It was 6th Vs 8th in the NSW Futsal Super League as we travelled to Tempe to take on the Botany Bay Pirates. We won’t dwell on the suitability of the venue for rep futsal, but needless to say standards differ!

Unfortunately the Pirates were unable to entertain our Development Squad so it was straight into the league games.

12 Boys – Sponsored by Gloria Jean’s Coffee

The 12 Boys are looking better each week, and once again set out to take the game to the opposition right from the start. Good structured futsal had the South Coast youngsters 1-4 up at halftime. Despite a couple of goals in a good response from the Pirates, the Taipans held out to win the game 3-7. The Taipan scorers were Luke Jones (2), Marcus Bimbilvoski (2), Jacob Gjorsevski (2) and an own goal.

12 Girls

The Taipan 12 Girls, missing two players and their coach, looked light in numbers, and with another two players delayed, they started the match with just one on the bench. But the girls did everything the coach had asked of them before he went on holiday, and were good value for their 0-2 lead at halftime. Bolstered by the two additional players they were able to quell the Pirate fight back of the second half, finally running out 1-3 victors. Scoring the Taipan goals were MyKenzie Fleming, Ashley Kotevski and Ashley Dribbus.

14 Boys – Sponsored by Peter Taranto Real Estate

The Botany Bay 14 Boys were boasting a 100% record going into this game and the young Taipans were stunned from the kick-off as the Pirates set about extending their winning run. But the South Coast lads were not going to give the game up without a fight. 5-2 down at halftime didn’t tell the whole story, and a remarkable game of end to end futsal in the second half saw a valiant Taipan effort just fall short in the closest game of the day. Final score 7-6 to the Pirates. Taipan goal scorers were Kyle Kirkland (2), Mitchell Ferraro (2), Jeremy Flanagan and Nathan Maljanovski.

14 Girls – Sponsored by Ecomulch

The 14 Girls were looking to follow up last weeks first win with another against the Pirates and a fairly even first half had he Taipans hold the slightest advantage of 1-2 at halftime. The second half was a different story as the South Coast girls grew in confidence, putting away another two unanswered goals giving them a fine 1-4 win and putting the day back on track for the Taipans.

16 Boys – Sponsored by Big River Timber

This was set to be the big match of the day as even goal difference couldn’t separate the two sides at the top of the table. But the Taipans obviously hadn’t read the script as they promptly gave a master class in futsal that had an appreciative audience spellbound. Racing to an unbelievable 0-7 lead at halftime. The second half did see the Pirates finally get a bit of the ball as the blistering pace of the first half calmed, but the damage had already been done, and the Taipans were great value for their 2-9 victory. Scorers Jack Taseski (2), Kyle Del (2), James Brodnik (2), Matt Mazevski, Aiden Breslin and Nelson Reid.

16 Girls

Our 16 Girls, not to be outdone by the boys, seemed to start where the 16 boys left off, and never really let their opponents settle with the ball. With the aid of a couple of 14’s the girls are starting to play as a unit and were deserved of their 0-3 lead at halftime. Further unanswered goals across the team saw a fine 0-8 victory for the Taipans.

Youth Men

Our Youth Men were only one player short of a full squad for the first time this season and so were looking to get the season started after a faltering start. With a couple of 16’s as part of our on-going development, they set about putting on a display that we all knew they were capable of once they all turned up. An emphatic 1-9 lead at halftime was too much for the Pirates with the final score 3-13 to the Taipans. Goal scores were: Own Goal (2), Guy Knight (2), Pete Simonoski (2), Sam Davies, plus goals from our 16’s boys, Matt Mazevski (3) and Jack Taseski (2).

Women

Despite getting their first win of the season last week, the Taipan Women knew they would have a game on their hands against a side that were sitting equal second on the ladder. It seemed to take a while before the South Coast ladies settled into the type of game they wanted. 2-3 down at halftime it was all to play for, but unfortunately the Taipans seemed to lose their way again in the second half, conceding space, the ball and inevitably goals, with young 16’s goalkeeper, Brooke Purkiss, being left exposed at the back. The girls did pick it up again late on but the game had already slipped away. Final score 7-3 to the Pirates. Taipan scorers Shenea Giraldi, Madison Marsh and Brooke Duffy.

Men

Our Men’s team was down to the bare minimum for this week’s encounter, but Coach April was only too happy to have a very good selection of younger players to select from. But it was the very large and very vociferous Pirate side that took the early advantage. With the halftime score having the Taipans down 5-2, it looked like the depleted Taipan side would do well to keep in touch with the buoyant Pirates. The young South Coast side came out firing in the second half, but just when it looked like they just might do it, Taipan Captain Ricky Zucco was sent off for a second yellow card. Fortunately this seemed to inspire the Taipans, and in a exhilarating finale, the South Coast men once again turned a deficit into a winning margin, running out 5-7 victors.

 

That’s three weeks in a row that we have taken seven victories from nine, and the coaches would probably like to keep the momentum going, but next week the league takes a break for the State Titles.

Well done to everyone yesterday, not only the players that did us all proud, but also the spectators. It’s great for the players to know that you are all there supporting them.