NPL2 Youth | Round 2 | South Coast Flame v UNSW FC
14 March 2020 @ Ian McLennan Park

Round two of the season and we flexed our muscles as we swept aside UNSW FC. We made it four from four as the boys leapt into fourth spot in the Club Championship standings.

13 Boys | Won 1-0

The boys were looking for a strong start to the day and eager to continue the improvement from the last match. The effort and determination of the players paid off midway through the first half after some great football down the wing with a wicked cross coming in. In the ensuing passage, the first shot was saved but Flame were able to put the ball in the back of the net on the second attempt.

There were plenty of opportunities to grab another goal in the second half but unfortunately Flame could not convert this time around. The boys stayed defensively strong in the final minutes of the match to earn another win and make it two from two.

Player of the Week: Jake Ueda | Great work on the ball especially in his one on ones and work rate in pressing the opposition. With each session Jake is gaining a better understanding of the club’s playing style. He is always punctual and works hard.

14 Boys | Won 1-0

What a difference a week makes. With game one nerves a distant memory, the boys were determined to start their first home game with the mindset of making Ian McLennan Park ‘the house of pain’ for all that visit this year. First into ‘the house’ was the UNSW.

With the lessons from Round one clearing making an impact, the boys were on point from the opening whistle. Confident, moving the ball well and switching play with maturity the opening half was all Flame. Several scoring opportunities narrowly missing, the boys’ dominance was well rewarded with a solid movement leading to a clinically executed header being netted by Blake Pearson. A 1-0 half time score was positive, but it could and possibly should have been more.

The second half was a closer affair. Flame’s first half execution unable to be replicated. Cohesion was impacted by several positional changes however all part of the learning curve that will help improve the team for the long season ahead. Credit to our opposition who definitely picked up their game, however an evenly matched half ended with no side adding to the scoreboard.

So the Flame posted their first victory of the season, a well-deserved win and if the boys can build from what was displayed, particularly in the first half, there’s a good chance ‘the house’ will become a graveyard for many teams this year!

Player of the Week: Tom Bente-Genge | Great attitude at training and a strong defensive performance in the match.

15 Boys | Won 6-0

As we welcomed UNSW to Ian McLennan Park for our first home game of the season, we looked to continue the momentum created by the opening two games. The boys were looking to send a message to the rest of the league that when you travel down to the South Coast, you are definitely in for a tough game and that’s exactly what the boys did with an unforgiving display of football.

It didn’t take long for the boys to open the score with a well-executed goal from Zac Birch and great assist from Jay De Gouveia. Just 10 minutes later and De Gouveia was on the score sheet after finding himself free inside the box after a well-planned short corner. In the 34th minute De Gouveia once again found space inside the box after a well-executed high press resulting in a clever finish to double his tally.

Half time and the boys were challenged to go on with the job and be the first team to score and that they did. Less than a minute in, De Gouveia once again turned provider as Jyden Harb calmly slotted the ball in from close range. In the 56th minute, Noah Duarte found himself in open space down the left side and with his excellent turn of pace, raced away to goal where his strong shot across goal could only be deflected in for our fourth goal of the day.

As the minutes ticked away, we weren’t finished yet with Duarte driving down the right side and into the box. Some great vision and well executed pass, Duarte found De Gouveia on the far post after a well-timed run from deep to complete his hat trick.

All in all, an excellent performance by all 16 players as it takes the whole squad to contribute to performances like this.

The challenge now for the boys is to stay grounded and look to next week and repeat these performances consistently. Well done to everyone involved.

Player of the Week: Jay De Gouveia | It’s hard to go past a player who scored a hat trick and had two assists. Combined with a great attitude and a willingness to improve on our processes at training, this is reward for an excellent week.

Under 16 | Won 3-2

A strong start by the boys saw them settle into the game quite well. The first half was positive for the boys as they were able to move the ball effectively in wide areas and get an ample crosses into the box. Unfortunately, we weren’t as clinical as we would have liked. We had half a dozen shots on goal in the first half with the only success coming through Jackson Nolan.

The second half looked to be all Flame having scored two early goals to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Just as it all looked to be wrapped up, UNSW took advantage of a complacent last 15 minutes to score two quick goals. We did however hang on for what was a deserved 3-2 win and a clean sweep of the day.

Player of the Week: Chayden Vasquez |Has shown great desire all week and executed the coaching points given to him extremely well.

This coming week, the boys are on the road as they take on Canterbury Bankstown Berries in Round 3.