Round four of the 17/18 FNSW Premier League 2 competition saw the Boomerangs club at home up against Phoenix Futsal – a club which has aspirations for the Club Championship and promotion to PL1. Both clubs sat atop the Club Championship table before this round (with the Boomers only slightly ahead), so this round was a good test of where the club is at for this PL2 season.
To check out the photos of this round head to the Boomerangs photo site.
Development Squad Matches
The development squads each had games in the lead up to the nine competitive PL2 matches for this round. The 10 boys took on a highly competitive Gungahlin team and were pushed all the way in an evenly contested match. The 11 boys and 11/12 girls took on visiting Phoenix sides and again had some terrific competition against the travellers. These young ‘baby boomer’ squads are coming along well in their development and those who ‘graduate’ to the competitive age groups next year (and beyond) will be well and truly ready for the competition.
12 Boys: Boomerangs 5 – 1 Phoenix (ht 4-0)
The 12 boys had a very solid game against a skilful visiting Phoenix side. The boys gave the visitors little time to settle with a strong opening, including three goals in the first ten minutes of the match. From there Phoenix were always chasing the game, and they put up a good fight, but the Boomerangs youngest boys consolidated to make it 4 zip at the break. The second half saw a spirited opposition come out hard – including playing a fith man power play for long periods – but the home side were up for the challenge and saw out a one-all second stanza against plenty of pressing from the visitors. A great win to kick off the competitive round.
Goals to Ryan Fernando, Hayden Mortimer, Dom Pelle (2) and Nick Pratezina
13 Girls: Boomerangs 0 – 5 Phoenix (ht 0-2)
The 13 girls were up against a quality Phoenix side that has gotten off to a flyer this season with three dominant wins whilst racking up 30 goals in those three matches. Whilst matching it with the visitors in the first half, the sustained defensive pressure from Phoenix for the second 20 did not allow much penetration in the front third to even allow many shots on goal. This loss drops the girls from 3rd to 5th on the ladder with some work to do to get back into the top four.
14 Boys: Boomerangs 1 – 2 Phoenix (ht 0-1)
This was a matchup between two yet to be beaten teams in the 14 boys age group. And it certainly turned out to be a nip and tuck close affair with very little between the combatants. A first-half goal to Phoenix gave them the ascendancy at the break which they double halfway through the second period. The Boomers boys though, bounced back almost immediately when Bailey Sorensen took matters into his own hands and scored to bring the deficit back to one. The lads worked hard in the final ten minutes to level it back up but could not break down the Phoenix defence. A terrific match, but not the outcome that was desired!
Goal to Bailey Sorenson
15 Girls: Boomerangs 4 – 1 Phoenix (ht 1-0)
The 15 girls continue to do most things right as they battled a Phoenix team that has had mixed fortunes so far this season (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss). The game was tight in the first period with the Boomers only able to take a slender single goal advantage into the halftime break. The second half though saw the locals lift their intensity and defensive work rate which allowed them to again dominate a second period scoring three whilst conceding only one.
Goals to Ella Brown, Alex McKenzie, Maria Pachi and Stefi Lejins
16 Boys: Boomerangs 2 – 1 Phoenix (ht 1-1)
The 16 boys were ecstatic in bringing home their first win of the season. Prior to this round the visitors had won two matches and lost only one, compared to the winless 16s Boomerangs. A fine defensive and disciplined effort by the lads saw them score a goal in each period, whilst restricting Phoneix to a lone first-half goal. This was a great effort by the boys and will fill them with a deal of confidence for the remaining matches of the first half of the season.
Goal to Cale Brown and Leon Michl
18 Girls: Boomerangs 5 – 2 Phoenix (ht 5-2)
Yet another dominant performance by this skilful and organised 18 girls team. They started the match strongly with five first-half goals – albeit conceding two. The effort at the defensive end improved in the second stanza as they worked hard not to allow the Phoenix team to score in the final twenty minutes. A rare 0-0 second half saw the match go to the Boomerangs young ladies, who extend their unbeaten season to four matches.
Goals to Jacqui Alferink, Lefty Meuronen, Ash Garrity, Alex McKenzie and Maddy Perceval
Youth Men: Boomerangs 4 – 1 Phoenix (ht 2-0)
The Boomerangs youth men were in top form against a strong visiting Phoenix Youth Men’s team. The lads were focussed at both ends of the court in the first twenty which allowed them to net twice whilst keeping a first half clean sheet. The second period saw the intensity lift from the visitors – which was well matched by the home side. A second goal to Elie Darwich and a goal to Finn Jurak in the final three minutes sealed the deal after the visitors had narrowed the gap in the 32nd minute. Another fine effort from this as yet unbeaten team.
Goals to Dylan Aitolu, Elie Darwich (2) and Finn Jurak
Open Women: Boomerangs 2 – 3 Phoenix (ht 2-0)
The senior women’s team started the match very well and dominated across all parts of the court for the first twenty to lead 2-0 at halftime. In a classic ‘game of two halves,’ the visitors came out of the break with far more energy and a determination to score – which they did two minutes into the second period, and again three minutes later. The momentum then swayed back and forward between teams with many a missed chance and it was only a goal in the dying seconds of the match to the visitors that saw them take the three competition points. The Boomerangs ladies will definitely see this as a missed opportunity and will be keen to atone the next time these teams meet.
Goals to Nicole Jalocha and Olivia Gurney
Open Men: Boomerangs 2 – 0 Phoenix (ht 0-0)
The ‘top-of-the-table’ Open Men’s match was another that was a joy to watch for the high level of skill, ability and intensity on display. Prior to this game, both teams were unbeaten sharing top spot on the ladder, separated by goal difference alone.
The home team had the majority of the offensive firepower but were well held by some scrambling defence and some great keeping by Brunacci for the visitors. The lads demonstrated greater patience in offence in the second half and reaped the rewards with a goal to Sawyer in the 27th minute (probably one of the easiest he’s ever scored) and a converted penalty to Giovinazzo in the 31st after he was pulled down in the ‘D’. A superb effort defensively by the lads in keeping a clean sheet through the fifty minutes.
Goals to Daniel Giovinazzo and Brad Sawyer
A very positive Round 4 of the 17/18 PL2 season for the club with six wins against the strong Phoenix club. The next two rounds again see tough competition from Raiders Futsal (away) and Hakoah (at home) before completion of the first half of the season with an away round to Mt Druitt. At that stage the club will have a better idea of where it sits in the PL2 Club Championship and each of the Boomerangs’ nine competitive teams will know what they need to do to finish as high up the table as they can. Ideally, with all nine teams playing finals futsal at season end. Check out the Club Championship after four weeks into the 17/18 competition.
To check out the photos of this round head to the Boomerangs photo site.