Round 4 of the FNSW State League competition saw the Boomerangs host the Raiders Futsal Club (from the Liverpool district in Sydney), at mPowerdome on Saturday November 1.
The day kicked off at 12.30pm with the 12 Boys and continued throughout the day with nine games of high quality futsal over an eight-hour period.
In an entertaining and surprisingly intense match to start the day’s proceedings, the 12 boys found themselves behind by a single goal at the break, 2-3. An exciting and dramatic second half saw the boys give it their all and raise the level of intensity in order to win the match. However, the single goal difference remained as the final whistle blew with the Raiders taking out the match 6-5. (Luka Gagliardi 3, Zach Barbatano 2)
At half-time in the 13 girls the Boomerangs youngest women looked to have turned around their recent form being down by the slenderest of margins 0-1 in a close and hard fought first 20. The second half saw the Raiders lift their intensity and work-rate to outplay the Boomer girls. The final whistle blew as scores sat at 0-4. A solid effort by the Boomerangs girls against a strong Raiders unit that has lost only once this season so far.
A significant lift in intensity and noise as the 14 boys enjoyed another close and intense match. With the Boomerangs again down by a solitary goal at the half-time break (0-1) continued intensity and better finishing was required in the second half. An enthralling second half was forthcoming and saw a solitary goal being scored by the Boomerangs 14s (Ryan Edwards) tying the match 1-1, which is where it remained when the final whistle blew. A great effort by both teams in an entertaining quality game.
The 15 girls match was an evenly contested affair and the two teams went into the half-time break at a goal a piece. The teams continued to trade blows throughout the second half, and with the final whistle about to blow, the teams had scored one each again in the second stanza. That’s when things went a little pear-shaped for the Boomer girls. An energetic piece of goal keeping by regular Eleni Haridemos saw her challenge for the ball on the edge of the ‘D’ and slide slightly over the line. A free kick was rightly awarded, however the official also saw fit to dismiss the custodian for a deliberate foul – a decision many of the home crowd thought a tad harsh. The resultant free kick taken against a stand-in keeper slammed into the back of the net to give the Raiders girls victory at the death, 3-2. (Alicia Meuronen, Ashlyn Garrity goals)
The 16 boys hit the court next and raised the level again – especially vocally with a vociferous keeper guarding the Raiders net. This, and the high level of physical intensity impacted on the Boomerangs 16s and they went into the half-time break down by three. The boys put in a more solid second half and held their own, but could not stop the Raiders from slotting home two more (and in the process racking up three yellow cards). At the other end, the physically intimidating keeper was very effective at stopping each shot that came his way. Final score Boomerangs 0-5 Raiders.
As is usually the case, the shift from 16 boys to 17 girls is a soothing one, as the girls got on with playing some sharp, slick futsal, with as much passion – but none of the testosterone – of the boys that preceded them on court! A fairly even contest that saw both teams head into the half-time break reasonably satisfied, but with the Boomerangs 17s up by the solitary goal, 1-0. The second half saw a lift in intensity and pressure applied and resulted in four goals being scored – two a piece, which had the Boomerangs 17 girls bringing home the first points of the day, victorious 3-2. (Goals to Alex Martens, Ruth Kravis and Hayley McLachlan)
The Youth Men hit the court at 5.30pm and ratcheted up the pace and intensity several notches. A fast and entertaining first 20 minutes saw the Boomer lads dominant, everywhere on the court bar the score sheet. The match remained goalless as the teams head into half-time. The second half saw the Boomer quality shine through, not only with the scoring of three goals, but also in the ability to keep a clean sheet at the defensive end. A comfortable 3-0 win. (Goals to Nick Rathjen 2, and Jake Wilsener)
The Women were up next, and looking for a hat-trick of wins to follow their first round loss to Sutherland. The first half saw the Boomer women throw everything they could at the Raiders goal, only to be denied on many occasions by the keeper, the woodwork, and inaccuracy. They did enough though to slot home two and concede a single to go into the break up by a single goal 2-1. The second half saw the Boomer women attempt to ply on the pressure and they once again had repeated shots on goal, only to hit the woodwork or make the Raiders shot blocker earn her keep. In the end, the women did enough to take the match 3-2, however the result could have been far more convincing with better shot conversion. (Olivia Gurney 2, Alex Martens 1)
The Men started their match against the Raiders with as close to a full roster we have seen all year — no youth were required to back up (aside from in goals). The lads looked to be cruising during the first half and went comfortably into the half-time break with a 2-0 lead. The second half energy and enthusiasm though came solely from the Raiders men as they lifted their intensity and energy levels in order to steal back the game. And steal it back they did, scoring four unanswered goals to take out the match 2-4. A spirited comeback by Raiders that saw them outplay the Boomerangs men comprehensively in the second half. (D Bennett, J O’Dwyer)
Photos of all nine matches can be found by clicking the PHOTOS tab in the menu bar above.