WEEKEND WRAP | 11-12 JULY

After a lengthy layoff from sport due to COVID-19, the Youth/Junior teams resumed and kicked off their seasons this weekend. In a slightly new look competition, the 18 Boys join the NPL2 Youth teams in their draw. They travelled to Bankstown to take on Canterbury in what was an extremely competitive series of games.

13 BOYS (WON 4-1)

The team enjoyed a return to competitive fixtures with a 4-1 away win. Chances were flowing early for both sides, but a bit of rustiness saw the boys unable to find a breakthrough goal. On the other side, Billy Brown pulled off two fantastic saves to keep the scores level. Flame’s persistence finally was rewarded with a goal to put us 1-0 up at the break.

The football played in the second half got better as the game went on and some lovely goals were scored to cap off a good morning for the team. Special mention to Jake Morris who had to play the last 14 minutes in goals as Brown succumbed to injury.

Player of the Week: Matt Page, who applied his learning of this week’s training and specific player tasks to the game. Scored two goals in a good win for the team.

14 BOYS (LOST 2-1)

It was a case of the one that got away for the 14 Boys on the weekend. Flame controlled much of the possession and had the bulk of the chances however sadly, the score line did not reflect their performance.

Bankstown went ahead after a freekick was headed in from close range on the far post. Not long before half time, Blake Pearson produced a fine individual effort to outpace his opponent and tuck it past the keeper to level for Flame.

It was much the same in the second half as Flame pressured the Bankstown defence and peppered their goal however a combination of bad luck and poor finishing meant they could not add to their tally. As so happens in football, when you do not take your chances, you get punished.

Bankstown managed to get a go ahead goal and desperate defending saw the home side hang on for the points. On another day, the result could have perhaps been vastly different.

Player of the Week: Noah Crapis – Tireless effort in the match and a great example at training.

15 BOYS (WON 1-0)

As we travelled away to Canterbury for our first game back after the COVID-19 break, we wanted to pick up where we left off and that was to come out and play a high, intense pressing game and that’s exactly what the boys did from the kick off.

We created a number of chances in the early stages of the game with no reward and in some instances, we were our own worst enemy, in saying that their GK made some excellent saves to keep them in the game. Canterbury found it hard to nullify our fast-moving possession game that was causing them problems and their only response was to play long and direct. As we went to the break with 14 attempts on goal and the score still locked at 0-0, we felt some injustice.

At the break we reinforced to play to the plan and believe in our football philosophy and structures and that in turn will give us our just rewards if we stick to them. That’s exactly what happened with 7mins remaining with Jett Stroemer finding himself in behind their back line after an excellent deep run and well weighted through ball. His first time cross would find an unmarked Jay De Gouveia at the far post who calmly slotted the ball home which would be the match winner for us.

All in all, a great result for the boys and just rewards in the end.

Player of the week: Jett Stroemer for his excellent performance and assist on the weekend and continued desire and dedication to work hard at training.

16 BOYS (WON 2-1)

• No report provided

18 BOYS (LOST 2-3)

• No report provided