The Trafalgar Victory FC Under 16 Boys have progressed to the LVSL Preliminary Final and are the first of the Victory teams to do so in season 2017. Both the Senior Men and Senior Women have their opportunities to do the same tomorrow when they take on Traralgon City and Newborough respectively.
The TVFC Under 16s won today’s Elimination Final by a score line of 2-1 against the inform team from Traralgon. It wasn’t a great start to the match, from a Trafalgar perspective, with City breaking through the Trafalgar defensive four and scoring only minutes into the match.
To the boy’s credit they kept their heads up high and worked hard at the contest. It was only a matter of minutes later that the score line was even once again at 1-1, following a lovely combination of passing into the box which was finished off superbly by Nic Tammes on his left foot.
Nic’s goal was just the tonic for the team who were well and truly back into the match. The ball movement was great and the midfield of Tobby Budd, MIchale Judd and Jacob Holmes was in control. These three lads pin balled passes around generating considerable space and numerous scoring opportunities. Toby’s running was at its best generating relentless pressure. Michaels’ turns, ball control and accurate passing was excellent. Jacob’s mesmerising turns and tricks kept the opposition guessing and the supporters well entertained.
Defensively the lads kept a good line and caused numerous off side calls from the independent linesman (what a luxury are the official linesmen!). Stuart Beckley lead the defensive charge and was ably supported by Hill End premiership Footballer and TVFC Best and Fairest Lachlan Smith.
The half time score read Trafalgar 1 – Traralgon 1. A fitting score to an even contest. AT the half time break Coach Mark urged his players for a repeat of endeavour and effort in the second half.
The second half was similar to the first, with both teams having to work extremely hard to generate forward entries. Both defensive units were on top however it was the creative passing in the final third that made Trafalgar the more dangerous of the two teams. Striker Logan Winter worked hard all day, laid off some super passes to his team mates and had several shots on goal himself. Whilst scoreless at the end of the day, if was one of his best games of the season for work rate and team play.
Just when the match looked destined for extra time and even penalties, up stepped Joshua Porter. Josh was presented with a ball that rolled to him at a range of approximately 40 metres. He wound up, kept his head over the ball and launched the best strike ever seen at the Trafalgar grounds. The ball shot from his boot like a rocket and curled beautifully into the top left corner of the net. There is no senior keeper who could have laid a hand on this shot. It was pure gold!
The game breaker sent the Trafalgar players and supporters alike into a frenzy. The lads realised that they had witnessed a pretty special moment in local sport and defended grandly to hold off the fast finishing Traralgon City.
The defensive group worked exceptionally hard to keep the City team scoreless in the second half. Monty Rahama defended grandly and Lachlan Burke repetitively won contest after contest to keep his opponent well in check.
A most deserving victory for the Trafalgar lads who played their best game of the season when it counted most, that being the finals.
Goal Scorers: Nic Tammes 1 & Joshua Porter 1
BKs Award: Josh Porter
Jump & Climb Award: Jacob Holmes
Better players: Joshua Porter, Monty Rahama, Logan Winter, Nic Tammes, Jacob Holmes, Michael Judd, Tobby Budd, Stuart Beckley, Lachlan Smith & Lachlan Burke.
