THE weather was hot but the competition was hotter as teams tried to lock in semi-final spots in the Bulahdelah Twilight Soccer Comp.
In the early game Dad’s Army put up strong resistance but were no match for d’Illusioned, going down 9-0.
Last year’s Golden Boot winner, Dylan Guthrie, showed he hasn’t lost his touch by slotting home five goals and winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
In the battle for the Wooden Spoon it was Saligna defeating RazorBacks 12-1.
For the first time in seven weeks the Backs had a substitute but it was to no avail. Ross Talbot scored six for Saligna but it was Josh Small who took MVP honours for the losing side.
Woftam were too good for Thriftylink Titans, winning 7-3. The young Titans played some good football but couldn’t peg back the bigger, faster side. Chris Buckley finished with four goals for Woftam, taking his tally to 11 in the last four weeks but it was Josh Jones who scored a double for Titans getting the MVP award.
Tea Gardens Hotel took on the high-flying Pythons who were without their gun goal-scorer Brad Keaton following a run-in with a bullrout.
A double to Nathan Colver and a goal to Madge weren’t enough to get them home however, as the young Pythons continued on their winning way, finishing 5-3 in front. Mitch Aquilina scored a hat-trick and Jake Hacene took out MVP.
Plough Inn took on Bullrouts (the team, not the fish that got Brad) in a match that had a major bearing on places in B Div for the finals. Plough Inn jumped three spots on the table with a 1-0 win. Dave Morgan fired home the winner and Jamie Gordon won the MVP. In the other late match, front-runners Mayers Flat took on the fourth-placed Red Rockets in what was a very high standard game. Controversy, five yellow cards, two red cards; this game had it all.
The final score of 2-2 certainly whet the appetite as these sides should face each other in the semis in a fortnight. Goals to Arian Finlay and Simon Spooner for the Rockets, while Mal Hunter and John Kell scored for Mayers Flat. MVP to Joel Fittock.
With one week left the A Div finalists will be Mayers Flat, d’Illusioned, Down to Earth Pythons and Red Rockets.
Woftam, Tea Gardens and Dad’s Army are safely in B Div but there is a three-way battle for the final spot.
The Titans face an uphill battle against leaders Mayers Flat whilst Plough Inn control their own destiny - a win against Dad’s Army will keep them safe but a draw plus a Bullrouts victory over Saligna will see it come down to goal difference.
Saligna and SoccerWhos? round out the C Div finals with the luckless RazorBacks taking out the wooden spoon.
They didn’t win any games (yet – they take on 12th-placed SoccerWhos this week) but they did win admirers with their carefree approach to the game.
Forty-five goals last week – who knows how many this Thursday?
Why not come down and check out the games.
Matches start at 5.30pm and run for three hours in total.
Important dates:
February 12- semi-finals
February 19 Grand Finals.
February 14 and 21: Registration days for winter soccer in Stroud St just outside the Medical Centre from 9am midday.
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