Match Reports

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GRAND FINAL 

A very special thank you to Bevan Colless for writing the match reports for the Grand Finals

Firsts

Dundas 0 Vs Toongabbie 0

(Toongabbie won 5-3 on corners).

This was a big day in the Annals of the Toongabbie Demons soccer club. After years of struggling in the lower half of the Premier League table they had embarked on an ambitious off-season spending spree. They recruited heavily from the recently folded Winston Hills and if rumours are correct, pilfered players from local nightclubs and bars. They had finished the season as minor premiers are were keen to top their season off as Grand Champions for the first time in the club's long and rather depressing history. Dundas were also under pressure to deliver both 1st and reserves title in the same year back to Curtis Oval for the first time, in the long and distinguished history of the proud club.

Considering the strength, size and ability of the two Toongabbie central defenders, it was no surprise that Toongabbie had built their season on defence, having conceded just 13 goals all year. Injury and the absence of players, most notably the Goalkeeper, "Hollywood" who was still struggling to shake his neck injury, had hit Dundas's grand final line-up. With Hollywood starting on the bench, the team's chief source of goals this year, Raffaele Scognamiglio was forced back into his goal-keeping role. Goals were always going to be scarce in this match-up.

The first half was played very cautiously with both teams feeling each other out and the bulk of the match played in the midfield. Defenders were being kept behind the ball and there was not a clear-cut chance in the half. Toongabbie went into the break ahead 5-2 on corners, which translated into a 0.5 goal lead, under the Granville association's archaic rules.

The second half produced some more enterprising football, with both teams becoming increasingly desperate to finish the match in regulation time. The last 20 minutes of the second half was played predominantly in Dundas's half with only some desperate defending from Mr 150%, Brett Draper, keeping the Demons scoreless. In the 72nd minute the crowd was quiet as the Dundas keeper landed awkwardly after a mid air challenge with a Toongabbie attacker, and appeared to suffer a shoulder injury. However Raff confirmed he was able to continue on in his role as keeper. With hindsight it may have been better for Dundas if he were forced up-front, as his strike power was being sorely missed.

In the 73rd minute Dundas coach Aaron Beasley threw in the skilful midfielder John Caruana, who had recently returned from international duties, for Striker Ross Sleigh, who had looked to be in good touch, in a move that raised a few eyebrows in the Dundas faithful. In the last few minutes of regulation time Dundas had a golden chance for a dramatic winner with a well constructed move involving Mark Eyre, Scott Tozar, Graeme Atchinson and Jason Parilla, before a top save from the Toongabbie keeper denied Leon Hall from close range.

Raff was pushed up front at the short break, with Lindsay Brown making way for Hollywood to make his return between the sticks. The change in Dundas's attack was noticeable with a late penalty appeal denied after a body check on Raff in the box. This turned out to be the last chance for Dundas as the final whistle blew; the scores remained at 0-0. The crowd denied the excitement of a penalty shootout due to Granville Association considering themselves above FIFA and counting corners, which the Demons maintained their 5-3 lead. Toongabbie had ground out the victory they probably deserved, considering their impenetrable defence.

Reserves

DUNDAS 4 Vs PENDLE HILL 0

Bevan Colless, 26, 83; John Halliday 63; Matt Wotten, 71.

Dundas had met Pendle Hill 4 times already this year, with the mighty Blue and White victorious on each occasion. Dundas had enjoyed a similar dominance in 2000, before Pendo responded with and against the odds win in the Grand Final. The Dundas faithful were no doubt wary of putting a polish on their successful season, in which they had won all of their games bar a draw and a loss against their bogey team, Toongabbie. They were also determined to abolish the painful memories of last year.

The match began very tightly with Pendle Hill attacking Dundas on the right through their pacey midfielder 'Ali' cutting through the Dundas defence. Pendle Hill received a free kick just outside the box in a similar position as two weeks earlier, when Billy beat Raff in the bottom left corner. Billy stepped up again a slammed it into the bottom left, but this week Raff was equal to the task and produced an excellent save. Dundas's defence soon after tightened up, with James McClean leading the charge, producing some top tackles to turn Defence into attack. After one of these challenges James released the ball to an inventive John Halliday, who was playing in his best form of the year who turned outside his man and released Bevan on the right. Colless then shrugged off two defenders and beat the keeper on his back post with a powerful shot from wide out, sending the crowd on the hill into raptures and Dundas into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half began with Dundas continuing to produce the good football from the last 20 minutes of the first half, and producing many chances. J.H was released by an excellent long throw from the Dundas keeper and broke away from his defender and calmly slotted it past a prone Pendo keeper, proving just reward for H's top game. Darius Turner was then sacrificed in the 70th minute after playing a strong game, for the ever-reliable Phil Poulton, as coach Raff looked to sew up the Dundas defence. Matt Wotten then exploded down the left side and thumped it into the back corner, as he had done so many times throughout the year.

With Dundas 3-0 up the keeper/coach Raff smelt goals and put himself up front, and was soon in the thick of the action, beating 3 players and crossing in low from the left, setting up Bevan for his brace, which he slotted past the keeper first time. Many Pendo players then lost their cool and began chopping everything in sight, and trying to rile any Dundas player who wanted to listen to them. Raff was ruthlessly hacked down when clear on goal, just outside the box earning the Pendo chopper a dishonourable discharge for his trouble. The ever-reliable Pendo No. 4, Dallas, chipped in with his expected yellow card after some choice sledging from the experienced Dundas defender Gary Standen. The final whistle couldn't come soon enough for Pendle Hill, as if the game had gone on for another 40 minutes they would have had 4 players left on the pitch and conceded 15 goals.

The end result was a true reflection of the game and the season as right from the start of the year, this Dundas outfit had an indestructible air to it.

Congratulations to all the players, the Coach, Manager and supporters on a top year!!

 

Semi Finals Week Two

Firsts

Dundas 2 vs Pendle Hill 1

Scorers: Atcho, Raff (Golden Goal)

In the dawn of time, long, long ago, there were two soccer teams. These two teams were sworn enemies, their fierce rivalry dating back to the day when Dundas claimed the princely unicorn as its figurehead and Pendle Hill were left to settle for the mainstream and monotonous tiger as a source of inspiration. These were the days when there were no DVD's, EFTPOS or internet porn sites. A time when it was rumoured that Mark Eyre last scored a goal. This age old rivalry still must go on - and yesterday at Webbs Avenue Number One proof of its existence was unquestionably discovered.

Similarly to olden times, when players would bustle off the trams and push through the turn-stiles on their way to the ground, yesterday the players steamed foam and let out obscenities as they encountered the confusion of the merry go round car park that seemed virtually inescapable. Once inside the ground Pendle Hill players gave their Dundas foes icy stares, although some suggested they were simply trying to mentally undress the more attractive Dundas heroes as they strolled into the dressing sheds with their flashy flano shirts and designer thongs. Needless to say, the ancient rivalry of these foes could be smelt in the air, as both sides prepared to do battle on the most heroic and dangerous stage the world is ever likely to see - Webbs Avenue Soccer Oval Field One.

At the commencement of the game both battalions of players lined up and stared into each others loathing eyes. The story must be told of how great the competition between these two sides is - a competition serious enough to turn even brother and brother against one another. Legend has it that the Duffy brothers, who were both on hand to witness yesterdays encounter, have not spoken a breath of word to one another since they both pledged allegiance to seperate sides in this epic battle. Shawn Duffy, on the victorious Dundas side, and Bruce Duffy of Pendle Hill did not even acknowledge each others existence yesterday, such is the intensity of this fierce and often bitter rivalry.

Once the game (as it can be loosely called) began it was clear that the evenness of both sides would make the encounter a close one. However not even the strength of the Mighty Unicorn could prevent Pendle Hill's first goal early in the second half. The first half of the game was a scrappy affair with the wind so strong that several large trees were torn from the ground and flew over the field as if they were the feathers of a canary. Scores of the crowd on hand to watch this crucial clash were killed and several hundred people were wounded as the wind picked people up and smashed them into the rock hard battlefield where Dundas were taking on age old challengers Pendle Hill. But not even the ailing forces of nature could detract from the strength and skill of these warriors who battled for corners and free kicks. At half time Pendle Hill had the advantage of corners, which were awarded and recorded by the Seven Gods of Soccer in the Sky.

After much blood had been spilt and many limbs had been torn from the players bodies, the Seven Gods of Soccer made the holy decision to award a penalty kick to the courageous Dundas side. With little time remaining in the game the Giant Grehame Atchinson, who was as wide as three Elephants and twice as tall blasted the ball past the Pendel Hill goalkeeper who stood in awe of the Giants size. So it was, at the end of this great encounter, that neither side could be seperated by goals, and the county lawmen and city leaders decided that the game must continue until a winner was declared.

As the sun came down on this hallowed battlefield supercoach Aaron had a rush of blood to his brain and made the legendary decision to take from goals the fast and wily Raffaele , who is said to have been created by the sandy desserts of Egypt from the seed of an olive tree, and place him in the sacred position of striker. It was not long before this decision had a dramatic effect on the proceedings, and the act of putting Raff in striker for the final minutes of the game may go down in history as a milestone in relations between Pendle Hill and Dundas. For it was Raffaele who would win this game in the blinking of an eye, and the heavens opened up and declared the Egyptian should take a kick from the penalty spot to decide the game. Dundas elder Crimmo, and Pendle Hill's version of Crimmo (the old bald bloke with glasses) watched on in wonder as the ball floated past the Pendle Hill goalkeeper to decide this struggle for supremacy.

And, as in ancient times, the Unicorn reigned supreme, with Dundas being declared the victors, and taking home the beer and the women, and thus ends this chapter in the epic tale of two sides, one from the Valley and one from the Hills.

Semi Finals Week One

Reserves

Dundas 1 vs Pendle Hill 1

(Dundas won 14 - 5 on corners after extra time was played)

Scorer: Dutchy

Reserve Grade went into the qualifying semi final knowing that they had already beaten Pendle Hill three times this season. However, they should have also relied on this game being a tough encounter, as Pendle Hill always seem to fight hard when they play Dundas. The first half was a reflection of this, both teams fighting hard for possession of the ball, but neither side really dominating up front.

Eventually Pendle Hill had a genuine chance on goal, but as usual Raff was on hand to make a spectacular save. This kind of goal keeping left the Pendo lads wondering how they could possibly score against this Dundas side. Dundas didn't dominate the midfield as much as they would have liked to in the first half, and Woody and Gaz were left to clean up some through balls. Tim was also solid at the back and James added an extra attacking option pushing up from the left hand side of the field.

Shortly after half time Pendle Hill managed to score a goal via a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box. This goal gave the Dundas lads the boot in the bum they needed and from then on the Dundas goal line never looked like being penetrated. The Dundas midfield began to lift immediately after this goal, with Bevan and Andy winning the 50/50 challenges in the middle of the park, and Darius and Matty Wooten doing well to win some corners by taking the ball down the flanks and towards the Pendo goal.

With only minutes remaining the often accidental hero Dutchy got his head to a lovely ball from Andy and scored the equaliser. This was costly to the Netherlands striker, who injured his nose at the same time as delivering the titanic blow to Pendle Hill's scorecard. The game was forced into extra time, and the Dundas lads had enough confidence and petrol in the tank to win the game on corners 14 to 5. Well done lads, take the confidence of this win into the Grand Final and you won't be beaten!

 

Firsts

Dundas 3 vs St Josephs 2

Scorers: Simon, Jason, Eyrey (Can you believe it? The old bugger finally got a goal!)

 

St Josephs first loss of the season was inflicted by the Dundas firsts over a month ago, and it seemed fitting that their last loss of the season should also come from the likes of the Valley boys. Simon got the show on the road with an early rocket that scraped past the St Josephs keeper. Maybe it was the funny hat that let the Joeys keeper down on this occassion, but Simon was certainly going to take the credit for a wondeful start to the game. The Dundas keeper, Raff, also gave an opinion on Simon's goal stating "I didn't see it - I was looking for a tree that I could have a leak on at half time".

With the game now well under way it was up to St Joeys to reply - and thats exactly what they did. Lazy marking through the midfield allowed the opposition to equalise with a spectacular shot that always had Raff beaten. Fortunately the Dundas boys did not let this equaliser get them down. Jason Parilla and Eyrey both scored before St Josephs mounted a late comeback and slotted a goal for themselves. Mark Eyre was very please with his goal/deflection, as it is the first goal the Dundas defender has scored in the last Seventy Two years. When his sons were asked if they could believe that their Dad had finally slotted one they simply replied "piss off....pull the other one" - the Eyre legend lives on.

The win against St Joeys sees the Dundas Firsts play Pendle Hill this weekend in what is sure to be a close and spiteful match. Go the Prems!