The Trafalgar Victory FC Under 14 team traveled to sunny Bairnsdale to complete the 2016 home and away season with their clash against East Gippsland United FC Gold. Well most of the team made the journey with several players unwell and a few being caught out by the last minute change of venue move by the league. So the playing list fell from fourteen down to nine on game day, but it didn’t stop the team from playing well and kicking a bag of goals on the day.
The Trafalgar team had plenty of time and space to pay the game on their terms. With such a luxury, the boys played high percentage and intelligent football. All players had great first touch and found space upon the narrow West Bairnsdale pitch. Despite being two players short, the Trafalgar team passed well and managed to create easy options all over the pitch. It was as if they were the team with extra numbers.
The red and white boys attacked the forward third extremely well and Nic Tammes was provide excellent service as the central striker. Nic played a great game and generated several shots on goal. He opened the account for Trafalgar and was ably supported by Michael Judd who contributed to a further two goals himself from central midfield. The first was via a corner kick that deflected off an EGUFC defender for an own goal. The second came via a penalty after he was “stomped” upon in the box. Hardy Kenny also chipped in to score form the midfield. The half time scoreline read Trafalgar 4 – EGUFC 0.
In the second half Nic Tammes cashed in on his opportunities up front to score a further two goals, to take his tally to three for the match. Had it not been for an offside call he would have ended the match with four goals following a superb flick over from Michael Judd which he coolly slipped past the goal keeper, easily play of the day (had it been onside).
With the scoreline clearly in favour of Trafalgar, coach Mark rearranged the forward line to give his reliable backline a run up front. Whilst there were some different faces up front it was the same outcome. Both the Ibbotson twins provide great service upon the wings and now central striker, Jackson Clerks, filled up his pockets with goals with a dominant fifteen minute display. Jackson thoroughly enjoyed each of this three goals and made excellent position in each case. His third and final goal was the crowd favourite as he confidently chipped the east Gippsland keeper (who played an amazing game in goals) on his left from the top of the box. The goal brought every Trafalgar player and supporter to their feet.
Whilst the strikers got most of the accolades for their excellent performance, the defensive unit played really well also. Defender Drew O’Brien continued his excellent run of form and made numerous clearing runs. Aedan Rothmeier played a superb game at left back and provided a great pressure for the entire match. Aedan’s clearance of the ball and delivery to midfielder Hardy Kenny was superb. Hardy too played a very skilful and entertaining match. Always the crowd pleaser, Hardy dived, rolled and turned his way through each and every contest, much to the pleasure of all parents and supporters. Such is the versatility of Hardy he even played goalie at the end of the match to release Luke Ibbotson up the pitch for a run on the ground.
By the games end Trafalgar has won the contest 9-0. A convincing score line indeed. The team played a great game, especially given they were undermanned, and thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Bairnsdale. The EGUFC club once again were a delightful host. Whilst it is a long day of junior soccer, the home team are always welcoming and it’s a pleasure to play at their club, win, lose or draw.
This week it was too difficult to award just one BK team player award, so we might set up a contest at training to see who gets this week’s voucher.
Congratulations to the team upon finishing 6th in the 13 team division. This season the team has won 9 matches, lost 5 and drawn 1. The best record of all teams at Trafalgar Victory FC this season, well done to the entire team. We now set our sights on the final series where we will play the 3rd placed team, Traralgon City Black, the venue for this match is yet to be determined.
