U8 Bentleigh East Stingers

Another Saturday and another game! We were up in Bentleigh East again to play the strikers.  It was the first time the better team lost but the boys really looked good as a team and had fun on and off the field. Now and again we have the odd issue with an overzealous parents and this week was no exception…..one even calling the ball out to the wrong team, repeatedly, and the same plonker even ended up in goal. Their coach/referee however was great and the game was played with great spirit on the smallest pitch in Melbourne.

Congratulations to Martin on his "Most Valuable Player" award for last weeks game for giving it his all and his first goal this season.

Coaches' Corner: It was a tough game in the cold and we were against the strong wind in the first half but we never really got going with any momentum and lost a couple of goals to East Bentleigh -I think the early start was a shock to the system of the boys. In the second half with the wind in our sails we got our act together although losing another goal.In the last 10 minutes it was all Stingrays with Karl scoring 2 quick goals but with only 2 minutes left on the clock at the last restart we ran out of time with the ref blowing the whistle maybe a few seconds early- another 5 minutes and Karl would have got his hat trick for sure. We left our run too late, in the end it was a great team effort to get two goals back but for the next game we have to start with more passion to get the ball and not be left to make up goals like we did today. A big thanks as well to Liam and Arun for doing the goalkeeping today, it is good that so many of the boys are keen to give it a go.

I hope everybody has a good break with no game next week.

GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 2-3 to East Bentleigh Stingers
Scorers: Karl x2

U8 Sandringham Stingrays

What a day..... The sun was out and all our players and parents were pumped, hell, we even had fresh bread and rolls in the canteen. After a shaky start and going two goals down we started to gel. A great solo run by Josh saw our first goal go in and then another by Charlie before half-time. The whistle could not come soon enough as Sandringham almost scored but our goalie stood fast.
Today the coach was not just the coach, he was Tony Robbins...... filling the boys with self-belief and slices of oranges. They marched out  for the second half and Charlie again found the net. At that point there was still 10 minutes to go and we just wanted to hear that end-game whistle. Then a breakthrough with Charlie scoring another and after a few minutes Martin made sure we went home winners. This was truly a turning point for us as a team. Well done boys !

Congratulations to James on his "Most Valuable Player" award for last weeks game for giving it his all against tough opposition.

Coaches’ corner: After a shaky first few minutes ,the boys put everything learnt from training into play, everybody kept their positions well and worked hard to win the ball  , we had plenty of long balls from defence and midfield into space in the Sandy half which which we chased and really shook up the Sandy defence which led to the goals, Charlie with a fantastic hat trick (3) , Josh and Martin with his first goal. It was Karl's first time in goals and he did really well with a few good saves and really good kicks and throws out from the goal square.The win was a real team effort and all the boys gave 100%-well done and with both teams being Stingrays it was a little bit confusing!!

GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 5-2 to Aspendale Stingrays
Scorers: Josh, Charlie (Hattrick), Martin

U9 Hampton JSC

The first time we played Hampton we lost 4-2 in a chaotic, but fun game.  It was good to see how both teams had improved over the last couple of months.  The first half was an even affair, but Hampton took the chances they had and went into the break 2-0 up. The second half the Stingray’s stepped it up a notch and possessed most of the play, but Hampton was sturdy in defence. It was good passing and follow up that send Damiano through on goal and he scored with a great shot.  The team kept the pressure on and his time the defence kept well organised to not allow Hampton to get another goal.  Charlie had a determined run with the ball, slide tackle and toe poke to level the score to great delight of the players. A draw was a good reflection of the game.

Congratulations to Marley on her "Most Valuable Player" award for last weeks game for great positioning, clearing the ball on the sides (and not the middle) and big kicks out of defence!

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 2-2

Scorers: Damiano and Charlie

U9 Chelsea FC Blues

It was a tough game against the best team in our competition, but certainly the first half we showed good organisation in defense and the marking of opponent players is improving week by week. Good chasing of loose balls saw us going forward on numerous times. We are also getting better at playing the ball out of defense on the sides of the field and not through the middle.

In the second half the defense effort of the players was not as tight, but we still got a deserved goal for all the hard running that was put in.  There was good encouragement between the players (and from the parents) and our cheers at the end of the game were still full of gusto!

Congratulations to Oliver Del Rio on his "Most Valuable Player" award for last weeks game for great runs chasing the ball and scoring a goal from a tight angle.

 

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 13-1 to Chelsea

Scorer: Joel

U8 Glen Eira Pumas

The score today in no way reflected how we played as a team.... While I'll let the coach comment, we're really starting to look like a team. Our opponents were of a similar skill level except for the two kids with pituitary gland issues who stood like Colossus's in defense. The game was played in a good spirit with the boys taking the loss in their stride. Looking forward to our home game and here's hoping someone will put their hand up to work the Browns canteen.............. Frozen hot-dogs anyone?

Congratulations to Flynn on his "Most Valuable Player" award for last weeks game keeping goal.

Coaches’ corner: All the boys worked hard as a team but we could not find the back of the net  but we did have a few shots on target saved, the Glen Eira opposition showed they had been playing together for a while and scored on more than one occasion-goal line technology was not required, we need to work at holding our positions and trying to make space- now looking forward to next week.

GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 0-10 to Glen Eira
Scorers: Betelgeuse's brother

U9 Sandringham SC

Sandringham proved to be a formidable opponent and although a man down, it was a very competitive game. After some close chances it was Joel that broke the deadlock in the first half. Xavier and Oliver D showed great run upfront and Damiano positioned himself very well and found space on the left hand side of the field on numerous occasions. Jackson made a guest appearance in the U9 and together with Campbell was gritty as usual around the contests. Oliver D scored from a tight angle to make it 2-0. Will managed to keep the nil again and is really growing into the goal keeping.

The second half was a bit less structured as it looked like we all wanted to kick a goal! Marley was pretty much our only defender in the second half and positioned herself very well to keep them out. If Sandringham did get through, Lucas pulled off some cracking saves, but could not prevent Sandringham pulling a goal back. Joel seemed to seal the game with his second, but Sandringham found the back of the net again. It was a tight last few minutes with some good tackling from Charlie and the rest of the defense to keep Sandringham out.

Oliver Hower got his most valuable player certificate for last weeks game for great saves whilst in goal and attacking the ball in the field.

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 3-2 for the Stingrays
Scorers: Joel (x2) and Oliver D

U8 Sandringham SC Sandy Stars

The 13th Sandringham Luftwaffe division was in fine form today marshaling Rummenigge and Matthaus to run past the stunned Stingrays scoring prolifically during the first half. Our coach gave them a good talking to during the break and we really held our own in the second half only conceding two goals one of which came off my sons head.

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

Coaches’ corner: In the first half we struggled to compete with the Sandringham intensity and lost a few goals but in the second the half boys stood up ,challenged for the ball and worked as a team this meant that we were competitive and we had a few shots at goal which just missed , Sandringham added some goals but less than the first half- in the end we couldn't score but the boys should all be proud that they never gave up.

GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 0-10 to Sandringham 
Scorers: Betelgeuse