Football: Match Reports

From the Convenor of Football, Stephen Wilmot

Round 8 vs Barker

Last weekend our teams faced the strong Barker teams. With many teams well rested from the break, the 10As kicked off the round on a frosty Rosewood field as they were ready to get back into the competition and face Barker for the second time. The 10As had a 1-1 draw after they were able to warm up and defrost. The 1^st XI were ready after their holiday training and trial against Scots to face Barker and get another 3 points. The 1^st XI won the game 3-1 with goals from Jack Hardwicke-Owen, Dom Abruzzese and Zac Conacher-Smith. This leaves the 1^st XI second on the ladder CAS ladder.

 

Round 9 vs Trinity

This weekend is an away game against Trinity. With some age groups playing at different fields it is vital that players arrive 30 minutes before kick-off and let coaches know in advance if you will be absent. It is also essential that all players are wearing Waverley Football gear during the match and if they are cold wearing their Waverley sports jacket.

 

Football Presentation Night

The Football Supporter Group is holding the annual Football presentation night on Saturday 5 August in the Performing Arts Centre. To make a booking please visit https://www.trybooking.com/RFWK Tickets are $15pp and includes a dinner and soft drinks.

Are you, or is someone you know, able to donate goods or services as prizes?

They will be used as raffle prizes to make this night even bigger and better.  Nothing is too big or small. Your generous donation will be acknowledged on the night and in promotional and marketing material associated with the event.

Every donation is greatly appreciated.

It helps the Waverley College Football Supporter Group raise funds that go directly to equipment, coaching and other resources to improve the levels of skill and fun for your sons.

If you can donate a prize, or have any queries, please email me at swilmot@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Waves to win

 

1^st XI vs Barker – Alfie Killgrew

After the tedious drive up the Pacific Highway towards the home of Barker Football Rosewood Fields, the boys began to feel the impact of how cold the day was. What came as an extreme shock to most of the player was the frosted grass that lay on the fields that were about to be played on. Most of the boys had never seen this happen in a Sydney football pitch.

As the morning progressed, and the nerves beginning to grow, the 1^st XI players witnessed some great performances from the 3^rd XI, 2^nd XI and the 16A’s. They were then called into the change rooms to get ready for their rough encounter, with a Barker side who had actually beaten Waverley at home in round 4.  Despite this, the Waverley boys were confident heading into this encounter, as a win today would take the Waverley side to equal second place, provided that St Aloysius’ lost to Knox. As the team headed out for the warm-up, you could feel the concentration and readiness, which paved for what was to be a thrilling game of football.

The game kicked off, and both teams came off firing. After about 10 minutes of play, possession of the ball seemingly favoured the Barker boys. This did not matter because the tight-man-marking, and the intensity of defending that the Waverley boys showed, resulted in the ball mainly being retained by Barker in their own off. The scoring kicked off at around the 15-minute mark, when a ball that was bobbling around the 6-yard box, was neatly tucked away by Waverley superstar, Jack Hardwicke-Owen. Waverley 1, Barker 0.

The travelling away supporters (mainly comprised of Waverley mums and dads) were then pleased again when a loose header by Jack Henderson off a corner, ended up reaching the back of the net. Waverley 2, Barker 0.

Then just before halftime, Waverley striker Zach Conacher-Smith calmly finished a one-on-one with Barker’s keeping, which sent the visitors into half-time leading 3-0.

Similarly to the first half, the introduction to the second was much the same, in that the intensity, and extremely impressive defending by Waverley, saw the possession stats steer much in Barker’s favour. And this paid dividends, when around the 50^th minute mark, a neatly finished free-kick managed to sneak under the Waverley wall,  and saw the score line now hanged to 3-1. The last twenty minutes of the game was a great example of the potential of schoolboy football. Excellent dribbling, passing and defending from both sides, provided a spectacle for the travelling spectators. The intensity began to grow and grow, until the sound of the referee’s whistle, which indicated full-time.

Following the conclusion of a mandatory ‘O’ with the Waves’ victory song, the Waverley boys’ confidence grew when confirmation of the score line between Knox and Aloys was 2-1, in Knox’s favour. This resulted in massive changes to the table, with Knox being on top with 18 pts, and closely behind, Waverley and Aloys were joined on 16 pts. What this means is that provided Waverley win the rest of their games against a strong Trinity outfit away from Queens Park, and also final round thriller against Knox at Queens Park, they will become the 2017 CAS premiers. This is an honour that was last brought home to Waverley in 2009, when Socceroo’s superstar ‘Massimo Luongo’ still ruled the paddocks of  Queens Park.

 

2^nd XI vs Barker College – Julian Imvriotis

The Waverley squad made their way out to Barker for the third last game of the season. The warm up for Waverley was looking sharp and the boys had their heads screwed on for a win. First half kicked off and possession was equal as both teams tried to find their place in the game. Waverley took control of the game and had a few chances at goal. Barker took control shortly after and created some dangerous attacks. Towards the end of the half Waverley kept pressing for a goal and finally had a breakthrough with a brilliant play leading to a cross-the-goal pass and a great finish from Josh, making the score line 1-0.

The second half kicked off and Waverley dominated the majority of the game. It became a battle of concentration and ability to keep the ball. Waverley played very well using the wide pitch to find the wingers. Towards the middle of the half, Waverley conceded a goal after a lapse in concentration making the score line 1-1. The game progressed as an even game but Waverley creating the most chances. The final whistle blew and the game ended in a draw. Next week’s game against Trinity is the second last game of the season and we would love to see all the supporters down there.