U15C

MAJOR SEMI FINAL
VS THE ENTRANCE (WON 2(4)-2(2))
August 26, 2017

After the excitement of becoming League Champions last week by goal difference, the 15Cs were ready for a chance to redeem themselves after their 2-0 loss to The Entrance 2 weeks ago.

From the start Wyoming was a more confident team than their last few games, having Cayleb back in goal, Jake returning after missing the last game due to illness and Aydon cheering from the sideline. Wyoming’s first touch was much better this time around and they were winning most of the balls in midfield. Zac and Josh W were combining well up front and the defence held steady with Cayleb making an incredible save. Wyoming were dominating possession but a counter attack from The Entrance saw the boys go down 1-0. Wyoming continued to attack, and Zac and Josh W both had chances to score but at half time the score was 1-0 to The Entrance.

Trent had a great first half in midfield but an existing ankle injury meant that he couldn’t play the rest of the game. Wyoming continued to dominate with everyone contributing to a great team performance. Defenders Tom, Ashton, Jake and Josh M shut down The Entrance attack and the midfield remained solid with Eric and Riley making some great runs down the wings. Their hard work paid off when Zac received the ball, ran rings around The Entrance defence and passed to Marco who kicked towards goal. A deflection off The Entrance defender put the ball in the back of the net 1-1.

Not long after, a pass to Nick R put him into space and he put a lovely ball into the box for Nick T who headed the ball past the keeper. Up 2-1 with 10 minutes to go Wyoming continued to attack, looking for a 3rd goal to wrap up the game. However, a throw in from The Entrance in the Wyoming half saw confusion in the box and the referee called a hand ball against Wyoming which gave The Entrance a penalty and a chance to level the score. The Entrance had no trouble putting the penalty away with the score now 2-2.

Support from the sideline for both sides got louder with each team trying to finish the game in regular time but after 70 minutes the score remained 2-2, so the game went into golden goal extra time.

Both teams were looking tired during extra time and neither side managed to score so the game went to a penalty shoot-out. The Wyoming boys shouted out encouragement to goalkeeper Cayleb who has played so well in his first season of football. Wyoming were up first. Zac had no trouble putting his penalty away. The Entrance kicked their first penalty over the cross bar. 1-0 to Wyoming.

Nick T stepped up next but unfortunately his penalty was saved by The Entrance goalie. The Entrance managed to put their next penalty past Cayleb 1-1.

Nick R was next and kicked a great penalty that The Entrance goalie had no chance of saving. The Entrance put their next shot into the back of the net 2-2.

Now it was Ashton’s turn. He has been keen to score a goal in his first season back at football after many years playing AFL. He made no mistake and his penalty hit the back of the net.

Wyoming continued to shout encouragement to Cayleb and when The Entrance kicked their next penalty Cayleb dove to his right and made an incredible save 3-2.

Ryan played in goal for most of last season and has had an amazing year this year in midfield. I’m sure he was happy not to be in Cayleb’s shoes and was ready to put the game to bed. Without hesitation, he kicked the ball into the back of the net and the whole team ran to congratulate Ryan and Cayleb 4-2, the Wyoming 15Cs were into the grand final!

It was an incredible team effort from the 15Cs against tough opposition, with everyone stepping up and giving 100 percent. The week off before the grand final will do Wyoming good with a few of the boys carrying injuries and suffering from lingering colds and flu. After last year’s grand final loss, the boys will be looking to finish what has been a successful season with one more win!

(Words: Jacki Scuri, Photos: Sonia Logan)

GAME #17
VS THE ENTRANCE (LOST 0-2)
August 12, 2017

After an emotional week with a disappointing outcome at the judiciary, the 15Cs came into this top of the table clash needing only to win or draw to become league champions. Unfortunately, the game was delayed as there was no CCF official and by the time someone was rounded up to be referee the game was already 25 minutes late.

Cayleb is still injured so Ryan put up his hand to be goalie for the first half. This meant rearranging the midfield and from kick off the boys seemed off their game. The Entrance won most of the ball and some long ball passing caught the Wyoming defence off guard and The Entrance scored an early goal for a 1-0 lead.

Wyoming continued to have trouble with their first touch and passes, while The Entrance were always first to the ball and continued to attack Wyoming’s goal. Ryan made some great saves to keep Wyoming in the game but it wasn’t looking good.

Soon after there was a foul by Wyoming in the 18-yard box, the referee played advantage and The Entrance scored again. Scoring chances were few and far between for the rest of the first half and at half time the score remained 2-0.

For the second half Nick R was in goal and having Ryan in mid field with Marco seemed to steady the team to some degree, with help from Eric, Trent and Riley. The Entrance were still winning most of the ball and their long ball game continued to trouble Wyoming.

Luckily the defence remained steady with Jake and Ashton continually running down the Entrance strikers and Josh M and Tom managing to push the ball down the wings. Great chances to Nick T, Josh W, Zac, Marco and Riley were unfortunately off target or saved by the goalie.

Wyoming didn’t give up and continued to push for a goal often leaving themselves open at the back, but some great defending kept The Entrance scoreless in the second half. However, there was no luck today for Wyoming and they were beaten by a great display of teamwork from The Entrance.

With one more game to go it is a must win for the 15Cs if they want to be league champions. Whatever happens they will be in the finals and will play The Entrance again in 2 weeks’ time in the major semi-final.

(Words: Jacki Scuri, Photos: Sonia Logan)

GAME #16
VS KANWAL (WON 5-0)
August 5, 2017

Unfortunately, not a good day on the pitch for the 15Cs. Kanwal had only 8 players and what should have been a straightforward win for Wyoming turned into a spiteful match. The boys let Kanwal’s dirty tactics get to them and while they came away with a win it was not a happy one.

At half time Wyoming was up 3-0 but it would have been a lot more if not for some great saves by the Kanwal goalie. The goals were scored by Josh W, an own goal off Nick T and Zac.

The second half started well with 2 more goals off assists by Riley, scored by Josh W and Nick T. But it ended with a yellow and a red card for Wyoming.

Hopefully the boys have learned something from this game and will not let the opposition get to them next time. They need to keep playing fairly and calmly like they have done all season.

(Words & Photos: Jacki Scuri)

GAME #15
VS UMINA (DREW 1-1)
July 29, 2017

Bragging rights at school were up for grabs for Marco and Ashton today as they were playing against 4 of their class mates in the clash with Umina. It was the third game against the Umina boys this year. The first game was a win to Umina 2-0 and the second was a 3-2 win for Wyoming. So, reputations were on the line with a group of other school friends cheering from the sideline.

It was a tight start to the match with both sides having chances to score but it was Umina who went ahead in the middle of the first half. The Umina midfield opened up the Wyoming defence and slotted away a goal in the bottom left corner.

Not long after, newly subbed on striker Nick T got on the end of a cross from Josh M and the ball went past the keeper. The score was now 1-1.

Umina made a great attacking play and goal keeper Cayleb came out to make an incredible save. Unfortunately, he was injured in the process and had to be taken off. Nick R stepped up and put the gloves on for the rest of the game. Cayleb was taken to emergency and he has a badly corked thigh. He will have to miss the next game.

It remained 1-1 at half time and the Wyoming boys were disappointed to find that there were no oranges as Trent couldn’t play this week, so they were not only missing him on the field but also his mum’s half time refreshments.

There were plenty of chances for Wyoming to score in the second half with Marco, Riley, Josh W, Zac, Eric and Ashton all coming close but the Umina defence was tight and didn’t let any chances slip through.

Josh M, Ashton and Jake kept the Wyoming back line together with Ayden and Tom further strengthening the wings and Ryan tracking back to help when needed. Wyoming’s midfield struggled to keep the ball but while Umina had some attacking chances, none came close to penetrating the Wyoming defence.

The rest of the second half was uneventful with neither team able to make a breakthrough and the final score was 1-1. A fair result for these 2 evenly matched sides.

The 15Cs remain unbeaten in 12 games and luckily all other 15C matches were drawn this round so the boys are still 5 points clear at the top of the table with 3 games to go.

(Words & Photos: Jacki Scuri)

GAME #14
VS GOSFORD (WON 3-0)
July 22, 2017

Coming off a good win last week against East Gosford which lead to the Wyoming 15Cs going to the top of the ladder the boys were keen for a win against local rivals (and school friends) Gosford.

In preparation for the match the team had a special training session run by tactical wizard Brendan Harris, super coach Luca Scuri and Reserve grade goalie James Holwell.

The team started well and after 5 minutes a lucky deflection fell perfectly for Zac to half volley the ball into the goal. Gosford came back hard with some good attacking chances and their strong defence made it difficult for strikers Zac and Josh W to get on the end of passes from the midfielders.

Wyoming’s backline of Josh M, Ashton, Jake and Tom kept Gosford out and continued to push the ball into midfield. Midfielders Marco, Nick R, Riley and Eric managed to maintain possession and create some attacking chances.

In the middle of the first half an inspiring ball through the midfield landed at the feet of Josh W. He ran down the side of the box and passed the ball to fellow forward Zac who slotted it home for a 2-0 lead.

The rest of the first half was evenly matched with neither team able to make a breakthrough and at half time the scored remained 2-0.

After demolishing the half time oranges provided by Tania Baldwin and a talk from coach Anthony Trovato and trainer Luca Scuri, the boys were back on the pitch.

The team had more attacking chances compared to the first half. Midfielders Ryan and Trent came on and put in an exceptional performance with Nick T, Zac and Josh W continuing to attack Gosford’s goal.

Gosford didn’t give up but our defence held strong. Wyoming goalkeeper Caleb made some incredible saves and with Ayden further strengthening the defence the boys managed to keep Gosford scoreless.

A great ball from Marco sent Riley on a run down the left side. As he approached the end of the pitch Riley made a beautiful cut back that left the Gosford defence flat footed and gave Riley space to pass to Nick T who put the ball in the back of the net for the boys third goal.

Gosford put a scare in the Wyoming team, who were eager for a clean sheet, as they made more attacking changes towards the end of the game. But Wyoming held strong and the game ended 3-0. This was the 11th unbeaten game for the 15Cs and they are now 5 points clear at the top of the table with 4 games to go.