Football Matters with Cyclops

A good weekend for the Panthers, winning three and losing two of the five matches played. On Saturday, at home to Estates the Premiers won 3-1 but the Reserves lost 0-1. On Friday, in Townsville the Ladies beat Saints Eagles Souths 8-0, the Division 1 Men lost 1-3 to Olympic but the Division 2 Men beat Warriors 3-1.

This week the Premiers and Reserves are at away to Brothers, the Premiers at 7.30 and the Reserves at 5.30. On Wednesday night the Ladies, are at home to Wulguru at 7.00 and on Friday are away to Brothers at 6.30. Also, on Friday the Division 1 Men and Division 2 Men are in Townsville. The Division 1 take on Brothers at 8.30 and the Division 2 are up against Saints Eagles Souths at 6.30.

Night Soccer kicks off its 46th year on Tuesday 9th September.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers had a must-win clash against competition leaders Estates to keep their top-four hopes alive. The Panthers delivered when it mattered most, overcoming Estates 3-1 in a determined display. Burdekin started brightly, creating a couple of early half chances, but as the half wore on, Estates began to make life more difficult. The best chance of the opening period fell to Matthew Kolb, who found himself one-on-one with the keeper but couldn’t convert. Moments later, Jack Gimson broke in behind the defence and whipped in a perfect cross, for Kolb to rocket home his header to give Burdekin a 1-0 lead at the break.

Burdekin came out firing in the second half, and in the 55th minute, Jay Leckenby doubled the advantage with a composed finish after latching onto another well-weighted ball over the top. The pressure continued, but despite several good efforts, the elusive third goal didn’t come. Estates pulled a goal back with just two minutes to play, setting up a tense finish. But after relentless pressure from Oscar Licciardello, Elliott Dal Santo pounced to fire home and seal a vital 3-1 win for the Panthers, keeping their finals dream well and truly alive.

Reserves

Burdekin Tyre Service Reserves were out to avenge a heavy defeat from the last time they played Estates. Also on the line was the chance to stay in the race for a finals berth. A very committed effort from the start showed that Burdekin were a force to be reckoned with and created some good opportunities that did not yield a goal. The standard of play was very much improved from the home team and confidence was high going into halftime even though the match was still scoreless.

The second half was the same as the first, the Panthers dominated possession and played good football but could not convert one of several good chances into goals. As the clock wound down the pressure to score and get a win meant playing with more attack and in the last few minutes Estates scored a cheap goal on the counterattack. The Panthers played well with plenty of heart but the inability to put the ball in the net was the difference. The win that was desperately needed, and would have been deserved, did not result.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Division 1 men lost 1-3 to MA Olympic in Townsville on Friday night.

Division 2 Men

The C.A. Contracting Funkies had a 3-1 win against Warriors on Friday night. Missing over two hundred years of experience with a few players missing, a very young Funkies team suited up knowing a win would move them into 4th place. Burdekin started very well, Nicholas Cathcart opening the scoring after only a few minutes. Warriors replied soon after to show they were up for the fight. However, the Funkies were the better team on the night and two goals to Fengil either side of half time gave Burdekin a very good win.

Missing several key players, it was an opportunity for others to step up and have an impact on this game. In a strong team performance Heath Swindley and Jarrod Dal Santo in the middle along with the finishing ability of Fengil ensured the Funkies got the three points on the night. Burdekin are now 4th and have their finals hopes in their own hands with only three games remaining.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies scrambled together before their annual ladies day event, sacrificing wet tan, fresh hair and fake nails to secure another victory. The ladies come up against tough opposition in Saints who were very quick to press and defend, However, speed and experience worked to the advantage of the Burdekin who won 8-0. There was some very impressive shooting and runs made by many players in a well-deserved win. Goal scorers were Sienna Lago, Zandi Bonanno, Brielle Astorquia, Charley Ruskin, Karina Guglielmi and Ellyana Mugica. This was a strong effort from the ladies going into a tough must win game this Friday!!

Juniors

Another perfect day for Saturday juniors, with Townsville teams travelling down for some good matches against our local teams. Not too many weeks to go now, enjoy the rest of the season!

Masters

Another good turnout on a winter’s evening, perfect for Soccer. Italy hung on to beat England 5-3 after leading 4-0 at half time. Helped somewhat by the England goalkeeper caught on the phone. Monday Nights at 6.30. Be There!

National and International

The Matildas are playing in the ASEAN Women’s Championship in Vietnam. In their first Group game, last Thursday against Myanmar they lost 1-2 but last Sunday they beat the Philippines 1-0. They next play Timor-Leste on Wednesday. The Socceroos next games are not until September when they play New Zealand in two friendlies home and away, on 5th and 9th of September.

The Quote of the Week is from Jose Mourinho, ex Chelsea, ManU and Real Madrid manager, “Pressure? What pressure? Pressure is poor people in the world trying to feed their families. There is no pressure in football.”

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