Round 14 of the 2013/2014 Football NSW Futsal Premier League saw the Boomerangs hosting Sydney’s Inner West Magic at the Southern Cross Stadium in Tuggeranong — the first time this venue has been used this season.
The Round 7 clash between Boomerangs and Magic at Riverwood was a saw a poor return from the away trip with a solitary win from the Youth Men – and only three Club Championship points for the day. The goal for this final Round 14 was twofold; firstly to qualify the 12 Boys and Open Men for the upcoming finals, and secondly, to garner as many competition points as possible to add to the Club Championship season tally, and lift the club from the bottom of that table.
Given that only a single win from round 7 was recorded, an improvement on that result was not seen as too challenging, however, the aim was to win up to five matches from the nine and take home 15 club championship points. As the day panned out, the five wins weren’t forthcoming, but the club came oh so close, with wins in the 12 boys, 16 boys and Open Men, and draws in the Youth Men and Open Women. Increasing the level of difficulty across the day was that all but one of Magic’s teams (16 boys), were looking to consolidate their position in the final four, bed down their top two position for a double chance in the finals, or to indeed aim for Minor Premiership in a few age groups. It was always going to be challenging playing the strongest club in the competition in the final round.
12 Boys
Boomerangs 7 – 3 Magic
The 12 boys needed to win this match against a Magic team that had lost only one game all season and that were looking for a win to grab the minor premiership. At least one other result also needed to fall the right way to ensure a top four finish and a shot at finals futsal. Well this 12 boys team – with plenty of character and heart – did exactly what they needed to do and took out a strong win over the Magic boys. And as it turned out, other results did fall their way and our 12 boys will be off to Sydney next weekend to play in an elimination final.
A fantastic effort by the boys that saw a ton of character – all of which they will need again next weekend when they take on Mountain Majik for the third time this season.
12 Girls
Boomerangs 0 – 5 Magic
The 12 girls gave their all and put in 100%, but could not match it with this Magic team that has also lost only a single game all season. A vast improvement on the previous time they matched up, but not enough of an improvement to take the points.
14 Boys
Boomerangs 2 – 3 Magic
The 14 boys started this game strongly and built a solid first half taking a 1-0 lead into half-time on the back of some solid defensive work. However, the second period of play saw a more determined Magic 14s hit the floor and they racked up three goals in no time at all which saw the Boomerang boys chasing the game for the last stanza. A goal in the final seconds made the game look closer than it was, but the Magic lads did what they needed to do to take home their three competition points. A great game by the Boomerangs boys.
14 Girls
Boomerangs 1 – 7 Magic
The Boomerangs girls were up against a determined Magic girls team that were looking to force their way into the top two and a double chance in the finals. Unfortunately for our girls, they were far too good on the day and scored freely to make it seven goals to a single Boomerangs goal.
16 Boys
Boomerangs 11 – 3 Magic
A terrific result from the Boomerangs 16s once again – helped along by the fact that the Magic team was made up primarily of their 14 boys. This age group was the only Magic team out of finals contention, and it showed – although the Magic 14s who played up all played well. The Boomerangs boys though, were on fire and wanted to show what they were capable of. Not happy with a 4-1 lead at half time, the lads worked even harder in the second half to register their biggest win of the season.
16 Girls
Boomerangs 0 – 6 Magic
A strong Magic 16 girls unit were desperate for a win in their quest for top spot on the final ladder of the season. They came to play and showed no mercy on our Boomerangs girls. A 2-0 half time score was obviously not enough for the Magic girls and they came out in the second half on a mission to put more goals in the back of the Boomerangs net.
Youth Men
Boomerangs 4 – 4 Magic
The Youth Men secured victory over the Magic Youth earlier this season at Riverwood by a solitary goal — so this game was always going to be a close one – and one that belied the fact that Inner West sat in fourth spot on the ladder and our Boomerangs lads languishing at the bottom. The Boomer Youth took, and held, the lead in this match on a number of occasions and it was Magic Youth that were chasing the game. The Boomerangs lads had the best of the first half and went into the half-time break with a 2-0 lead. Magic were more desperate in the second half and you could sense the momentum starting to swing as they first matched it with the Boomerangs at 2-2, then at 3-3, and then scoring a goal in the dying minutes off a corner, leaving almost no time for the Boomerangs to manufacture a win. A great game of end-to-end futsal, but not the result that was required on the day unfortunately.
Open Women
Boomerangs 5 – 5 Magic
The Boomerangs Open Women – filled with a number of 16s girls playing up – matched it goal for goal with the Magic Women. Much like the Youth Men, the Women took a 2-0 lead into the half time break, but allowed Magic to take the ascendancy in the second half. This time it was Magic scoring five goals to the Boomerangs 3 to end with a 5-5 draw. The draw was not enough though for the desperate Magic who needed a win to secure their place in the top four. The drawn scoreline resulted in the Magic Women joining the 16 Boys as their only two teams (out of nine) not to make it to finals this season. Finally, a huge wrap for the 16 girls that played two games on a stifling hot day. A fantastic effort when their club needed them and many of these girls played as well – if not better – in the Women’s division than in the 16s. A great effort.
Open Men
Boomerangs 9 – 5 Magic
With Dural having secured the minor premiership in the Open Men’s last week, this final round was all about the order of the final three in the top four. Both Magic and Boomerangs were aiming for second place and a double chance in the finals’ series. As it turned out Quake defeated Dural and second spot became out of reach for the Magic – even if they had of won this match. The Boomerangs Men though sent a definite signal to the other finalists that they are not only a team of quality players, but that they could dominate other teams. Six stunning goals in the first half (to nil) confirmed this fact. The game ‘got messy’ in the second half, with Boomerangs resting their No:1 Keeper, increased their player rotations, and the defensive effort and structure of both teams was less disciplined. A final scoreline of 9-5 though asserted the Boomerangs claims as a real title contender for this 13/14 season.
So that was the day – three wins and two draws – a tad short on the five wins aspired to — but a massive improvement on the effort earlier in the season. A single extra goal in just two games (Youth and Womens) would have made all the difference.
Two teams in finals will hopefully cheer us up during February with their success, before we look towards the 14/15 season…….