Round 9 - 22 June 2024
Round 9 and we are half way through the season! It’s been great so far with the successful Jillaroos program, seeing our kids out there in our new kit and the canteen cranking! Saturday was a very cold and windy day for our home teams, making conditions difficult. Sounds like the away teams had similar weather! We hope everyone enjoys the holiday break, and we will see you back on the pitch in July!
U6 Ninja’s
Emerging through the winter solstice, 10am was a great time to start our game. Thanks to GMAS for travelling so far for us. The main focus of today’s match was on passing and shooting with accuracy. Although passing was quite good, the team missed several shots and identified shooting accuracy as a key area for improvement. Which we thought was so noble for such little soccer stars to identify, and shows how serious they take the game. Georgia from the Warriors’ under-six team (Margaret River team) stepped in to help, allowing the game to proceed with a full lineup. She was awarded “Player of the Day” for her contribution.
Coach’s Note: Despite the tough conditions and challenges, the team’s effort and focus were commendable. It’s important to build on these experiences and come back stronger for the next term. It’s is truly incredible how well our understanding of team are progressing and growing with the game.
U6 Warriors
It was a nice brisk morning at our home ground here in Margaret River. The weather kept our bodies guessing between gusts of frozen cold air and pockets of sunshine! But the U6 Warriors gave it their best as they always do! The Vasse Bandies were a tough opponent, quick and strong. But the Warriors put up a fight, keeping the pressure on, making some quick leads and effective tackles. Winston and Clayton were standouts, with their clever skills and amazing stamina, earning them this round's Player of the Day! A huge shout out to our generous sponsors Pies and Ale in the stunning Boranup Forest, and Squid Lips Margaret River! A big thanks to our awesome coaches and supportive friends and families who rugged up yet again for another fun morning of soccer.
U8 Raptors
The boys had a fun, energetic game against Capel Wolves today. Jed and Cooper were strong in defence, Torin and Louis passed well and the whole team showed their improvement in dribbling and passing the ball. Nate had a ripper with a couple of accurate strikes on goal. Cohen had some good saves and cleared the ball well from goals. Congratulations to Nate and Cohen for POD with thanks to Witchy Pies.
U8 Rovers
It was the Rovers turn to host the Capel Wolves black team at home this morning. It was cold and windy and the pitch muddy but after a slow start trying to defrost the boys were up for the challenge.
Our defence as always was strong, with the ball rarely making it into the Wolves forward half and if by chance it did sneak past our defenders, Ari and Rio stood strong not allowing the opposition to find the back of the net all game. Our midfielders and strikers showed great skills and teamwork passing brilliantly to each other and to space setting each other up for multiple shots on goal and keeping the ball away from the Wolves. After a tentative start the boys managed to find their spark and the goal scoring opened up with some great team goals.
Players of the Day went to Jimmy whose foot skills and game awareness and passing were top tier today and Ithan who was outstanding again in defence and made some brilliant passes to his teammates setting them up nicely. With thanks to Amaze’n and Two Cracks coffee.
U8 Legends XI
An electric performance by Legends 11 against MUSC Ninjas. The team applied their skills from training to great effect, excelling in all aspects of the game. A great attacking display, led by Hutch with four goals and Makai with two. A gutsy performance by Harper and Moose, well supported by Jangchub, Knox, Ruby and Delasi. It’s really pleasing to see the team connecting, learning and enjoying themselves. POD went to Hutch, Moose and Makai for their great vision throughout the game.
U10 River Squad
It was River Squad’s 1st derby against Margaret River Roos on Saturday. The wind was strong & River Squad used this to their advantage in the first half. River Squad kept play mainly in their half securing 2 goals before the Roos sneaked one past Abigail in her first game as keeper. Luca & Westie were strong the whole game through with quite a few crosses to each other securing more goals.
Second half saw Dylan as keeper with Flow & Health in the back line but the wind was against us & the Roos quickly caught up to end with River Squad winning by 1 point.
Receiving LJ Academy player of the day award was Flow, all over the ball & strong in defence. A Squid Lips voucher went to Jasmine for playing her 1st game with the team & making an impact by kicking her first goal. Go River Squad!
U11 Breakers
The Breakers defended fiercely against an onslaught of offensive power from the Busselton Blades to prove they are gracious in defeat. Zoe played with determination in half back along with defender Lennox who ran the opposition down to take POD. Thanks to Boranup Pies and Ales and Squid Lips for prizes.
U11 Stars
Back to full strength this week with everyone available, the Stars came up against the skilful and well organised Dunsborough Titans. The Stars worked hard on a heavy pitch and worked until the end, finally grabbing the last goal of the game with an awesome strike from Oscar Atkins. Player of the day, Freddy Dargue, showed strong defending and good skill always trying to get the ball under control before passing forwards. Showing good leadership skills with the encouragement of his teammates.
U13 Rockets
It was derby day on the green fields of Margaret River Football Club. Rockets and Warriors faced each other for what became the match of the season. From the initial whistle, both teams were displaying great skills and control of the ball. The Rockets were taking advantage of quick passes and creating great opportunities for attack keeping the game on the Warriors side. It wasn’t for long though as the Warriors displayed as much passion and head for the game, demanding attention and skill on the field.
After the Rockets lost their possession, the Warriors made the best of the opportunity and opened the score. Instead of deflating, the Rockets pushed with everything they had and played great as a team, keeping their shape and passing to create some breath-taking moments. One of this great team's playing moments saw Charlie score the equalizer just before the half time whistle, what a strike!
Windy, howling conditions and a muddy field weren’t enough to stop the Rockets from bringing their best game to the second half. Still, the Warrior's were there to match every kick, pass and strike. On the side lines, spectators were kept from freezing with a skillful and entertaining game that saw the Warriors finish 2-1 winners, congratulations for this historical win. The Rocket's players of the match went to Monty and Charlie. We appreciate our POD sponsors, Burger Baby and Yahava KoffeeWorks, get behind these guys!
U13 Warriors
The Warriors went into this game with confidence, knowing that their hard work and commitment has been paying off and under Coach Ian’s guidance they have been going from strength to strength. We always enjoy a derby against the Rockets and today was an exciting one!!
The first half was very evenly matched and you wouldn’t have known the Warriors were a player down with only 10 on the pitch. Both teams went hard at the ball and created opportunities. The Warriors back line was strong and they didn’t let the Rockets take a shot. The Warriors managed to break through and make some opportunities of their own with Declan scoring the first goal of the match. The Rockets Charlie had been looking dangerous all half and managed to score one back before the half time whistle blew.
In the second half both teams came out strong and Luc Eggleston got on the pitch to help his big bros team, giving the Warriors 11. There weren’t a lot of opportunities to score with both teams back lines working hard. Declan managed to control a lot of the play in the midfield and get the ball out to Alex on the wing who took it all the way up to score the Warriors second goal. It looked like the Rockets might get one back when Darcy took a shot and hit the top bar, but when the whistle blew the final score was 2-1 to the Warriors.
POD went to Declan who controls the ball well, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates and to Alex, who is always an option on the wing, running her heart out, giving it 110% from start to finish and surprised herself with her goal today!
Well done Warriors and well deserved 🏆⚽️💛
U14 Tigers
FMR Tigers vs Vasse Cobras started off with a quick goal for the Cobras in the first 5 minutes. Cobras played great team football and Margaret River struggled to keep hold of the ball had a few last minute saves by Levi McDonald in goal. Alex Ralston scored a suprise equalizer with a great through ball from behind the halfway line from Piper Burke. Margaret River turned the rest of the first half around with 2 goals from Luca Tunnell and 1 from Alex again. In the second half Vasse woke up half way through to score 2 quick goals putting them back in the game. After a few tense minutes for the Margaret River supporters they managed to open up the lead again from Hunter Anderson. 6-4 win for Margaret River Tigers.
U14 Sharks
It was windy, damp conditions in Dunsborough. The Wanderer’s got off to all early lead with 2 quick goals. Despite the work ahead of them, the Shark’s seem to settle into their game and began to hold possession of the ball. Excellent defence and running in the midfield from Max, and excellent passing and teamwork from Kai, Marli and Rainer. The opportunities soon presented themselves and the Shark’s managed to get two goals of their own to make the halftime score 2 goals all.
The second half looked promising for the Sharks initially, howling winds and some unlucky shots held them back from taking the lead. Ziggy showed his versatility throughout the match, he played in multiple positions, with skill, focus and tenacity. As the second half progressed, victory just eluded the Shark’s, and the Wanderers didn’t hesitate with the few chances that presented. The final score The Wanderers 4 and the Sharks 2. Player on the day went to Ziggy, thanks to Squid Lips for the voucher.
U15 The Blaze
On a very cold and windy day, it was a clash of the top two on the ladder, for supremacy going in to the holiday break. The first half was very even. Poom and Oliver M applied good pressure. A nice shot by Scarlett rebounded to give Poom a chance, but was deflected off goalie. Duns had a shot, but hit the post. A nice clear out from the back from William gave Stirling a run at goals who was unlucky not to score. A corner from Stirling gave Jay and Archie a chance, with Archie putting it in the goals to open the scoreboard.
The ball spent a bit of time in our forward half but we went able to finish off our chances. Duns shot again, but went over the top. A kick up by Archie to Poom who passed to Stirling was looking good, but just went over. With 7 mins to go in the first half, Duns scored to even at 1-1. Charlotte and Lisa were working hard in defense. Oliver L good pressure to force the ball out down the line.
Second half started. Stirling corner to William to Poom right in front, but shot was just out. Jack and Digby made some great passes out of our defending half, but we couldn’t convert our chances. Duns scored their second to take the lead. Great run by Stirling but saved by goalie. Duns got it back in their forward half. Jarrah saved, but Duns got the corner. We got it out but couldn’t capitalise on the forward chance. Duns got it back in their forward half, and scored to take a 3-1 lead. They followed this with another goal.
A nice run up by Archie to Ethan, but his shot went over. Duns took the ball and shot hit Jarrah’s fingers to go in giving them a 5-1 lead which was the final score in the end, leaving Duns at the top of the ladder.
YL Wanderers
Margaret River Wanderers travelled to Bovell oval in Busselton on Saturday to play against The Cornerstone Crabs. On a fine but windy afternoon, the Wanderers began strong, playing a positive attacking style of play and dominated possession for much of the first half. Despite winger Malik constantly sending beautiful balls through to Margaret River's forwards, finding the back of the net was proving problematic. Against the grain of play, the Crabs pounced on one of their few chances for the half and went one nil up at the thirty minute mark. Margaret River responded quickly with Ryder finding the net six minutes later and Taj missed narrowly only a minute later. Heading into the break at one all after a thoroughly entertaining first half, Margaret River could almost taste victory, but going against such a strong wind in the second half was always going to prove a little difficult.
Margaret River fought strongly and continued to attack in the second half with Fynn, Zane and Remi all playing great attacking football, and Malik continuing his sublime run from the wing. Unfortunately for the Wanderers, the Crabs scored a beautiful goal at the twenty minute mark and then quickly added two more in the space of ten minutes. Finding themselves suddenly three goals down with ten minutes to play seemed to spur Margaret River on to greater things and with Ryder converting from a free kick with four minutes still on the clock could the impossible happen?
The Wanderers dominated this last four minutes and continually peppered the goals, only narrowly missing on multiple occasions.
Obviously the four goals to two score line was not the result Margaret River was looking for, but every player can head into the holiday break knowing that if they continue to play how they played today, a big result is just around the corner. Well played Wanderers. The two Players of the Day were Cohen, who was resolute in defence and Malik, for his sublime skills on the wing. Zane, Fynn, Remi, Rowley and every other player can all hold their heads high.