Week 3 (2 May)
Result: Draw 3-3
A big crowd stayed on at PHCS to watch one of the oddest games of football that we’ve played in. The Sharks were your typical low AA team, big, rough, with 2 or 3 actual ball players in their team. They got the best of us in the opening exchanges, with our midfield MIA but our backs holding strong. We eventually got the first away thanks to the ever dangerous Southy, but a bizarre penalty (ref actually admitted he got it wrong…) was awarded when one of the Sharkies tripped of the back of Skips ankle. A more even passage followed, before a pinball machine invaded the pitch and resulted in Pumas going 2-1 up. The Sharkies pulled us back again just before half time with a throw tapped into the box, and a header/falcon seeing it over the line. Second half saw us playing much smarter, using our skill and speed to put it over the opposition. Rang put away the lead taker, but yet another penalty was awarded, with Priddy pushed in the back onto the ball and a handball awarded. 3-3 and Gladesville got very rough, with 2 red cards issued, but we couldn’t take advantage of the superior numbers, ending the match drawn. Like I said, an odd game of football against a very rough, but rarely dirty, opposition. The ref did a great job on the day, with his only mistakes unfortunately costing us goals. Southy was always dangerous up front, and our backs stopped the Sharks from having a single good shot all game. The draw though was overshadowed by a horrific injury to our star keeper. Aaron was playing a blinder, putting his body on the line in a couple of tough challenges like he does every game. Unfortunately, a late and heavy hit on him did some bad damage internally, with Az heading to the ICU and hospitalized for at least the next week. We wish him all the best in recovery, and everyone who’s every played with him is in no doubt about his courage and commitment against always larger opposition. Ranga Number 7’s opinion after the hit ‘Get up you sook, it wasn’t that hard’ (expletives removed). Glad he’s not my doctor.
Man of the Match had to be Southy. Looked the most dangerous of all our players, with the Sharkies resorting to chopping him down later in the game to keep him quiet.

Week 2 (18 Apr)
Result: Win 7-0
A great win for the boys following an up and down pre-season really shows the hard work and smart thinking put in at training over the last couple of weeks. Facing up against Normo on the hallowed turf of PHCS, it wasn’t long before some good passing along the ground set up good chances, but unfortunately we lacked the polish in front of goal. Poddy Watkins, however, filling in on the back of his game, did not, slotting our opener very neatly. Rang then boomed in an absolute stunner from wide and deep to the far post, leaving the goalie no chance and laying down an early mark for goal of the season. Their keeper then proceeded to put on a masterful show, denying Poddy twice more in the half with great saves. Half time was all about bagging out Villas, who had yet to show and will get to buy Claytons first drinks at the end of season. Second half saw us thirsty for the first goal, knowing that an early one to Normo would lift them into the match. However, after Windy and our other mids again dominated the opening minutes, Erik accidentally sent his cross into the far corner, and from the kick off Southy showed great pressure to turn over a backpass and square for Nicho to send us 4-0. With Normo down, Southy and then Poddy put another two away, with the day polished off by Clayts scoring a neat one-on-one third time round. A dominant display by our mids and forwards could not have happened without our water tight backs. Dru, Priddy, Skip and co had a great game, a clean sheet was matched with zero Normo possession inside the box, a great performance from the backs and a complete performance from the team to start the year. Let’s carry this forward and give the top 4 a real shake.
Magic Moment: Erik making the save of the year with a diving header to glance a goal-bound shot over the bar – ‘Dru, there’s no way you are scoring on my watch’. Ah, team spirit.

All Age 17 Draw