Now surely we cannot complain about the weather last Saturday which saw us receive some much needed precipitation; it was, however, not a very nice day to continue the football season here in Guyra.
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Coming down to the final couple of rounds of the season we are certainly looking forward to our older junior sides once again featuring in finals football. The Under 12 Dragons, Titans and under 16 Pumas should all feature in the finals series this year. I am certainly looking forward to watching them compete at the business end of the season.
Those Thirsty Thirds were once again on display up here in Guyra last week with a dominant display against, it must be noted, an understrength under 19 DK side. Taking out this match 15–3, the Thirsties were well in control of the match; up 7–0 at half time playing against only nine DK opposition.
Two quick goals after the break from the Armidale side due to the ineptitude of one of the older and less mobile Guyra players saw him quickly replaced by an increasingly frustrated team captain, which then steadied the Guyra team. Guyra regained the ascendancy with a plethora of goals; most of these were produced by Mr Thomas Starr who was ruthless up front.
Looking a little like a cherubic school girl at a Sunday picnic in his knee length white socks, Thomas feasted on a steady diet of goals adding six throughout the game for his side.
Picking up his conversion rate over the past couple of weeks was Addie Mendes who added four goals with several long range attempts. Matt Kennedy and Stevie McElroy added two goals each, with young Randy Mulligan stepping up to the spot and calmly sliding the ball past the goal keeper to round out the scoring.
Good in defence were: Hayden ‘I’m not a left back I’m a sweeper’ Raper, Brett ‘Sparra’ Little and Peter ‘that’s not the Rock I am the Rock’ Presnell.
The under 16 Pumas were up against a DK side ravaged by, it would seem, sickness and the rigours of long distance travel arriving in Guyra last Saturday with only eight players at their disposal. Not the greatest way to lead into a finals series for the Pumas who usually revel in those closer games where the competition is of a higher standard.
Hopefully a close, hard fought game this coming Saturday for the final round against Walcha will ready them for the knock out rounds of finals football.
Scoring 10 goals over the course of the match the Pumas were still a little disjointed in their attack. Scoring this week for the Pumas were: Cody Martin 4, Brodie Harman 3, Casey Lennon 1, Vincente Abayan 1 and Darcy Jackson 1.
Cody Martin was absolutely sensational on Saturday for the Pumas and was clearly the best on field for his side being awarded 3 points. Others to play well were Casey Lennon on 2 points, with Kyle Stewart and Brodie Harman getting a point each.
This side will certainly need to lift over the next couple of weeks as we move into the finals.
A fantastic 2–1 win for the under 12 Guyra Titans who were also up against a TAS side down on numbers. Perhaps we need a new sign at the top roundabout coming out of Armidale stating that Guyra is only actually 38km away, not that far really one would think.
The first half goal was nicely constructed with Taylor Brennan crossing the ball into the corner of the net from out wide after holding off several defending players. The Titans knocked the ball around okay but appeared a little down on their normal form.
Taylor added a second goal after a fantastic ball from live wire Sarah Rosten, which his paternal grandma I think actually saw. Points this week were awarded to Taylor Brennan 3, Bennie Lennon and goalie Kealia Hope 2, with Carly Harman and Braden Crawford sharing a point each.
I have not been able to track down the coach of the under 12 Dragons this week. I think he is working on a new rail trail sausage roll just in case things get up and going.
Our under 10 Grizzleys played against a North Armidale side last week and once again were a little short on numbers. Thanks very much for Jack Lockyer and Ben Reinke for filling in and really showing their enthusiasm after coming up from the under 8s.
Ricky Nutt and Aaliyah Johnston were the pick of the actual Grizzleys side with this team coming together nicely for next year if they stick together.
Obviously not happy with the intrusion on his patch, a local Guyra Magpie was seen to have several swipes at coach Clough and several of the Guyra and North’s players. Now I wish I had seen that - not much keeps Tyrone down.
Well perhaps the magpie was at the wrong game with the Rockets taking on the DK Storm Birds; apparently birds of a feather don’t stick together. Charlie Wark was perhaps the Rockets best player just shading Harris Dullaway. Fletcher Richardson was again prominent with another great performance.
No news this week from the Gladiators. I did see a little of this game and the kids were certainly enjoying themselves, which of course is what it should be all about at this age, having fun with your mates.
Nothing to report this week from those Wiley under 8 Coyotes, perhaps they have given up on the road runner and did the Rockets a favour by chasing off the magpies.
With the Lil Caspers passing the ball around like teams in much higher grades, the coach was extremely pleased with their performance. Finlay Tibbs and Cooper Wilson had strong games setting up a number of attacking raids. Scoring goals for Guyra were: Cooper Brennan, Ben Reinke and Jack Lockyer.
Mr Craig Lockyer, this year’s Guyra Soccer Nets Coordinator, would like to thank all those coaches and parents who helped in putting up the nets and of course helping to take them down again. Your help was certainly much appreciated especially on those early cold Guyra winter mornings.
Nothing heard this week from the under 7 Geckos and Strikers. I did hear a little bit of news last week about the Geckos but it was a little too late for print unfortunately.
The Guyra Galaxy played last Saturday against South Armidale Starfish. In cold and wet conditions the Galaxy played really well and tried their absolute hardest throughout the entire game. With only a couple of games left to play, the Galaxy are certainly not finished with the improvements that they have shown all season.
A bye last week for the under 6 Sharks was certainly well received by this team after their first ever season of football here in Guyra. A chance to stay in out of the cold, watch old tapes and regroup for the rest of the competition.
Nothing heard this past week from the Hornets. I certainly hope that those pesky high school kids are not giving their coach, Mrs Linley Ryan too hard of a time of things. Knowing her however I am sure she will be fine.
The Ghosts are still showing great improvements so late in the season which is certainly a positive sign. Best this week for the Ghosts were Ethan Wilson, Ella Rainger and Rhiannon Heagney.
Another close encounter last week for the under 6 Giants with the three youngest members of the team really getting themselves involved in the play. Pacie Mulligan, Kayden Mulligan and Summer Tibbs were all fantastic last week for the Giants and certainly seemed to be having a lot of fun at the same time.
It is very quickly approaching folks, the annual Guyra United Soccer Club Junior Presentation day! Taking place this year at Cookies Guyra Hotel, the fun and frivolity will kick off at approximately 11:30am on Sunday, September 14 which is the day after junior soccer Grand Finals. Make sure that you have nothing else organised because from past experience you will certainly enjoy yourselves at the celebration of another fantastic year of football here in Guyra.
The draw for next week Saturday, August 30 is as follows:
Under 6: Guyra Hornets V Nth Armidale Fury – Rologas 9 at 09:00am, Guyra Sharks V Sth Armidale Seals – Rologas 4 at 09:00am, Guyra Giants V Walcha Strikers – Rologas 7 at 09:00am, Guyra Ghosts – bye.
Under 7: Guyra Galaxy V Uralla Cobras – Uralla 1 at 09:00am, Guyra Strikers V Uralla Wolves – Uralla 2 at 10:40am, Guyra Geckos – bye.
Under 8: Guyra Coyotes V DK Knights – Rologas 14 at 09:00am, Guyra Lil Caspers V Walcha Rabbits – Rologas 16 at 09:00am.
Under 9: Guyra Gladiators V Sth Armidale Sealions – Rologas 16 at 11:15am.
Under 10: Guyra Grizzleys V Walcha Cheetahs – Rologas 11 at 09:00am, Guyra Rockets V TAS Tornadoes – Rologas 13 at 09:00am.
Under 12: Guyra Titans V Nth Armidale Spirit – Rologas 1 at 10:00am, Guyra Dragons – bye.
Under 16: Guyra Pumas V Walcha Dragons – Rologas 2 at 08:30am.
Murray Harman