U13 Boys | South Coast Flame 4 Central Coast United 2

Our first home game for the season for the boys and we eventually prevailed after what proved to be a very difficult day in front of goals in the first half for us.

We were in complete control of the game and we were creating numerous scoring chances we just couldn’t find the back of the net, it looked like it may be one of those days.

After a halftime address, we returned to the field in the 2nd half and continued on from where we left off although this time the goals would come.

Lewis Tomlinson netted a fine goal after some excellent lead-up play down the left from Harley Bermudez, then Harvey Gottlieb again got into the action with another left-foot cracker.

After this, the boys relaxed somewhat, and let Central Coast back into the game with a penalty and a cross-come-shot that looped over our goalkeeper’s grasp.

The boys then showed great character for such a new team and got back on the front foot.

Issac Papakosmas then scored a 30-35 yard lob over an advancing keeper after he came out to clear a through ball to put us back on top.

Cohen Pegler then rounded things off with a right-footed drive into the far corner from 20 yards.

Excellent result boys and great team character.

Player of the Week: Harvey Gottlieb

Excellent positional play throughout the game.

Excellent defensive efforts.

Great goal once again from range.

U14 Boys | South Coast Flame 2 Central Coast United 1

The boys started brightly looking to combine sharply in the front 3rd causing their opponents a few headaches.

However, a lot of good work was undone by lack of discipline and being caught offside numerous times.

The hard work was eventually rewarded with a goal to Oscar Loveday.

A goalmouth scramble eventually found its way to Oscar, who managed to outjump the goalkeeper and header it into the net.

Flame continued to push on however a long freekick was poorly defended, and allowed their striker an easy shot at goal to equalise.

The second half was an even affair, with the boys struggling to consistently break through the aggressive press of their opponents.

However, we managed to break their lines and saw Ben Parry slip in Alex Bosevski, who managed to get 1 on 1 with the keeper and put us back in front.

As the game went on, some desperation and critical defending saw the boys run out 2-1 winners.

Player of the Week: Will Egan-Brown

Will showed great discipline in defence and was a true leader.

He executed team and player tasks well, showed great composure with the ball and was a leader in the backline.

U15 Boys | South Coast Flame 0 Central Coast United 4

No match report was made available.

U16 Boys | South Coast Flame 1 Central Coast United 0

We Pressed high up the field early and won possession making it difficult for Central Coast United.

We were able to capitalize on this early pressure and Yoan Ciugureanu scored just before the 10-minute mark.

We played well for the first 25 minutes before we started to turn over possession too easily.

This allowed United back into the game.

We created several good scoring chances in the second half but were unable to find the back of the net.

Again we turned over possession too easily. We are capable of better and we will take the 3 points.

Player of the Week: Noah Crapis

Work rate and ability to retain possession. as well as create and nearly score on a few occasions.

U18 Boys | South Coast Flame 2 Central Coast United 3

The Under-18’s played Central Coast at the Furnace on Sunday, and the pitch lived up to its name as the boys played their second round of the season in very hot conditions.

A delayed start meant the boys had to regroup but upon kick-off, Central Coast were immediately on the attack.

Several plays looked dangerously close to scoring, but our strong backline defenders held them out.

Central Coast were very physical and their athletic striker was constantly pushing high on our backs, putting pressure on the ball and goalie.

They were rewarded in the 31st minute when a long ball found their winger and although our goalkeeper defended their first shot, they took a header off the rebound and it found the net.

This fired up the opposition and just seven minutes later they were on a fast run down the pitch and score again making it 2-0.

In the second half, they scored again after making a quick transition, now 3-0.

Our boys didn’t let this hold them back and pushed on, working hard to continue fighting for possession and attacking the goal.

A penalty in the last five minutes of the game after foul play in the box saw Flame score with Jyden Harb taking the kick.

The boys held their own for the next few minutes and a smooth cross from Jay De Gouveia found Zac Birch’s feet and he scored, bringing the final score to 3-2 at fulltime.

Flame could have possibly had the chance to equalise but unfortunately ran out of time.

A great game considering the hot conditions, and so the boys will be pushing to get a win next weekend against Bankstown United FC.

Player of the Week: Josh Bussoletti

Worked tirelessly in the midfield and executed his role well.