Over 50 Men 2010 Match Reports

WA Over 50's - 2010 Match Reports

WA vs VIC - Tuesday, September 28, 2010

We opened with controlled even pace even though the first game nervous energy levels were high. Good skills and passing resulted in our first corner approx 10 minutes into the opening half. The plan was for variation 1 to be the first corner, turned into Jimmy having a shot from the top deflecting high off a defender stick over the Victorian goal keeper. A green Card was given to Feral as soon as he got on the field starting with a stick check from the opposition team, which lead Feral to counteract. Soon after from a long corner/free hit on the left hand side of the Vic circle the ball bounced into the D on target for Jimmy to first time into the net on the right hand side of the keeper. Many further forays into the Vic defence during the balance of the first half with no addition to the score. WA defence never really challenged and when the half time break came the score stood at WA 2 – Vic nil.

Second half continued much like the first with many opportunities for us to score and extend the lead not taken. Most of the time we were in our attacking zone with Vic only infrequently breaking into our defensive circle. WA goal keeper had probably two touches in second half. A green card was awarded to Westy for a clash by two players. A yellow card followed soon after awarded to Feral for a bad tackle. Within a minute a second Yellow card was given to Westy for another bad tackle. With only nine players on the field, the team smartly defended, and didn’t allow the Vic’s to take control of the game.

Result: WA 2 – VIC 0
Goal scorers: Jimmy Miller (2)
Best player as nominated by both VIC and WA: S Pestana

WA vs QLD2 - Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - Bunbury

An early game in Bunbury on Turf Two 8.30am local time, 10.30am QLD time.
The condition of the turf looked to be a worry, but within 2 minutes WA had their 1st goal on the board.
The field goal was awarded to Joe Mastrangelo, however Burgo did claim it was him to put the ball in the net. Short firm direct passes emanating from the back line via transfers across the defence up into attack saw WA give QLD2 a lesson in modern Hockey. Great stick work, skills and the number of intercepts to regain possession saw WA at 7-0 at half time.

In the second half QLD2 tightened up the game, to concede only another two goals, to have the full time score at 9-0.

Result: WA 9 – QLD2 0
Goal scorers: J. Mastrangelo, J. Miller (2), S. Pestana, P. Crowe (2), C. Burgess (2), D. Lockett
Best player as nominated by QLD2: Craig Burgess
Best player as nominated by WA: Jimmy Miller

WA vs SA - Friday, October 1, 2010 at Busselton

We expected a tough contest in warm conditions against SA and we were not disappointed .
The first half was a keen contest of possession in the mid-field with WA winning an early penalty corner, their only one for the much.
SA started the game much stronger and more positive than WA and were able to defend WA’s attacking moves to regain possession.
At half time the dour struggle produced a nil all result.

The second half the team focused on going back to our style of the game.
This produced immediate results with a goal from a penalty corner scored by Craig Burgess at the 8 minute mark. The early goal opened up
The game and WA were able to move the ball around much more convincingly. This resulted in several penalty corners from circle penetrations and
A powerful well timed drive from Peter Crowe at the penalty corner resulted the 2nd goal at the 18th minute mark.

From here WA dominated the game with possession in SA’s defensive half. David Lockett claimed the third and final goal with only five minutes to go.
A well fought game indeed. Dom Berry was unlucky to recruit a green card for a tackle late in the second half. The only one during the game.

Result: WA 3 – SA 0
Goal Scorers: C. Burgess, P. Crowe, D. Lockett
Best player as nominated by SA: Jimmy Miller
Best player as nominated by WA: Paul Scicluna

WA vs ACT - Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Bunbury

A late night game on the second turf in Bunbury for a fixture that was not going to affect our position on the ladder, could have been reason enough for not playing our best. However a comprehensive 9-0 win over ACT showed signs of character and discipline in this team.

The game was re-scheduled 30 minutes earlier than the expected start time and with a shortened warm-up, the team started slowly but steadily. Goals to Jimmy Miller and Crowie in the first 15 minutes gave it a handy start. Then in a moment of drama, the ACT keeper decided Burgo’s 50th Birthday celebration should come to an end. His late and clumsy tackle resulted in a Yellow card. Locks took advantage at the next short and scored off a deflection. A 3-nil lead at half time was sound if not spectacular.

The second half was a reward for the loyal spectators who braved the cold late night. Willow found Burgo with a precise pass and Burgo finished well. Jimmy then scored his second goal with another Tomahawk, (becoming a habit of late). Then Pesty single handedly intercepted an ACT attack, dribbled through traffic and his shot from the top of the circle was out of reach of the still angry ACT Keeper. Quick passing down the left saw Crowie trap the ball deep, dribble along the base line to the near post, drew the keeper, flicked the ball into the net and made it back to the centre line in six steps.

Simon Walsh’s hard work during the week was finally rewarded with his first goal off a short corner. Also a first goal to new comer Paul Scicluna who after a slick pass from Locks showed strength at the top of the circle before finishing with a strong shot. A very convincing win which will give us a lot of confidence as we head into the second week.

Result: WA 9 – ACT 0
Goal Scorers: J. Miller (2), D. Lockett, P. Crowie (2), G. Burgess, S. Pestana, S. Walsh, P. Scicluna
Best player as nominated by ACT: Stephen Pestana
Best player as nominated by WA: D. Lockett