U9 Baxter

It was a tough game against a 'mature' opponent. Oliver H was busy in goals and had some great saves in the first half.  Baxter scored a couple of quick goals through big kicks, but it was good to see that we continued to play the passing game we are improving on every week.  The second half was saw the side 'dig in' and the players showed great desperation in defence and blocking and clearing the balls. Also the marking of opponents from corners was good.  Oliver DR almost got a deserved goal on the counter attack

Lucas got his player of the week award for his excellent second and third efforts against Skye.

On Wednesday we'll practise on passing out the ball from defence along the line and running into space, so the ball can be played to a free player

GO STINGRAYS!
The score ended up 7-0 to Baxter
Scorers: Xavier had his weekly goal (but in the wrong goal this time!)

U8 - Bentleigh East Strikers

A clean sheet......... it was our second game as U8's and what a cracker. I'd say our opponents were of a similar skill level but our team really gelled, with them finding the net over and over. It was a real confidence boost and a testament to the gamesmanship we as a team like to portray. Tony (our couch) was Rommel like in positioning the troops, I mean players..... and every single boy gave it their all.

Congratulations to Charlie on his "Most Valuable Player" award for last weeks game.

Coaches’ corner:A good team effort where all the boys  contributed to a good result , there was plenty of passing and moving into space and some good goals scored, thanks to Liam and Flynn for being the keepers.

GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 7-0 to the Stingrays 
Scorers: Karl, Josh (2), James, Alex, Liam and Jackson

U9 Skye United FC

First game of the revamped U9 against Skye United.  It did not take long for the team to click and it was a competitive first half. We controlled most of the game, but after some close chances it took a great run from Xavier to break the game open. William did well in goals to keep the nil.  The second half saw the team stepping it up a notch. Marley showed great positioning in defense and Charlie saved the day with a couple of slide tackles. Oliver showed composure in goal whilst Skye players were streaming towards him. Campbell got busy in midfield and Lucas did not only give it a second effort, but a third as well. Xavier scored another, but Skye showed character and got one back. Great passing into space saw some great runs by Damiano and he was unlucky not to score.  Joel scored a deserving sealer after refusing to give up.

We'll continue training on passing, clearing the ball from defense along the side line (and not through the middle), running into space (and not following the player with the ball) and above all, having fun!

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 3-1 to the Stingrays
Scorers: Xavier (2) and Joel

U8 Beaumaris Kings SC

It was the first game for the newly formed U8 team and it was nice to see both teams have roughly the same skill level and finally also the same size. We started off confidently with Charlie (one of the twins) finding the net after 5 minutes. The boys were ecstatic until Beaumaris started to find their form with Diesel making light work of our defense.

An exuberant morning was only slightly marred by the Beaumaris coach (aka Mr. Personality) who most definitely showed all us parents how not to behave around kids.Saying that, the parents of the opposition were lovely and had great things to say about our club.

Many thanks to all those that helped out and it looked like the kitchen was a success - Finally we had bread that was not frozen, a stove that was actually turned on so now all we need is a frying pan that didn't start life during the reign of Constantine.

Coaches’ corner: A good start to the new U8 team with all the boys contributing to a good team effort , Charlie scored on debut for the Stingrays but the rest of the boys helped with the build up, Liam who was our first half keeper made some great saves. In the second half we had a few chances at goal but could not put the ball in the net , at the other end Charlie who is Arun's twin brother (very confusing this twin thing) went in goal for the first time and also did well under pressure from the Beaumaris players and a very loud Beaumaris coach who was so close to the Aspendale goals he was almost playing. So we can now look forward to next week.

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 1-5 to BKFC
Scorers: Charlie

U9's Friendly with Parents

This was the last game we will play as two U9 teams before we make the sensible split into an U8 and U9 team respectively. The Big Cheese was there giving some wise words to the team and coaches before the boys engaged in some gamesmanship. Once the game was over it was the time for the old codgers to take the field and show their skills. The boys were fierce and with an own goal on the parents side (cough cough Mr Muscariello) we went down 3-2. 

I'll see you all Wednesday to firm up the new teams and continue the fun.

Coaches Corner: A good way to spend the bye round - a practise farewell game between the U9 teams before the big test between kids and parents.  The parents sprinted out of the blocks with a two nil lead after some great runs.  Unfortunately the fitness level and hamstrings could not keep up and the kids came back strongly.  In the end the our goallie was not as good as the U9 goallie and we lost 3-2. See you all on Wednesday (maybe we should have a seperate fitness session for the parents...)

GO STINGRAYS !

Kids vs Parents (feat Gesaffelstein)

Peninsula Strikers Junior FC

RESULT – We won…….

Tony our Referee went all out today and boy o boy, did he not disappoint……I saw those Peninsula Striker mums giving him the eye.  Our opponents were fantastic and the comradery experienced was a refreshing change. It was great to get compliments on what a friendly and easy going team we were. 

Thanks to all those parents who helped today in tough conditions. It’s appreciated as we all do this for our little monsters. (Angels)

Coaches Corner: Great opponents (and parents) and a game played in great spirits. It was an even game and we showed improvement with passing the ball wide to each other.  Lucas was the first goallie to keep the nil and Jackson showed the same grit in the goal as he does on the field (and used his hands!). It was good marking by the defense and great goals by Damiano and Charlie.  Go Stingrays!

The score ended up 2-1 to the Stingrays.
Scorers: Damiano, Charlie

Sandringham SC - Yellow

What a morning it was..... All us parents were in high spirits getting ready for our 2nd outing when the 1983 East German soccer team rolled-up. Unlike last week our goalies were in top form but somehow Herr Fritz managed to continually find the back of the net. At half-time we thought that perhaps the coach (must have been ex-military) would get his players to cut us some slack but that was not to be. "HOLD FORMATION - FOUR PASSES - FRITZ, I SAID FOUR PASSES"

Thanks to all that voted today and congratulations to Damiano on his "Most Valuable Player" award for last weeks game.

Coaches corner: There is one thing that a coach wants from his players - it is not a big win (although this would be nice!), it is not fancy play, but it is that the players try their hardest and leave everything they have on the field.  We certainly achieved that today! Marley came and played even though she was sick, Martin came rushing from auskick and players got hurt during the game. We played a very strong team and conceded a 'couple' of goals, but we never gave up and never let the head drop down. Well done to the team, that's the Stingray's spirit!  William and Charlie got a lot of goal keeping practice and both put their body on the line and showed great skills.

We showed good improvement with the throw ins, positioning at kick off and at kick ins by the keeper. See you all on training on Wednesday!

The score ended up 0-18 to SSC.
Scorers: Casper