The sixth round of the 15/16 NSW Premier League 2 season saw the club home at mPowerdome taking on the strong Raiders Futsal Club in a critical round for both of these clubs vying for top spot on the Club Championship table.
The nine competitive matches for the day started with the 12 boys at 12.30pm and culminated with the Open Men kicking off at 7.10pm. The club started the day with an expectation of collecting more competition points from the day than the opposition – allowing it to enter next weekend’s bye round with an unassailable lead.
(Match day photos can be found HERE)
12 Boys
Boomerangs FS 7 – 6 Raiders Futsal
The 12 boys started their match well, and with a level of confidence that matched their recent form. They took a 3-2 lead into the half-time break and it appeared they were on their way to a comfortable lead. Raiders though had other thoughts, and after being down by several goals, clawed their way back into the match to level it up with only a few minutes to play. James Stoddart scored for the youngest Boomer boys in the dying seconds of the match to take the points in an edge of your seat thriller.
An exciting start to the day’s proceedings.
(Goals: Seb Woods 3, Noah Dowling, Ethan Barac, James Stoddart, Ordhan Traynor)
Competition Ladder Position: 2nd
13 Girls
Boomerangs FS 3 – 2 Raiders Futsal
The 13 girls took a 1-1 scoreline into half time against a Raiders team that had only won one game this season to date. The players and the coaching staff knew that a better performance was required in the second half, and they did indeed lift – but with due credit to a hard working Raider girls team, they pushed the ladder leading Boomerangs all the way. A 3-2 victory to the youngest Boomers girls was far closer than it should have been.
(Goals: Stella De Marco, Cec Matic, Lucy D’Arcy)
Competition Ladder Position: 1st
14 Boys
Boomerangs FS 3 – 6 Raiders Futsal
The 14 boys started their match against the Raiders strongly and looked composed and structured during the first 20 minutes. They went into the half-time break up 3-2. In a classic ‘game of two halves’ the Raiders boys picked up the work rate and seized the momentum to knock in four unanswered second half goals.
This loss now sees the boys slip to fifth position on the competition ladder and in danger of missing out on finals.
(Goals: Luca Gagliardi, Zac Barbatano, Robert Tkatchenko)
Competition Ladder Position: 5th
15 Girls
Boomerangs FS 0 – 2 Raiders Futsal
The 15 girls found themselves up against a tough opposition that was unbeaten across the five competition rounds prior. Down 0-1 at half-time the Boomers 15 girls tried hard to work themselves back into the game, but to no effect. A further second half Raiders goal put paid to the effort and the Boomerangs girls lose their first match of the season.
And with this win, the Raiders 15 girls take the Boomerangs top spot on the competition ladder.
Competition Ladder Position: 2nd
16 Boys
Boomerangs FS 4 – 6 Raiders Futsal
This 16 boys match showed a great deal of structure, patience and discipline – unlike a lot of 16 boys games! The lads worked strongly in the first half and went into the break all tied up with their opponents at one goal a piece. The game opened up somewhat in the second half and it was the travelling Raiders that took greatest advantage of the extra space and time the courts at mPowerdome allow.
A reasonable effort from the Boomerangs lads considering they were up against the previously undefeated Raiders. This game was far closer than a first v last place match would suggest.
(Goals: Zac Barbatano, Harry Williams, Mas Piccirillo, Connor Falusi)
Competition Ladder Position: 7th
17 Girls
Boomerangs FS 4 – 1 Raiders Futsal
The 17 girls looked relatively comfortable during this match against a solid opposition. A 3-0 half-time lead was converted to a 4-1 victory – which was a tremendous effort considering the team was missing four of its regular starters due to interstate football commitments.
The girls maintain their top of the table ladder position and continue to build their premiership credentials.
(Goals: Amelia Turner 2, Ivana Galic, Grace Basser-Silk)
Competition Ladder Position: 1st
Youth Men
Boomerangs FS 2 – 2 Raiders Futsal
The Boomerangs Youth were pushed all the way by this energetic and keen opposition. The lads looked to slowly take control of the match and the half-time score of 2-1 in favour of the Boomers was reflective of the match. As has been the case this season, the youth men looked to power away with the match in the second half, however a slew of missed opportunities in front of goal meant that a second half goal by the Raiders brought the match back to level – which is where it stayed, despite the best efforts of the Boomers Youth.
The lads retain their top of the ladder position, but may lose it during the bye next week, should Raiders overcome Botany Bay.
(Goals: Jono Ciminelli, Michael Rinaudo)
Competition Ladder Position: 1st
Open Women
Boomerangs FS 2 – 2 Raiders Futsal
The Boomerangs Open Women’s team again looked comfortable in the early stages of this match and the two first half goals saw them enter the break in a strong psoition. However, like most of the Raiders teams this match day, they showed great strength and poise well into the second half and stepped up their defence, and produced more opportunities in the front half.
This draw sees the Boomerangs Women drop their first points for the season, however they maintain their top spot on the ladder – with a degree of comfort (seven competition points and a massive relative goal advantage).
(Goals: Najwa Allen, Jackie Alferink)
Competition Ladder Position: 1st
Open Men
Boomerangs FS 1 – 5 Raiders Futsal
In recent seasons the men’s team hasn’t matched up at all well with this strong Raiders team. The first half saw an even balance of possession and a resultant 1-1 scoreline — a cracking long range goal from their ‘keeper levelling the scores before the half. A further goal by the Raiders then saw the Boomerangs throw everything forward in an effort to bridge the gap, however the momentum – and goal scoring – remained with the Raiders and they came away with a deserved 5-1 victory.
The Boomers Men maintain their #1 position on the ladder, however may drop to third over the bye weekend should results go as form predicts. A bit of work for the boys to do to get back to their peak form.
(Goals: Brad Sawyer)
Competition Ladder Position: 1st
The Boomerang’s lead in the club championship has slipped to 25 points – ahead of Raiders Futsal – who have an opportunity to take the lead next weekend against Botany Bay Pirates while the Boomerangs have a bye weekend.
The next round of matches for Boomerangs teams is at home on December 5 against Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.