Game 8 (24/5/08)
SCORERS: Rowe (2), Thompson, Smith
Better display from a more committed team today. Looked in control early with Kris getting a great team goal early. He followed up with a superb header to make it 2-0 within 15mins. Jimmy had a cross fumbled by the keeper to get our third before halftime. A few midfield changes and a more determined opposition saw us get a bit frantic, yet Josh coolly finished to put us 4-0 and out of their reach. Very impressed with the overall defence today. Still need to work at this to make sure the better teams don’t punish us for any sloppiness.
Best on field – Kris – Excellent finishing

Game 7 (17/5/08)
SCORERS: Rowe, Tamone
Not a good day, but good to have this loss now. Team disrupted due to Kurt (injured back) not starting, and Josh being subbed after 10 mins with breathing difficulty. This left Kris in the centre rather than his usual wide left position. We were up 1-0 though after 10mins via a great turn and strike by Kris saw the keeper stranded. Some sloppy defence saw them equalize, then a set piece before halftime saw them take the lead at halftime 1-2. Confusion in the defensive setup saw another goal to them just after halftime 1-3. Finally, a change in the middle with Kurt and Kris supported by Russell, changed the balance and put them on the back foot. First Adrian got through and rolled one into the corner 2-3, then Kurts header and Matty went close in the last 5 mins. But, we have to look at our setup against these quality teams and be smarter in our approach. Coach needs to get better prepared and make quicker adjustments before its too late.
Best on field – Jimmy – strong display all day

Game 6 (10/5/08)

SCORERS: Smith, Ramish, Rowe
Another game, another lesson to be learned. A team beaten 7-1 the week before is not a team to be taken lightly (especially when they had 2 players sent off). Probably the toughest team physically yet, with older and smarter, ethic based players trying to teach our boys a lesson. For the first half, we gave away easy balls, then fought hard to win it back. A scrappy arm wrestle, not help by an appalling pitch which made it look like beach volley ball rather than Superleague football. After an easy free kick goal from Josh in the first 10 mins, we struggled to get any quality ball. A set piece from them 30 secs out from half time saw them equalize 1-1 for half time. Our heads were not right in this game so we agreed to focus on the task at hand and made a bright start to the second half. Eventually we were rewarded with Tressie providing a ball for Kurt to put us ahead 2-1 with 15 to go. They then caught us out at the back and with the ball going out over the backline, but they played on and whipped back into play and into the net. 2-2. A defender off and attacker on, a change in keepers and Kris finally finished them off 3-2. Just. Lesson learned.
Best on field – No one really.

Game 5 (3/5/08)
SCORERS: Trescott, Kurt, Jimmy
A bit of rustiness from the layoff saw an early half chance from Beecroft squeeze inside the post for a shock 0-1 within 5 mins. This sparked the lads into action with Kurt and Tressie finishing fine individual shots, then Tressie setting up Jimmy for a great outside right foot shot to have the score 3-1 within 15 mins. Continued assault on their goals saw Matty and Josh denied by good keeping, then numerous other shots on target well kept out by their keeper. It seemed the floodgates would open, but Beecroft then scored from a corner against the run of play to give them a sniff at halftime 3-2. Again and again we opened them up, handballs and penalty claims were waived away by the ref as we continued to miss opportunities. One over the bar from 6 yards out, two or three tap ins squandered etc etc. And still Beecroft were there to spoil if we slackened off in defense. We were almost made to pay in the last 5 mins with Beecroft finishing poorly from 10 yards out. But we learn again, and need to be more clinical when the chances are presented or made.
Best on the field, Kurt and Trescott.

Game 2 (12/4/08)

SCORERS: Trescott, Rowe, Montgomery

First twenty minutes saw the best passages of play you could hope for. The score was 3-0 and the opposition was visibly shaken. The next 20 minutes saw about 2 or 3 sitters missed which would have adequately reflected the dominance we showed. Yet, in the middle of it all, you could see that Simmo’s second game as keeper was important to keep out that odd chance which could always turn the game. Half time 3-0. A few key subs were made after everyone was relaxed about the day. If one thing is to be learned from this level, is that any team is capable of scoring against you, least when you expect it. A two or three goal buffer is not a reason to relax. You have to take every opportunity, because they will. And they did. About 20 mins out, against the run of play a simple shot found the net and game on 3-1. We still found the net as well, but a dubious off side kept the others in it. A bit of panic, and they had another with about 5 mins to go 3-2. I am glad it wasn’t 10 mins other wise the result could have been very different.

Man of the Match – Simmo and Adrian.

Game 1 (5/4/08)
Looked good for all of the game against a team hoping to impress this year. Our keeper (Spider backed up again) wasn’t really called on which showed the backline solidness. Quite a few opportunities were lost in the first half from poor final passes or bad bounces/technique, but overall we looked balanced. Second half required more shots to test a fill in keeper. The first few shots went well wide and over. The next few went in. Josh beat a couple outside the box and with the keeper still trying to set himself for a shot, Josh let fly with a well connect drive into the left of the net, with the keeper still firmly planted in the same spot. This opened them up and when Matt finished off a move down the left, the score looked like it would escalate. It probably would of if we had have kept our cool, instead of verbalising our frustration. Two yellow cards displeased the coach for an undisciplined display that must be controlled if we are to win this comp.
Most Valuable - Adrian at the back. Matty and Josh close seconds.

The Draw for the Superleague team can be downloaded from here
Superleague Draw