After having some rather bleak days leading up to Sunday, organisers of the Football Stanthorpe Carnival on Sunday, June 18 were confused as to whether or not to go ahead.
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The industry’s leader confirmed it Saturday arvo: “the carnival is on!” So without further hesitation lines got marked, balls pumped up, nets found, corner posts in, referees and whistles were made ready.
The early hours of the morning came and went as quickly as the sunrise, and the players, parents and spectators were at the fields in a mass, coming from Glen Innes, Toowoomba, Warwick, Tenterfield and Stanthorpe.
First hooter went off to mark the start of games. This year saw an extra bonus for the Mini Roos carnival, with some teams there to play friendly games in the upper age groups 14 years and 16 years.
There was enjoyment for spectators, players and coaches with some of the teams combining girls and boys playing against each other in mixed teams. At one stage the girls at one field managed to have all three on the team score with none of their male counterparts making a point for the team, and the coach agreed that the girls were showing them up.
Under 14 girls played Warwick, with both teams fighting well for the ball, and Stanthorpe had chances at the goal time and time again just missing. Warwick girls took it up to our backline, which did well to take them down.
Stanthorpe midfield and strikers played well together and were finally rewarded with it in the net. Full time found Stanthorpe the victors of this one.
Second game for the Under 14 girls found Stanthorpe coming out firing and putting the pressure on from the start. All players were passing well with good ball control, finding spaces and looking for each other.
They worked well as a team, the backs passing to midfield, mids putting good balls through past the Warwick backs for the strikers to finish off, all working together.
Warwick made numerous breaks and they too finally found the net, getting it past keeper, Tia. Alas it was full time and again Stanthorpe the victors.
With the effort and attitudes the players had on Sunday I was proud to call you my team. You represented your clubs, parents, Football Stanthorpe but most of all yourselves proudly.
I personally was super-impressed on your conduct on and off the fields everyone, and a very big thank you to all the help of volunteers.
This Saturday the Thunders travel to the International Club fields in Stanthorpe to take on Inter in all divisions.