They say “A week’s a long time in football”. Well, I’m not so sure about its relevance to the LVSL Under 16 Boys completion. However, the difference between the performance from the TVFC Under 16 Boys from last week to this week was enormous.
Whilst this week’s 6-3 win over Traralgon City wasn’t anywhere near a perfect performance, it was in stark contrast to last week’s dismal showing against Monash.
The team have started well in all of their four matches to date. Once again it took only a matter of minutes before gun striker Logan Winter hit the scoreboard following a calm finish against the City keeper, one on one. It’s amazing what an early goal can do to the confidence of both teams. Trafalgar played out the first half in total control, whilst Traralgon spent most of the opening session of the game trying to get the ball back off the Victory.
One of the stand out differences from the previous match was the total domination of the midfield by Toby Budd. Toby controlled all ball movement through the centre of the ground. He initiated numerous attacking deliveries to his strikers and forced countless turn overs through outstanding pressure upon his direct opponent. Toby literally set the standard for both pressure and work rate.
It wasn’t long after the opening goal that Logan linked up with the midfield again to provide a sublime pass into the box to his fellow striker Nic Tammes. Nic had to work hard simply to get to the ball before the keeper, and to his credit met the challenge head on to score an impressive goal. At this point in the game the Trafalgar lads were looking the goods and playing some really nice ball.
First year player Kai Kondo was in the starting line-up this week. His excellent left foot was being put to effective use along the left wing. Kai grasped his opportunities to start the match with both hands. He was desperate, energetic and totally committed to his duties on the day. Kai played like a young man who had something to prove, and indeed he did. He tackled ferociously literally using every part of his body, face include, to move the ball Trafalgar’s way. He made several great runs down the wing and capped off a great first half with his first goal of the season. Just how Kai managed to get the ball through nearly a dozen players, nobody knows. What we do know is that Kai enjoys a goal, and so did his team mates and coach. It was great reward for great effort.
Logan also found the net a second time in the first half courtesy of a well placed curling free kick which bent around the Traralgon wall and gave the keeper absolutely no hope. At the half time break it was Trafalgar 4 – Traralgon 0.
The second half started just as the first had ended. The team was in total control and the goals were flowing. There were some amazing highlights. Long shots hitting the cross bar, some amazing passing, some superb one on one play and plenty of exceptional team play. The boys were really enjoying playing together.
The injured duo of Michael Judd and Calum Stewart both spent limited time on the ground. But their amazing skills and accurate passing certainly made a difference when on the pitch. The team looks far more balanced and indeed attacking when these two player are on song.
Josh Porter played a really strong match. He is rarely beaten one on one which makes him an extremely valuable member of the team. His versatility also allowed Toby and other midfielders to have a short break on the bench also. The ever reliable central defenders in Stuart Beckley and Lachlan Smith, covered the City attackers really effectively for the majority of the match. Both boys created some great run and drive from the centre of the backline and linked up exceptionally well with the midfield.
It must be said that Traralgon City did fight the match out, when it would have been tempting to throw in the towel. At the 53 minute mark of the match, following two more goals from Logan Winter (giving him 4 for the match); one where he bamboozled an off balanced keeper and the other where he controlled and converted an amazing long ball from Josh Porter, Traralgon City were facing a 6-0 defeat. To their credit the City scored three times in less than 10 minutes. The tone of the game changed and the City boys were up and about sensing an unlikely upset in the wind. However, once Trafalgar got their experienced team back on the park and started to win the midfield again the challenge was all but over. The Victory had won convincingly 6-3.
There were so m any highlights to this match it is impossible to describe them all in a report. A special mention goes to Logan and Michael for their deceptive step over free kick and to keeper Josh Rothmeier who did his Neuer goal keeper shirt proud with an amazing full stretched save.
All up a great game which sees Trafalgar Victory 3 wins and 1 draw for the season to date.
BK Award: Jacob Holmes
Jump & Climb Award: Logan Winter
Better players: Toby Budd, Logan Winter, Kai Kondo, Josh Porter, Jacob Holmes & Stewart Beckley
