WA Over 70's Gold - 2014 Match Reports

WA Gold vs WA Black - Monday, September 29, 2014

This was a long awaited game with an emerging rivalry between a group of players the majority of whom play with and against each other all year round in the Wednesday competition. 
The game was free flowing end to end played with vigour and good spirit. 
WA Gold have numerous shots on goal but were repelled by a stellar performance by John Burt WA Black goalie [best player for WA Black]. 
WA Gold's best player John Jeffreys [JJ] played a great game at right inside and repeatedly held the team structure together. 
WA Gold was pressured constantly by Brian Glencross making circle penetrations very difficult. 
All in all a very good performance from all team members on both sides. 
We think there is a very good chance that the teams will meet again in the finals.l 

Result: WA Gold 0 – WA Black 0 

WA Gold vs WAC - Wednesday, October 1, 2014

As in the opening game WA Gold faced off against WA Country that included players gathered from the country and the Wednesday competition. 
WA Gold were able to score in the first few minutes on a rebound from a penalty short corner. 
WA Country then tightened their defence and constantly repelled a strong attack by WA Gold. 
WA Country in a quick break away scored the equaliser. 
WA Gold managed to score two more goals whilst the game became quite constipated in the WA Country defensive circle. 
Robbie Butler [Country Best Player and Goalscorer] with John Mercer exhibited some passing skills that should worry other teams in the future games. 
For WA Gold Les Waldron and John Jefferies were the instigators of some good structural attacking moves. 
The game was played in good spirits with a steady commitment from all players on both teams. 

Result: WA Gold 3 – WAC 1 

Goals: John Jefferies, Trevor Kerr, Paul Robinson

WA Gold vs VIC - Friday, October 3, 2014

Foes on the field - Friends off the field with a strong healthy rivalry. 

A good proportion of the players on both sides have been meeting on field annually in the age groups as far back as O'50's. 

The four quarters were played in an even end to end competition with WA Gold having a slight edge over the Vic's in scoring opportunities. 

Both Goalies excelled in defence both repelling a number of short corners. 

John Jefferies having just recovered from broken ribs sustained a very bad shoulder injury and will not participate in the remainder of the championships. 

Colin Sanders was best player for WA Gold with Barry Rutter a close contender. 

In all a very even and close game but once again showing the difficulties in scoring goals at this mature age. 

Result: WA Gold 0 – VIC 0

WA Gold vs QLD - Monday, October 6, 2014

The game was played in the knowledge that both sides were facing the prospect of not playing the finals - a win was essential for both sides. 

Four quarters of free flowing end to end play with even attacks in both circles. 

Early in the first quarter WA Gold opened the score with Peter Gason slotting a rebound off a short corner. 
Once again the goalies Barry Rutter [WA] and Bob Hawk [QLD] repelled numerous attacks and showed the difficulties of scoring that has become the norm in Over 70's comp. 

WA Gold appears to have lost Les Waldron joining John Jeffreys and Max Stewart on the injury list. 

A high quality, fast [for Over 70's] skillful game by all participating members on both sides. 

A very welcome win. 

Result: WA Gold 1 – QLD 0 

Goals: Gason

WA Gold vs NSW - Tuseday, October 7, 2014

NSW opened with blistering speed [for 70's] with penetrating hits by Colin Whittaker - Keith Ellis was able to get behind WA Gold's defence causing havoc resulting in the early first goal. 
The game then developed into a fast end to end attack by both sides. WA found great difficulty penetrating the circle for goal opportunities. Once again short corner opportunities failed. 

Following the NSW second goal they settled their extremely good defence. 
Les Waldron & Max Stewart are sorely missed in defence and contributions by John Jeffreys are noticeably absent. 
Howie Herbert played with great stamina in defence and instigated numerous promising moves in attack. 
Colin Sanders [best player] was the glue in centre field - once again David Webster was best for NSW. 
WA Gold are hoping for that extra lift for the finals. 

Result: WA Gold 0 – NSW 2

SemiFinal: WA Gold vs WA Black - Thursday, October 9, 2014

WA Black and WA Gold finished 2 and 3 respectfully at the end of the championship rounds. 

In playing the semi-final WA Black needed to win or draw to advance to the grand final - WA Gold required an outright win. 

WA Gold being depleted with injuries gambled on positional changes with the aim of unsettling WA Black's well structured game plan. 
WA Black took full advantage of WA Gold's weakened defence and setup some good attacks that initiated from the back line controlled by Brian Glencross. 
WA Gold found it very difficult to enter the circle with only a few opportunities given to score from short corners - all failed. 
Ivan Wilson and Roger Jewell for WA Black dominated the centre of the field. 
Ron Venables joined the WA Gold injury list early in the first quarter. 

WA Black are to be congratulated on a great effort from all members with the winning goal being scored early in the final quarter. 
WA Black will meet NSW in the grand final early Saturday morning - good luck from all at WA Gold. 

Result: WA Gold 0 – WA Black 1