Round Eight of the Football NSW State League Futsal competition saw the Sydney Futsal Club venture south for their major Saturday road trip for the season.
The return trip up the highway was probably not so well enjoyed by players, families and supporters as the Sydney club went home with only a single competition point from the day – a draw in the 12 boys.
The round saw some exceptional performances – both individual and team – to ensure positive results in all games. However, the highlight was a seven goal haul from young Ben Basser-Silk in the Youth Men — scoring seven goals (out of 17 put into the SFC net during the 40 minutes). As to the team performances, it would be hard to ‘pick a winner’ as every single Boomerangs team that took the court played exceptionally well as a team, and this teamwork, and playing to a futsal plan, was the primary difference between the clubs on the day.
12 Boys
Boomerangs FS 2 – Sydney Futsal Club 2
Prior to this match, the record of these two teams was similar – won 5, lost 2, with the only real difference being that the Boomers youngest boys had scored more freely in the seven games played so far this season. So it was shaping up as a close match – and that’s indeed the way it panned out.
The first half of the match was a highly structured and disciplined affair with the teams scoring a goal each off the back of some individual brilliance. It was hard to see the teams maintaining the discipline throughout the second half, and indeed as it unfolded, the intensity lifted a few notches and the game opened up somewhat. It was only some terrific goalkeeping by both keepers that kept the scorer less busy than they could have been.
A second goal a piece, saw the intense and fast pace second half come to a close, with (unusually for 12 boys), four yellow cards issued and many infringements made and called. Probably not a good result for either team, but it does keep them both in the race for a finals berth.
The quest for the competition’s golden boot is hotting up with Zac Barbatano scoring the two goals on the day to take him to 16 overall and in third place. Luca Gagliardi remains on 15 goals and fourth spot overall.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 4th
13 Girls
Boomerangs FS 8 – Sydney Futsal Club 1
The 13 girls were very keen heading into this game knowing that the Sydney club had only had a single draw in the season to date (with 6 losses and 0 wins).
The youngest Boomerangs girls entered the game very energetically and played their hearts out recording just their second victory for the season – and not only did they win, but they won convincingly, converting many of the opportunities that presented themselves. Up five nil at half-time, the girls never let up and finished out the game with an 8-1 victory.
Also pleasing was the spread of goals across the team with De Marco scoring twice and singles to Martens, Youill, Ilijoski, D’Arcy, Di Fronzo and Pachi.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 10th
14 Boys
Boomerangs FS 5 – Sydney Futsal Club 4
The 14 boys looked the goods in this match from the get-go, and persistent and disciplined play in the first half, helped them take a 3-1 lead into the break. After the break though, the Sydney team hit the court with renewed vigour and energy and quickly wiped out the first half deficit to tie it up at 3-3. And soon after, they rattled the back of the net again to hit the lead 4-3. This presented a test of character for the Boomerangs 14s and one, which earlier in the season, they probably would have faltered on. However, they dug deep and levelled it back up, and not long after, hit the lead to take out a tremendous game of futsal by the narrowest of margins.
Goal scorers included Obst (2) and Brankovic, Gagliardi, and Rodriguez. Savan Brankovic’s goal sees him in 6th spot (with 9 goals) on the competition goal scoring ladder.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 5th
15 Girls
Boomerangs FS 1 – Sydney Futsal Club 0
Yet another tough, close and skilful match featuring the 15 girls. The scores remained deadlocked at half-time, and it was only the slenderest of touches at the near post by Basser-Silk from a corner kick in the second half that saw the Boomers 15 girls come away with the victory. These girls are making a habit of winning these close and low scoring encounters. The important thing was the three competition points secured! And this now brings the team to 120 minutes played without conceding a solitary goal.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 5th
16 Boys
Boomerangs FS 4 – Sydney Futsal Club 3
The 16 boys once again engaged confidently with their tough and physical opposition and managed to secure a 2-0 half-time lead. The second half though, saw the match turn around, with the Sydney team keen to wrestle back the momentum – which they did – by levelling it up, first at 2-2, then at 3-3. The coaching staff then threw caution to the wind by putting on a strong offensive grouping for the last couple of minutes resulting in a fantastic ‘at the death’ goal scored by David Rodriguez (playing up from the 14s).
For the third boys game in a row, a close and intense tussle between these two clubs. Goals also to Keegan, O’Gorman and Ong.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 9th
17 Girls
Boomerangs FS 5 – Sydney Futsal Club 1
The 17 girls approached this game with the same level of intensity and discipline as they have for the recent few games. A solid first half saw them take a 3-1 lead into the break. The second half saw improved effort from the opposition, but the Boomer ladies were strong enough to hold out the constant pressure from the Sydney girls. A solid 5-1 result ensued with goals spread evenly between Voigt, Martens, Glover and Kravis (and an own goal to round it out).
In the race for the Golden boot, Rachel Corbett did not add to her nine goals and sits in sixth position, however Alex Martens has moved up into 7th position with 7 goals.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 4th
Youth Men
Boomerangs FS 17 – Sydney Futsal Club 0
Ben Basser-Silk. 7 goals. What an effort.
But of course, for the lads to score 17 goals the game was more than just about Basser-Silk... the whole team worked hard, ran fast, and displayed a high quality and level of futsal rarely seen at the youth level. And it’s no surprise with many of these lads having now had regular F-League exposure for a season or two.
The team played beautifully at times and strung together 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 one-touch passes to end up with a back post tap in (often by Basser Silk!)
In addition to the Basser-Silk goal-fest there were also three goals to Zeitlhofer, doubles to Chris Smith, David O’Gorman and Michael Rinaudo and a single to Wilsener. And Basser Silk is now level with Zeitlhofer in equal third place in the race for the Golden Boot.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 2nd
Open Women
Boomerangs FS 6 – Sydney Futsal Club 0
Unfortunately the Sydney Futsal Club could not rattle up enough interest amongst their playing group to make the trek down the highway to suit up against the strong Boomerangs Women’s team. A resultant forfeit and a gifted 6-0 win sees the Boomerangs women retain their top spot on the table (on goal difference) over Sutherland.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 1st
Open Men
Boomerangs FS 6 – Sydney Futsal Club 1
The Men’s game was, as expected, a fair bit tougher than the youth men, and the Sydney Futsal Club really put our lads to the test in the first half. A 3-1 half-time lead saw the Boomerangs men head into the break knowing they needed to lift their intensity and work rate in the second period.
And that they did, piling on a deal of pressure on to the Sydney team and breaking down their earlier solid defence. A further three goals scored in the second half, and a clean sheet to keeper Ashley Collins in the second period secured the 6-1 victory.
Goals to Fulton and Wilsener (2 each) and singles to Chris Smith and Daniel Bennett.
Current ladder position after seven rounds: 1st
Eight wins, a draw and no losses, builds on the the recent few weeks of positive results for the club. The challenge remains to build on this momentum and maintain the accrual of Club Championship points through the final five rounds of the 14/15 competition (including a bye in January), as well as ensuring that as many teams as possible are in contention for finals.
The Club Championship after this round sees the club climb to fifth place in a congested ladder with now only 7 points (less than three wins) separating the top five clubs.