Saturday Tenterfield arrived at CF White Oval to a very sombre array of soccer supporters and players. Friday saw the passing of a well-respected man Angelo Musumeci. Through the years he and his family has supported the Football Stanthorpe clubs in many areas, and for that we thank his family and wish to support them through this time of mourning. Both City and Tenterfield agreed as a sign of respect a minute’s silence would precede each game and so the days’ play began.
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Junior colts
Tenterfield wlecomed new players to the competition during the week. Coach Ellen was eager to have had some training with these players on Wednesday, but rain put a halt to that.
So arriving on game day newcomers Tatsiana Cook and Ceth Stark met their team mates.Coach Ellen, unaware of what skills they had to bring to the team, found a position for each to play.
With only 4-8 players returning from last year and many new players not knowing the offside rule or positions as to where and what ground they had to protect, it made for a very challenging game for coach and players alike. But if determination accounts for anything, Tenterfield was still in the game.
Within the first 20 minutes City had taken the ball numerous times in play, but then Tenterfield regained possession, only to have the pressure back again with the ball back up and City attacking goalie Lochlan for Tenterfield.
Lochlan found courage after a few minutes to start coming out of goal and fending off the attack farther out, diving into players’ feet to scoop up the ball and supported by Dylan with team mates not far afield. Play and possession continued to digress from one team to the other with the net being found on numerous occasions by City to find the half time score 8-0.
Second half found Tenterfield come out with a renewed sense of hunger. Ceth made a number of runs through play and old hand Emma grabbed the ball to go for her sprints up the field attacking City goalie. Alas the day was not their day. The net just seemed to not be where it should and Tenterfield failed to find it.
Deakin had replaced Lochlan in goal for the second half and after having a fairly tiring first half running chasing down the ball from City, Deakin must have thought he was going to rest in goal. Not the case.
City was determined to wear him out and crack him, but crack he would not. Deakin dived, scooped, kicked and hit the ball away from the goal mouth. Yes the City players did score but not as many as they could have.
The final score found City with a win, but round two of the competition is in the future and with training Coach Ellen can do miracles.
Senior colts
Second match up was Senior Colts and with three ladies this week in the Tenterfield game, making a stronger team. Coach Hughie was to use their knowledge and strategise with all his team, having Courtney running her backline with Jacob helping advise from in goal.
Within the first five minutes City had taken a shot for goal, but Zac had had a shot at theirs to return the pressure. Whoosh the ball had zoomed past the ever-talented Jacob and collected the net for City. I think Jacob must have been star gazing, which is not like him.
Tenterfield kicked off again, determined to recoup a goal if possible, Courtney through to Aarron and a shot at goal. Seniors also had newcomers in the Tenterfield team that had never even kicked a ball before, with Henry, and Jack training on the game with the team first time today. Having said that Jack found his footing quickly and surprised Hughie with having a not-so-bad kick on him.
City survived a domination by the girls with Tia, Sam and Courtney all taking it up to them and refusing to back down. Runs were made by both teams and at times I felt like a laughing clown turning from side to side to watch the action moving up and down field.
Penalty shots were drawn from the clash of the titans, and yellow cards issued on players from both teams. A number of Junior Colts having just played and then returned to the Senior Colts game made for some exhausted players, especially Tenterfield. Half time came with a 4-1 City lead.
Tenterfield came off to have a few minutes breather while Coach Hugh made his changes to the plays he wanted used and players rested for the beginning of the second half. He had wanted to rest the ladies before their game, but unimpressed by Zac’s antics on field to draw a card perhaps felt he needed a rest. Tom was also getting over-confident and making poor play decisions so he too had a rest from play.
City players were getting very forthright and making some forceful plays, but even Courtney could stand her ground seeing the City boys answering to the ref. But as the ref said she was legal in her plays, and that only added fuel to the fire.
It was a very strong game between these teams but the final score did not reflect it with 7-2 to City. Maybe next time the ladies can come out to play with the boys from City.
Ladies (by coach Glen Caisley)
After a winning but rusty performance last week, the Tenterfield ladies showed more composure in their convincing victory against Stanthorpe City on Saturday. A terrific effort by the Thunder's backline thwarted the oppositions attacking raids.
Newcomers Emily Ryan and Courtney Moss distributed plenty of good passes from the centre of the park. A number of brilliant goals constructed by the team were finished by Ellen Counter (penalty), Emily Ryan, Tia Campbell, Murraya Horan, Amy Condrick (2), Sam Gower and Amanda Carpenter, leading to a final score of 8-0.
Next week the team travels away again to face a more experienced side in Stanthorpe United which will be a competitive contest. We encourage all supporters to come and watch our Thunder teams continue their great start to the season.
Mens
City had managed to find a men’s team, possibly with a lot of Senior Colts subbing up but at least they had courage. Some of the City players seemed to be dwarfed by Tenterfields’ Danny and Brad but City had a bit more speed and agility.
During the week old hand Cassidy Thrift returned to the fold and Coach Stan managed to entice newcomer Iseeki to the game. Iseeki had played street soccer in his homeland and now lives in Mingoola with his family working on the farms of the area. He sat on the bench for the first bit of the game to see and get advice from Stan as to how, what when and where to even hit the ball. But his natural talent combined with team mates’ support made for a pleasurable game to watch.
Half time came with a nil-all draw. Dives by goalies for either side meant they were getting their practice, and wrestling for the ball meant neither side dominated.
The second half found friends on and off the field with Josh Gower finding the cold cramping both legs, but City were true sportsmen in stopping play and both team members tried to help him stretch it out. City and Tenterfield united in a common cause for Josh, even carrying him off the field.
Full time snuck up with a draw, 1-all.
