WA Over 50's - 2011 Match Reports

WA vs SA - Monday, September 26, 2011

Canberra turned on a perfect hockey day with a cool breeze under blue skies for the first match against South Australia. 
From the first whistle, the WA midfield used and distributed the ball well to an imaginative forward line that maintained running pressure on the SA backline. 
The game went to half time at WA 3, SA 0. 

In the second half the attacking pressure and tight defensive press was maintained against a tiring opposition and the final result was 7-0 with goals to Matt Jones, Craig Burgess, David Lockett, Jimmy Miller and Noel Morrison. 

Result: WA 7 – SA 0

WA vs NSW - Wednesday, September 28, 2011 

The last game of the day at the National Hockey Centre saw WA off to a great start against NSW. 
Within 10 minutes Matt Jones and Bede Rogers had scored searing goals against a NSW defence that struggled to maintain structure in it's first game of the tournament. 
As the half progressed however, NSW regained their composure and managed to tie the score at 2-2 by half time. 

The second half began as a tight and even tussle with both sides matching each other in ball movement and running hockey. 
Toward the end of the game, NSW took advantage of several opportunities that were presented to them and went on to win 4-2. 

Result: WA 2 - NSW 4 
Best player as nominated by WA: 
Best player as nominated by NSW: 

WA vs TAS - Saturday, October 1, 2011 

A good start to this game (given that the team hadn't played since September), was marred by Bede having to leave the ground for the remainder suffering from dieback. 

Shortly after, a newly subbed Deek received the ball deep in the left corridor, moved the ball toward the D and delivered a lovely, flat ball to newcomer Colin Howell who made no mistake in putting the goal away. 

The right side attack featured again soon after as a nicely weighted ball found its way to Bol who delivered nicely to Goz - goal number 2. 
Goal 3 resulted from Colin executing a classic right side baseline move and passing to Noel who slotted the ball nicely through a defenders legs. 
Tassie managed to claw one back and the sides went into half time at 3-1. 

The second half saw the dominant right side at work as Noel worked the baseline and passed to Burgo who made no mistake with a waste-high one time slap past the keeper. 

The next three goals can be simplified quite easily - Noel, Noel, Noel (with a little help from his friends). 
Tassie played a fast coordinated left side attack during this half and scored once. 

The positional move of Locks to defensive sweeper resulted in a much more settled deep defense. 

Result: WA 7 - TAS 2 

Goal scorers: Noel 4, Colin, Goz and Burgo 1 each. 
Best player as nominated by WA: Noel 
Best player as nominated by TAS: Goz

WA vs QLD - Sunday, October 2, 2011 

A very tough tussle against tough opposition. 
With the team down to 15 with the absence of Bede, efficient rotations were going to be critical and, like a well oiled machine, this was handled expertly throughout the 70 minutes by Astrid, Penny and Bede. 

The first half was even, parry and thrust from both teams with Deek's great tomma goal for WA being disallowed by an overule from the non officiating umpire. 

Score at half time 0-0. 

The second half saw an entirely different complexion come over the game. 
A beautifully structured defense continually thwarted Qld attacks and forced the pressure forward to the WA attack. 
A tiring opposition resorted to stacking their defense and time and time again the WA forwards fell short of the mark against this, and an admirable Qld goalkeeping performance. 
Many WA chances went begging but the post match feeling was WA positive overall, admitted by the opposition. 
The fact that the WA goalkeeper Martin Ferrari didn't touch the ball is indicative enough of this game's nature. 

Result: WA 0 - QLD 0 

Best player as nominated by WA: Cardy 
Best player as nominated by QLD: Bol

WA vs WAC - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 

The sides earliest fixture was played under glorious, but chilly bllue skies. 
In the low temperatures it was WA Country who scored first in the first few minutes of the game. 

WA responded soon after when Jimmy Miller completed an attacking move from the forward right side arc of the D by slipping the ball to the danger spot central to the goal for Burgo to pounce and slap the goal away. 

Jimmy was again in the action when he received a pass and deftly dragged the ball from forestick to reverse to execute a cracking tomma into goal. 

WA's third goal saw the first from a short corner in this carnival. The ball was repelled by the Country twice from the initial strike before it fell to Locks who smashed it past the keeper. 

Score at half time, 3-1. 

The WA Country kept up a stiff opposition in the second half but the WA rotation system was in full swing allowing fresh players to be substituted regularly. 
However, many opportunities still went begging even though the WA defence and midfield dominated. 
Finally the only second half goal was scored when Bol passed the ball from the 25 right inner position to Noel who dragged the ball past a sliding keeper. 

Result: WA 4 - WAC 1 

Best player as nominated by WA: Bol 
Best player as nominated by WAC: Locks

WA vs VIC - Wednesday, October 5, 2011 

In warm and slightly humid conditions, WA began with well planned lateral attacking style which saw a regular R-L switching style through centre halves Noel and Bol, and noticeably through Locks. 
This style of play was complemented by hard working inners Deek, Goz, Pesty and Bede and many chances were created for the strikers. 
Unfortunately, none of the chances found the mark although one of the shots went as close as you can get - off the post. 
A very competitive tussle saw the score at half time 0-0. 

The game saw much of the same in the second half and many opportunities were created from the right side with the strikers leading to space to create opportunities, aided by overlapping flank halves. 
Some fine reflex saves and confident goalkeeping from Marty and a solid deep defensive line kept the Vics scoreless for the second half as well, and the score at full time remained 0-0. 

Result: WA 0 - VIC 0 

Best player as nominated by WA: Deek 
Best player as nominated by VIC: Locks

Semi-Final WA vs QLD - Friday, October 7, 2011 

Abandoning their pack defensive style, the Queenslanders came out with a much more open, conventional Style of play. 
This opened the door for WA to free themselves of specialised marking systems and the game soon developed into a typical struggle for midfield ascendancy. 
Towards the middle of the half, Craig Burgess hammered home a loose ball in the D for WA to go 1 up. 

Queensland became much more desperate after this and this continued into the second half prompting some great saves from goalkeeper Marty. 
A hamstring injury to Deek left the WA side down numbers but midway through the second half, Jimmy made a great diving stretch to put away WA's second. 

Queensland continued their nothing-to-lose approach but couldn't breach the WA backline. 
Highlights for the half were Dave's stick slipping out of his hands and flying way over the high boundary fence, and Bede's 2 minute tomma. 

WA continued its fine record with the officials - no cards for the entire tournament. 

Result: WA 2 - QLD 0 
Goal scorers: Craig, Jimmy

Final WA vs xxx - Saturday, October 8, 2011 

Result: WA n - xxx n 
Goal scorers: 
Best player as nominated by WA: