell Joeys side who were one of the most competitive teams in last year’s competition. As the team walked onto the field, you could tell that a few of the boys were a little bit nervous (myself included). However, as soon as the whistle blew, we were straight into the game. 

The early signs were looking good for the Caspers who were putting a lot of pressure on the Joeys midfield and backline which allowed a few shots on goal. However, the boys gave away a penalty just outside of the box to which a Joeys striker slotted into the back of the net just past our ‘oh so ever reliable’ goal keeper Desie Walls. The Caspers still held their heads high, passing the ball with immaculate precision and creating some great opportunities up front. 

Looking dangerous upfront for the Caspers  were seniors and first grade newby Young Darcy Jackson, our friendly new German lad who goes by the name of Bela (can’t remember his last name) and the experienced Corby Kliendienst. Even though opportunities upfront kept coming for the Caspers, we just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net and it wasn’t too much longer before the referee gave away another soft penalty just outside of the box. The Joeys Striker was once again able to put it past the, um, ‘oh so slightly reliable’ goalkeeper Desie Walls.

Ten minutes before half time you could see that the side was beginning to feel fatigued, and due to this the Joeys were able to string together a few easy passes and slot in another goal. After a heavy fall of rain and a closely contested game, the whistle blew for half time leaving the Caspers down 3-0. Half time talk from Coach BJ was positive. He knew his side wasn’t out of the game yet and told us to keep stringing together passes and that the opportunities would soon come.

Play began in the second half, and just like in the first half, the Caspers started brilliantly. Our plays were great, our passing was great and so was the talk on the field. All of this led to more shots on goal only to just miss. It just wasn’t our day as everything was just going against this strong soccer side. Adding to this was ANOTHER PENALTY outside of the Caspers box, to which, you guessed it, a Joeys striker found the back of the net putting it past the, um, ahhhh, ‘oh so slightly, maybe reliable’ keeping of Desie Walls. 4-0 down, the Caspers were starting to become a little frustrated because they knew they didn’t deserve to be this far down. A few words were being expressed on the field between the two teams. This led to a loss in concentration and a lack of game playing by both sides. Perhaps we need to keep a bucket of ice on the sideline to help the Casper hot heads keep COOL, calm and collected. 

As fatigue started to set in once again, some of the Caspers players dropped- quite literally. There were players down everywhere with cramps, it looked like there had been a sniper take some of our men out. Even those who didn’t have cramps and were just stuffed were down. Yes, I was the main offender for this and all I can say is I am very thankful to have an Ambulance Officer/Paramedic/Loud mouth Murray Harman in our supporting group as one day I may need him. 

Shortly after play resumed, a goal kick taken by Steve Kliendienst took a turn for the worse as a Caspers defender (not naming names) had a bad bounce to which the ball deflected off his shin and into a Joeys Striker who ran away to the goals to put yet another goal past our ‘not so reliable’ goalkeeper Desie Walls (Just joking Desie, we know you played a great game and it would have been 50-0 if anyone else was keeping but you). 

This left the score 5-0 with only a few minutes to go and this would be the score at the end of the match. This was a hard game for the Caspers, as they played some of their best ever soccer, but due to a penalty count which was like ‘100-0’ going the Joeys way, led the opposition to a win. If the Caspers can play like this every week, give away less penalties and get a touch fitter, then there is no reason to why we can’t be in the finals at the end of the season. This weekend we look forward to taking on East Armidale at Doody Park in Armidale. 

Tyrone Clough

Second grade

Well the 2014 season has started and with a new look second grade side, plenty of youth, a few old heads, an abundance of players and the year looks promising.  Guyra started their campaign well against Inverell with both good attack and defence but it was Inverell who got on the board first after scoring directly off a corner leaving Liam Surawski no chance.

Guyra weren’t without their chances narrowly missing a few attempts on goal with speedster Brodie Harman and debutante Jake Ellis, who will be a handful with a few games under his belt, continually applying pressure with no reward. Half time come and went with Coach Col telling the team to remain confident and stick to the basics they would be rewarded, and that they were after some good pressure applied saw Inverell come up with the mistake giving Jake Ellis his first ever goal in grade soccer but surely not his last.  

The game then went to and fro but it was Inverell who gained the ascendency going to a 2 -1 lead which could have easily been more if it wasn’t for the rock defence of new comer Mark Evers and Rodney Wark, who look to have formed a formidable combination at the back.  Guyra then held Inverell at bay after a barrage of shots and should be proud of their first game even in defeat.  With a lot of these players coming straight from 14s and 16s and some coming off years of not playing soccer,  with the skill level and fitness that was shown, the sky is the limit.

Points Mark Evers 3, Rodney Wark 2 and Luke Brazier, Jake Ellis and Liam Surawski 1.  Next week’s game is Guyra versus East Armidale at Doody Park.  Bus leaves at 11.45am from the Bottom Pub.

Col Stanley