WA Over 65's - 2005 Match Reports
WA vs VIC - Friday 7th October
Result: WA 0 - VIC 0
This was a tough match with the Vics taking a very defensive structure playing two centre halves and trying to maintain possession and moving the ball in small steps with their key playing group centred on the old campaigner Edgar Fernandes.
However, they were constantly upset by the speed and aggression of our tackling and our leading forwards.
The result was that WA dominated the play but probably because of the pressure and nerves we failed to capitalise on our numerous scoring opportunities.
Also contributing was that our passes into the forward line were too hard, particularly to the back stick side and our forwards had difficulty trapping and controlling the ball.
The end result was a nil all draw.
WA vs QLD - Sunday 9th October
Result: WA 3 - QLD 0
Probably because of the experience from the first match, and the less talented opposition, we played much better.
We had a couple of scares when their tactic of playing a forward close to our goals nearly accepted a long through pass.
However, we had almost total control mid field and only the accuracy of our passes to our forwards prevented the end result of 3 nil to us from blowing out much further.
WA vs WA Country - Monday 10th October
Result: WA 2 - WAC 0
WA Country are playing very well with Freddy Strother creating havoc in the mid field with his speed and fantastic eye for trapping anything within reach, and Eric belting the cover off anything that passes into their defensive area.
They were the first to win a game and are going well to get into the finals if they can hold their fitness, which is not made easy by the heavy playing schedule and their lack of reserves.
Again our classy midfield and pacey forwards told and we were again disappointed to be held to a 2 nil result.
NSW, last year’s winners, have yet to win a game and could miss the finals. Currently we are on top on percentage from Victoria and it is shaping as a WA vs Victoria final if the rest of the games go as expected.
WA vs ACT - Tuesday 11th October
Result: WA 3 - ACT 1
This was a tough match with ACT showing why they have performed above expectations so far.
They had scored 3 times against previous opposition and played very well considering our much superior pace around the ground. The playing conditions in the first quarter in particular with the low sun seriously affecting visibility and then the fading light made for much impaired trapping. However, we peppered the goals and eventually got 3 up before a lapse allowed ACT a goal from a penalty corner. The final result 3 – 1 up. The next game is on Thursday on a sand pitch against NSW. NSW, last year’s winners, have still yet to win a game and could miss the finals. Currently we are on top with 3 wins and a draw, Victoria are next with two wins a draw and a loss to our WA Country boys and it is shaping as a WA V’s Victoria final if the rest of the games go as expected but WA Country could be the surprise packet if the can hold up with their lack of reserves. Cheers to all and here’s to our best chance in ages to get a gold medal for WA.
WA vs NSW - Thursday 13th October
Result: WA 4 - NSW 0
We cleaned up NSW 4-0.
Semi-final: WA vs QLD - Friday 14th October
Result: WA 0 - QLD 0
We had a tight draw today against QLD in the first semi.
Fortunately that is all we needed as we finished several points clear on top of the table, the only team undefeated and with only 1 goal scored against us.
The worrying thing is that today many of our players looked a little weary and our trapping and passing was well below our normal standard.
I hope we perform much better in the Grand Final which is against Victoria at 0830 tomorrow morning.
Victoria earned their place by defeating our gallant WA Country boys 2 nil in their semi final.
We are in the Grand Final!!!
Final: WA vs VIC - Saturday 15th October
Result: WA 0 - VIC 0
Again we blew our chances to score and the result was a draw 0 all.
The captains and coaches decided not to have a penalty flick shoot out and to share the gold medal, so we ended up with a gold anyway.
We had our wind up dinner Saturday night and the players voted Max Stewart our best player overall.