What a difference a week makes………..

Coming off the back of a comprehensive beating at the hands of Sutherland last week, we were unsure of how the players would respond, but respond they did throughout a great day of futsal at the University of Wollongong’s Sports Hub.

The day didn’t get off to the best of starts, as an overnight flood had our court plans in disarray. But cool heads by some, and blind panic by others, soon had a plan in place, and the Development Squads were able to take the court at 10:00 as planned.

The development game was a great exhibition of promising futsal from both sides with the game ebbing and flowing from end to end. The result could have gone either way but in the end Sydney Futsal Club just edged out the South Coast boys and girls. The spectators were thoroughly entertained in what was a great curtain raiser for the rest of the day.

12 Boys – Sponsored by Gloria Jean’s Coffee

Our 12 Boys looked sluggish last week but no such trouble this, as they raced from the blocks in this high paced encounter. Early goals settled any nerves and Booby’s boys were 4-1 up by halftime. Not that the Taipans had it all their own way, goalkeeper Zak Bedelovski answered the call on several occasions. The second half saw the boys extend their lead as Sydney struggled to get any foothold in the game. Goals from Luke Day, Jason Pappas, Dean Saverino and five from Jacob Gjorsevski had the Taipans run out 9-1 victors, giving us all just the start we needed.

12 Girls

The South Coast 12 Girls were pleased with their performance in round one and knew that they were not too far away from where they needed to be, which was evident today as the girls pushed for victory from the whistle. Once again early goals settled any nerves, which seem so important in the younger age groups. Five goals to zero down at halftime, Sydney found themselves chasing the game, but a solid effort in the second half kept the free scoring Taipans down to only two further goals. Final score 7-0 with the scorers, Emily Carbone, two for Olivia Mavridis and four for Ashley Dribbus.

14 Boys – Sponsored by Peter Taranto Real Estate

With a couple of players missing due to holidays, Alex Pappas rolling his ankle in the warm-up wasn’t in Coach Sam Davies’s plans. This was one of the closest games of the day with two very evenly matched sides going nip and tuck throughout. 2-1 up at halftime, the slender lead was maintained as the final score had the young Taipans take the game 3-2. Taipan goal scorers were Mitch Ferraro, Kyle Kirkland and Jacob Gjorsevski (12 Boys).

14 Girls – Sponsored by Ecomulch

The Sydney 14 Gils must have been watching the two previous games, as it was them that adapted to the large court quickest and used the full width to their advantage. Early goals with players left unmarked at the back post gave the young Taipan Girls a mountain to climb going in 0-3 down at halftime. The girls responded to the halftime team talk and managed to secure their earlier defensive frailties, keeping the experienced Sydney side from adding further to the score. Unfortunately the Taipans were unable to make any headway at the other end with the final score a 0-3 defeat.

16 Boys – Sponsored by Big River Timber

The South Coast 16 Boys were the only Taipan team to taste victory in round one, so the young lads were full of confidence going into the game. But if they thought they were going to have it all their own way, Sydney had other ideas. This was another closely fought game that neither side could run away with. A Taipan lead of 2-1 at halftime ended up 3-2 at fulltime. A great game of attractive Futsal that needed goals from Kyle Del, Robbie Delbanco and Matt Mazevski to ensure victory.

16 Girls

Both these sides went into the game after suffering defeat in round one and it looked as though neither team was full of confidence as they shunned opportunities in front of goal. But with the assistance of a couple of 14’s it was the Taipans that had a 1-0 advantage at halftime. This lead seemed to instil the required belief and a further two goals gave the South Coast girls a deserved 3-1 win. Goal scorers were Taren King and Catherine Bullivant 2 (Two).

Youth Men

We have been busy recruiting for the Youth side and our starting five had three debuts and the 16’s goalkeeper with a further four 16’s on the bench. Not that this seemed to have the Taipans at any disadvantage, as they put on a display that many more experienced sides would have been proud of. Racing to a 5-1 lead at halftime, a single gaol apiece in the second half left us with an outstanding 6-2 victory. Three goals on debut for Guy Knight were complimented by further goals from Franc Pierro, Peter Simonoski and Jack Tasevski (16 Boys).

Women

Although almost at full strength, the lack of futsal experience means that the Women’s team is very much a work in progress at the moment, and up against a side like Sydney, this was always going to be a test. But they are not short on individual ability or character, and it was the Taipans that went into halftime with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a last kick of the half goal for 16’s Girl Taren King. More of the same was called for in the second half, but two lapses of concentration at the back allowed Sydney to take all the points. With two loses from two, the Women’s coach is awaiting the dreaded vote of confidence from the board……

Men

With only four of the Men’s side available, April had to call upon two youth and three 16s to make up the squad. Not that you would have known from the game, as the Taipans matched it with Sydney throughout the first half. Some excellent futsal from the youngsters kept the South Coast side within one goal as Sydney went into the break with the advantage at 2-3. The halftime team talk must have been inspirational as the Taipans came out all guns blazing. With the advantage swinging the Taipans way, it was Sydney that began to feel the heat, and a couple of rash challenges lead to the dismissal of the Sydney keeper. This was followed by a controlled performance that led to a 7-4 win for the Taipans. Paul Gaffney scored four on debut and Peter Gaffney got one. The other two goals were scored by Youth captain Sam Davies.

And so concluded a fine day for the South Coast Taipans that sees us back on track. A big thank you to Sydney Futsal Club for their part in the day and especially to all the parents that did their stint in the canteen and BBQ, without your help we wouldn’t be able to manage. We now look forward to the visit of Mount Druitt Rangers to Wollongong for round three on Saturday 20th October.