Football Matters with Cyclops

A reasonably good weekend for the Panthers. They played three matches against Warriors and two against Brothers. On Sunday, at home to Warriors the Premiers won 2-0 and the Reserves won 2-1. On Friday night the Colts defeated Warriors 2-1 in Townsville, but the Division 2 lost 2-3 to Brothers. The Division 1 match against Brothers was forfeited.

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This week, all five teams are away! On Sunday, the Premiers and Reserves play MA Olympic at 5.00 and 3.00 and on Friday, the Division 1 play Saints Eagles Souths at 7.30. The Colts also meet Olympic, at 6.30 and on Thursday night the Division 2 Funkiesplay Saints Eagles Souths at 6.30.

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Premiers – Ayr Anzac Club

The Premiers, in third place needed a win to keep their momentum going for the finals. Warriors were a very physical team from the outset, and it was no surprise when they gave away an early penalty which Matthew Kolb duly converted. Burdekin were the better team in the first half and led 2-0 at half time after Jay Leckenby scored late in the half. The Panthers had a number of chances in the second half but without managing another goal. At the other end good goalkeeping and strong defending kept Warriorsscoreless. A good win for the Panthers who stay in third place a point behind Olympic who they play next week in Townsville.

Reserves – Burdekin Tyre Service

A much better day weather-wise then last week saw the Panthers in a battle for outright second place on the table against Warriors. Burdekin were determined to make the most of the home game but were up against a determined Warriors side, particularly through the first 15 minutes of the game. Warriors had a lot of possession but did not create many chances to test the goalkeeper. After the initial onslaught, the Panthers settled into a better rhythm and played some good football. Against the run of play a series of defensive errors saw Warriors score first after 22 minutes. This served to galvanise the Burdekin and within four minutes Kyle Taylor had a chance from the top of the box and put the ball in the net over the keeper. The game see-sawed with Warriors not creating much trouble, but the Panthers squandering chances for goals. At half-time the assessment was that whichever team kept their head would prevail. The Reserves kept their composure, started to exert their dominance, and were rewarded with another goal, in the 63^rd minute, from Kyle Taylor, on the end of some excellent teamwork. The game then became a scramble for the Panthers to keep the lead and at full time, a well-earned win, cementing a position for the finals race at the end of the season.

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Division 2 - RG Customs

Division 2 had a tough match on Friday night against 2nd placed Brothers. Burdekin started very well when Krishneel Singh beat the Brothers keeper with a great finish after only four minutes of play. This excitement was short lived with Brothers equalisingin the very next minute of play. In a very even and competitive first half it took an absolute wonder strike from Bryce Davies to give the Funkies a 2-1 lead at half time. Brothers came out strongly in the second half and soon equalised before taking a 3-2 lead with twenty minutes left in the match. Burdekin pushed hard for further goals, but it was not to be with Brothers holding on for a 3-2 win. A disappointing result for the Funkies given the effort and goals scored in probably their best game of the season so far. Burdekin now face Saints Eagles Souths on Thursday night and must get a result to stay in the fight for a finals place. 

Quote the of the Week is from ex-Spurs defender Terry Naylor “I’m one of the best defenders in the country. Trouble is, we play in a lot of towns.”

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