The last game of 2012 had the fourth placed Taipans travel to Liverpool to take on third placed Raiders. Both clubs have plenty to play for with just two rounds until the finals, so it was sure to be an exciting day.

Our young development squad got us underway, and held their own for much of the first half, but fatigue was sure to get the better of the Taipans with just one on the bench against a well structured 16 man Raiders side. Very entertaining nevertheless.

12 Boys – Sponsored by Gloria Jean’s Coffee

Sitting in second place, this was certainly going to be a top game against first placed Raiders on a 100% record. And it didn’t let us down, with a fantastic game of Futsal. The two sides couldn’t be separated at halftime with the score locked at 3-3. A massive effort by the young Taipans saw them get across the line 7-8 for a great win and go above the Raiders on goal difference. The Taipan scorers were Jason Papas (3), Jacob Gjorsevski (2), Luke Jones, Marcus Bimbilovski and Dean Saverino.

12 Girls

Out of finals contention, our young girls were also up against an unbeaten Raiders side sitting in first place, but they were in no mood to let the league table dictate the score line. 1-1 at halftime, a tremendous effort from the girls in the second half saw the girls unlucky to come away with just the one point in an excellent 4-4 draw. On the scoreboard for the Taipans were Anastasia Grozdanov (2), Kristen Jovanovski and Olivia Mavridis.

14 Boys – Sponsored by Peter Taranto Real Estate

It was just pride to play for in the 14 Boys as both sides were out of Finals contention, and it was the Taipans that showed what they could have achieved if they had managed to find a little more consistency throughout the season. Racing to a 0-3 lead at halftime, the final score was a fine 2-6 victory for the South Coast lads. Scorers for the Taipans were Mitch Ferraro (2), Alex Papas, Jarrod Walter and Declan Jones.

14 Girls – Sponsored by Ecomulch

Like the 14 Boys, both 14 Girls were also just playing for bragging rights although mathmatically the Raiders could have still made the finals. That was until they met the Taipans in great form. 0-2 up at halftime, the girls put in one of their best displays of the season to run out deserved 0-5 winners. Taipan scorers were Abi Jordan (2), Danika Matos (2) and Kya Stewart.

16 Boys – Sponsored by Big River Timber

In the 16 Boys the Taipans needed to win to maintain their finals place and prevent the Raiders from leap frogging them into fourth spot, but the Raiders were up for this one and raced to 5-2 halftime lead. The Taipans managed to get themselves back into the game through individual talent rather than the well constructed team futsal we know they can play, but lack of defensive duties meant they went down 6-5. Unfortunately with Raiders playing last placed Vikings in the last round, it’s now unlikely the boys will make the finals. Taipan scorers were Jack Taseski (2), Nelson Reid, Sam Chamberlain and Mat Mazevski.

16 Girls

Our 16 Girls were also fighting to keep their finals spot, up against a Raiders side containing ex Taipans determined to spoil the party. In an exciting game that had the Taipans always chasing the game following early goals from the Raiders, even a goal scored via a free kick from the halfway line by goal keeper Brooke Perkiss wasn’t quite enough, as the girls finally succumbed 4-3. The other Taipan goals courtesy of Heather Duffy and Jessica Jovanovski.

Youth Men – Sponsored by Koonawarra Meats

The Taipan Youth Men needed to overcome first placed Raiders if they were to continue their late run into the finals, and that’s exactly what they did with a great display that belied their fifth place standing. Although there was little to separate the teams in the first half which had the score at 4-4, the Taipans dominated the second, running out convincing 6-12 victors. The Taipan goals were scored by David Stojic (4), Guy Knight (3), Mat Mazevski (2), Sam Davies, Joshua Gjorsevski and Kyle Del.

Women

Sitting equal bottom of the ladder, the Taipan Women were determined to try and turn their improved form of late into points against eighth placed Raiders. A solid performance from the Taipans and they were a little unfortunate to go in 1-0 down at halftime. Some good attacking play in the second half along with a fine goalkeeping performance from 16’s keeper Brooke Perkiss had the game end all square at 2-2 with the Taipans goals scored by Chloe Raymond and Hayley Clarke.

Men – Sponsored by Koonawarra Meats

Due to unfortunate circumstances our Men didn’t make it to the venue, so this game was not played.

 

So some great results going into Christmas, and good to see the teams finding their form once again. With just one round to go we could still see the 12 Boys, 16 Girls, Youth Men and Men all in the finals.

Have a great Christmas and we’ll see you all in the new year,