Baby giants and the views expressed herein are entirely my own

Well apparently they are getting one again this year. It is not just all fun and merriment though, with money this year being raised to support two local families with unwell children within our club. More details will be provided on Ladies Day next week.

Well, things are really starting to get interesting for the competitive aged groups in our New England junior soccer competition. 

Only two rounds remain for those grades from the under 12’s up before semi-finals begin, however, and you all know how I feel about this ridiculous situation; the younger age groups or those of a non-competitive nature have four rounds to go. 

These younger sides have had a very long year and it is becoming increasingly difficult to field a full team each week as the season drags on. I am pretty sure I saw one seven year old take off his goggles and swim fins to be able to put on his shin pads and boots on the weekend. I think this may be an indication that the season is perhaps becoming over long for these younger players. 

With two of our senior junior sides possibly on the sidelines during the finals period, then perhaps they should come down to the soccer fields regardless and support the under 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10’s, who will still be playing. 

I think somehow our illustrious organisers have at times got the cart before the horse. Perhaps those kids from the under 12’s up who don’t make the grade and reach the finals should just play on regardless, that makes about as much sense. 

The under 12 Rockets are an outside chance of making the semi-finals but will need everything to fall into place if they are to proceed to the championship rounds. Another side with a faint hope of playing semi-final football is the under 16 Pumas who are clinging to equal fourth place. Once again the soccer gods will need to be favourably inclined if the Pumas are to proceed further. 

The only Guyra side assuredly through to the knock out stages is the under 14 Tigons who currently hold down second position in their age group. Of course, all this information comes directly from the Armidale and District Soccer website which is currently not up to date. Hopefully our competitive sides are actually in a more solvent position as we go to press. 

I was lucky enough to be able to watch our little warriors at their best last Saturday and spent some time on the sideline at the under 6 and 7’s. One game to catch my eye was that of the under 6 Guppies who played some fantastic soccer, both in attack and defence all with a smile upon their dial. This was the case particularly with young Kayden Mulligan who went about her soccer with relish. 

I was witness to three great goals from Tom Graham with 1 and Idris Elyassa 2 before I had to leave the contest. I have been told that Tom added another goal, for the opposing side this time, DK were very thankful. 

Scoring her first goal of the season was an extremely excited Sophie Spradbrow with Gracie Rainger and Lily Rolf both having fantastic games.  

As mentioned previously, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain numbers so late in the season with the under 7 Hornets down last week to having only four players available. The Hornets fared somewhat better than their opposition who travelled away with a team of two prior to an influx at half time. Thanks to George Williamson who filled in for the opposition until their numbers levelled out somewhat. 

Tommy Ryan and George Bradford certainly were in a scoring frame of mind, notching up 6 goals each. The most exciting news of the day, of course, came from young Cody McLeod who scored the first goal of his career before adding a second for good measure later in the game. Player of the day was most assuredly Cody McLeod. 

An easy win for the Hornets, as I was told by a little Nth Armidale player after the game; so much for these youngsters not knowing about winning and losing. He appeared quite happy, not traumatized at all. What can they do? They can’t take away my birthdays. (*These views are neither condoned nor supported by the Guyra United Soccer Club Inc.)

Our little baby Giants, speaking of baby giants have you heard about Tanya and Hayden Raper’s new pet? A little baby Tibetan mastiff; I certainly hope they don’t bring it down to the soccer any time soon, it will eat not only a depleted under 7 team but I am sure most of the junior roster here in Guyra. I believe they have called it Fergie after Hayden’s hero. 

I digress somewhat; we were discussing the under 7 Giants who had a slow start to the game before coming home strong in the second half. Wyatt McGinty was welcomed into this side with open arms and it was positive to see him fitting in with this side so well. Caitlin Montague and Elizabeth Evers were the pick of the Giants last Saturday. 

A local derby was the order of the day for the under 8’s here in Guyra with the Guyra Galaxy taking on the Guyra Geckos. This was a very close game with the Galaxy playing some of their best soccer all season. It seems playing against kids that they know from around town certainly brought out the best in both these teams. 

Scoring for the Galaxy was Jessica Taylor with at least one goal being scored by Ethen Tribe from the Geckos after a fantastic long range shot. I am told this was Ethan’s first ever goal and he was very excited. I unfortunately am unable to elaborate on further goal scorers from either side but believe there were a few. 

Once again a large contingent of supporting parents and grandparents were on hand to witness an intriguing battle between the under 9 Lil Caspers and the DK Hobbits. Strong defence and scintillating attack were the order of the day with play seesawing from end to end. 

Jonathon Wilson found the back of the net with a long range attempt, his first ever junior career goal. Jack Lockyer with 3 and Cooper Wilson with 2 goals added to their season tally. A special mention to Oliver Flynn and Max, please don’t eat me puppy, Raper for their strong efforts throughout the game. 

Another very close game for the under 12 Rockets who came away from this one with a hard fought 2–1 win over DK Stormbirds. The Stormbirds went to an early lead after some fantastic goal keeping from their goalie denied Guyra’s every opportunity. Robert Sisson was able to equalise from the dot just prior to half time. 

With defence the code word of the day, both sides battled throughout the second half for ascendancy. Guyra had an opportunity from the spot to increase their lead, however this was again saved by the DK goalie. 

Apparently this was an incredible attempt by Kye Raper who was most assuredly player of the match for Guyra. Kye was an absolute machine in attack, the halves and in defence for his side. 

Marty Ryan, on loan from the under 10’s, played some outstanding soccer with Jake Wilson adding Guyra’s second after being put through and beating several of DK defenders with a brilliant goal. 

After the effort shown at training over the past couple of weeks from the under 14 Tigons, their win last Saturday came as somewhat of a surprise. Both Coaches Col and Adam have been spectacularly unimpressed with the Tigons’ effort and commitment. It is becoming increasingly difficult for these Coaches to front training only to have these players seemingly totally disregard their experience and effort.  

I know smacking is so last year and now totally frowned upon but a swift kick in the backside is perhaps what is required here and may produce a little thoughtful respect and better training ethics from the Tigons. 

Scoring for Guyra on the weekend was Craybob Hope, with points going to Carly Harman 3, Kealz Hope 2 and Matty Sisson 1. 

Consistency will have to be the catch cry of the under 16 Pumas this week with some fantastic team soccer interspersed throughout some totally uninspiring dross. When it was good it was brilliant when it was bad it was, well you know the rest. If the Pumas hold onto their structure and keep their passes short, early and firm with intent then they will trouble any side in this competition. 

A 2–1 win for the Pumas last Saturday against a depleted DK side, but this certainly does not take away from how good the Pumas were. Their two goals, one to Darcy Jackson and one to Cody Martin, were both set up after good team based soccer projecting the ball forward. The backs scrambled well at times with the forwards dropping well to assist when DK pressed our goal. 

Hopefully this side will make it through to the final stages of the year, they have shown an incredible amount of improvement as the year has progressed and will certainly worry some of the better teams in this competition. 

The draw for next Saturday, 22 August:

Under 6:  Guyra Guppies V East Armidale – Rologas 4 at 10:00am, Guyra Lazers V Ex Servies Wildcats – Rologas 7 at 10:00am, Guyra Cobras V DK Demons – Rologas 8 at 10:00am. 

Under 7:  Guyra Giants V Guyra Hornets – Guyra 2 at 10:50am. 

Under 8:  Guyra Geckos V Nth Armidale Pirates – Rologas 14 at 09:00am, Guyra Galaxy V Nth Armidale Crystals – Rologas 14 at 10:00am. 

Under 9:  Guyra Lil Caspers V DK Camelots – Rologas 15 at 10:00am, Guyra Coyotes V DK Kings – Rologas 15 at 10:50am. 

Under 10:  Guyra Gladiators V Uralla Jets – Uralla 5 at 09:30am. 

Under 12:  Guyra Rockets V TAS 12Bs – TAS Adamsfield at 11:15am. 

Under 14:  Guyra Tigons V East Armidale Green – Doody Park 2 at 10:00am. 

Under 16:  Guyra Pumas V TAS – TAS Adamsfield 08:30am. 

Murray Harman