Match Day 6 – Saturday 29th October, Campbelltown Quake.

Round six of the NSW Premiere League and we welcome futsal powerhouse Campbelltown Quake to the Illawarra Credit Union Hockey Stadium. Although a daunting task, the Taipans were looking to build on the eight points gained in last week’s outing at Sydney City Eagles.

Before the 12 Boys kicked off the crowed were once again entertained by a very skilful and enjoyable game put on by the two academy squads.

Down to business and the 12 boys match looked likely to be a tight affair as 5th played 6th. And so it transpired as both sides found it hard to break each other down. If all the games today were to be as close it would be a fantastic feast of futsal! The South Coast boys edged the first half going in 1-0 to the good, with more of the same in the second half seeing the final score 2-1 to the Taipans. The Taipans scorers were Luke Jones and Jacob Gjorsevski.

Although still without a point, the 12 Girls have improved each week with the scores getting closer and closer. This week the Taipans pulled out the big guns with head coach, April Van Woerkom sitting on the bench. It seemed to have the desired effect as the girls put in a great display against their illustrious opponents finally getting their first point of the campaign with a deserved 2-2 draw. Scorers for the South Coast girls were Taylor Hargrave and Claytyn Gehrke.

The 14 Boys went into this game full of confidence sitting in 4th spot on the ladder. However, 2nd placed Quake had other ideas and raced into a 1-4 lead at halftime. The Taipans found themselves chasing the game, and never really got to the levels we have witnessed this season, finally going down 2-7 to the very good Quake boys.

Our 14 Girls was another side going into this fixture without a point this season, and facing table topping Quake, nobody really expected anything from the game except experience. But the girls obviously used their underdog status to their advantage as they grew in confidence throughout the game. An unbelievable 1-0 score line at halftime became 2-1 at fulltime, much to the delight of the players and home fans. Goal scorers were Ebony Fraser and Katelyn Leadbeatter.

Time for the 16 Boys, and although we all knew that 8th Vs 2nd would be a big ask for the boys, nobody envisaged such a lesson in fast, free flowing futsal would see the boys on the wrong end of a 0-11 score line. Chasing the game, the lads were often left chasing shadows as the Quake lads gave an exhibition of futsal that we must aspire to. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off to the opposition and say well done!

The 16 Girls, buoyed by last week’s draw, must have fancied their chances when they saw that Quake could only field three of their normal squad. But the Quake 14 Girls who stepped up had a score to settle after losing earlier in the day and were not going to roll over. A tight first half had the teams locked at 0-0, but in a mirror of the earlier game, this time it was Quakes turn to grow in confidence as the game went on, finally running out 0-2 winners.

The Taipans Youth Men have so far failed to reach the heights of last season, often slow to get going and leaving themselves too much to do in their attempts to come back, and this is exactly what happened today. Watching their opponents’ race to a 2-5 lead at halftime, an enthralling second half comeback had the whole crowed on the edge of their seats. But once again it was just not enough as Quake held on to take all three points in a 5-6 thriller. Taipans goals came courtesy of a Pete Simonoski hat trick and Mitch Del Turco brace.

The South Coast Women failed to get going in their match against our illustrious neighbours in what turned out to be a one sided affair. The girls all know that they can, and will play better than this. A 0-4 score at halftime went on to become 0-8 at fulltime.

The Men’s showpiece game promised to be an exciting game despite a couple of notable absentees. The Taipans went in front after 8 minutes but failed to increase their lead as the men from Quake capitalised on some slack defending to go in 1-2 to the good at halftime. And it was Quake again that went on to extend their lead as the Taipans failed to get any further foothold in the game. Final score 2-6, with both Taipans goals courtesy of Daniel Ferraro.

So seven points from the day might not look that great, but this was Quake, and a few of the games could have gone either way. We can now look forward to the State Championships to gain some more much needed experience. The main thing is we keep improving each week. Round seven will see us welcome Enfield Rovers to our temporary one off venue of the Illawarra Sports Stadium on Saturday 12th November.

Click here for the official PDF version of the report.