It was a challenging round of fixtures for the Youth Boys against Bankstown United, with three draws and two defeats at Jensen Park.

U13 Boys | Bankstown United 1 South Coast Flame 1

The third game of the season for the boys against Bankstown at Jensen park saw us come away with a 1-1 draw. 

The first 20 minutes was a strong start to the game from the boys as we had the opposition camped in their end of the field under constant pressure which saw multiple chances created but did not find the back of the net. 

In the next 15 minutes, Bankstown got themselves back in the game as the play went from end to end with some crucial saves from Declan Pearce keeping the scores level at the halftime break. 

After a halftime address from the coaching staff, the boys once again started the second half on top, dominating possession, field position and had Bankstown under pressure in their end of the pitch again. 

This led to the first goal, a driven back pass slipped through their goalkeeper’s legs for an own goal and the Flame had the lead. 

Similar to the first half Bankstown got back in the game evening up possession and through constant pressure & numerous corners, Bankstown equalised the score with an own goal as a failed clearance from a corner saw the ball in the back of our net. 

To the boys’ credit, they kept their heads up and constantly pressed for the win but unfortunately, it was not to be as the game ended in a draw. 

Special mentions to Dylan Rodrigues & vice captain Kingston Obednikovski who battled hard for the whole game. 

With Covid related absences, Harley Bermudez & Lachlan Rayner played in unfamiliar positions also putting in stellar performances. 

Player of the Week: Declan Pearce 

For the third week in a row, Declan showed his skill and reliability as a goalkeeper, saving numerous chances in crucial times of the game. 

He also showed fantastic leadership qualities with positive talk throughout the entire match, Well done.

U14 Boys | Bankstown United 2 South Coast Flame 0

Flame went into the game under tough conditions, having not been able to get a real training session in for 2 weeks, and losing multiple players to illness or injury in the days leading up to the game, leaving only 12 fit players to take the field. 

The game started with Bankstown looking to assert dominance, moving the ball around well while the Flame struggled to get comfortable on the ball. 

After sustaining early pressure, the Flame grew into the game and created some half chances that were cut out well by the opposition. 0-0 at halftime, much of the same in the first half occurred in the second, both teams trying to create but both defences standing strong. 

The tired legs of Flame showed then they conceded two goals in the last five minutes, through poor execution, decision-making lack of intensity, to go down 2-0. 

Player of the Week: Ollie Green 

Worked hard and gave his all throughout the game. 

Was critical in preventing the opposition from having clear cut chances in both halves.

U15 Boys | Bankstown United 2 South Coast Flame 0

First-time visit to an opposition we hadn’t faced before resulted in a 2-0 loss for the 15’s. 

In the first stages of the game, we struggled to adjust to Bankstown’s tactics of just kicking a long ball in behind and run. 

They pressed us high up the field, but when we played to our team style we created chances. 

We were unlucky to go into halftime 0-0 after squandering some opportunities inside the penalty box. 

A poor start to the second half saw us concede early from a corner, we failed to clear the ball from danger. 

The boys fell into the trap of resorting to the opposition’s tactics, but as we regained our composure, the chances came our way. 

We continued to fight and look for the equaliser but unfortunately could not convert. 

After hitting the crossbar and failing to get onto some quality crosses and corners, we conceded the second goal on a counter-attack, as we pushed numbers forward. 

Player of the Week: Jake Ueda

U16 Boys | Bankstown United 1 South Coast Flame 1

The team started well, pressing high up the field and causing the opposition problems. 

From the high press, Noah Crapis was able to intercept and go one on one with the goalkeeper and he took his chance well. 

We then lost our way and started kicking long with brought the opposition into the game. 

They were able to equalize. 

When we did play football and play through the middle we looked very good and caused the opposition problems. 

But we didn’t do this enough. 

We didn’t play through our middle field enough in the second half and were able to hold onto a draw. 

Player of the Week: Nick Cadorin 

Always working hard, pressing high and causing the opposition’s defence problems.

U18 Boys | Bankstown United 3 South Coast Flame 3

U18s travelled to Jensen Park to take on Bankstown United FC in what was to become a very competitive game. 

At just six minutes into the game, a great shot on goal by Jay De Gouveia rebounded and Will Aston finished it, giving Flame an early lead of 1-0. 

Bankstown soon had the opportunity to equalise though with a handball called in the box, giving them a penalty goal in the 12th minute. 

There were times when we had the better run of the play, but they would return service and put pressure back on our boys. 

Our persistence paid off and in the 42nd minute when a long ball pass from Nick Hailstone saw Jay head it over the goalkeeper and score, making it 2-1 our way at halftime. 

In the second half, the opposition took it to another level physically and created an opening to score with some quick touches in the 54th minute so again it is drawn at 2-2. 

It was an even game, both teams competitive and working hard to counterattack and in the 84th minute, a goal to Noah Duarte after sprinting in attack gave the Flame the lead at 3-2. 

However, it was short-lived when in the last five minutes of the game, Bankstown United lifted and in a defensive challenge, Flame were unlucky to concede a goal so the final score was a 3-3 draw. 

Overall it was a competitive game, with two evenly matched sides who both had chances to win, but we share the points this week. 

Next week we take on Bonnyrigg at The Furnace where the boys will want to fire up and take some points home with a WIN. 

Player of the Week: Jay De Gouveia 

Excellent performance with an assist and a goal.