Gippsland FC returned to the pitch this week and the boys turned on the style with a clean sweep of victories. The under 13’s were emphatic winners, the under 14’s continued their fine season with a win, the under 15’s showed their potential and the under 18’s finished their season in style.

Under 13’s
The young boys travelled to Sandringham SC for an early morning kick off. Any worries of sleepiness were quickly dismissed as they finally turned on the magic to achieve what they have been threatening to do all season – take their opposition apart.

In average conditions, the boys played exceptionally well, taking their impressive training ground performances onto the field. In a pleasing outcome all five forwards grabbed a goal. Harrison Meyer, Owen Zimora, Julian Colantuono, Manny Scarlett and Jordan Hathaway all hit the target.

The boys controlled the tempo of the game and their quick passing and ball movement was too much for the opponents. A 2-1 half time was converted to 5-1 by the end and to be fair the margin could have been a lot larger.

It would be unfair to single out the best players in what was a consummate team performance.

Under 14’s
The U14’s took on the Peninsula Strikers who were sitting third on the ladder.

The boys started off well and were rewarded with an early goal when great lead up work from Connor Dastey and Jesse Buhagiar led to Dastey scoring with a well struck shot. GFC dominated possession and deservedly went up 2-0 when Buhagiar scored their second to go in leading at half time.

Gippsland started the second half like the first and took a three goal lead after Rueben O’Brien tapped in from close range. Peninsula scored a consolation goal late in the match to make the final score 3-1

It was one of GFC’s best efforts for the year against quality opposition. Caleb Semple, O’Brien and Buhagiar all played well.

The boys play Glen Eira away in their last game

Under 15’s
The under 15’s started the game well and took control from the kick off. The players moved the ball quickly and efficiently and set up a number of early scoring opportunities.

Adonya Victor opened the scoring 5 minutes into the first half with a well struck shot from the edge of the penalty area. Isaac Boulton repeated the dose shortly after pushing the GFC boys to an early 2-0 lead.

However, some over-confidence crept into the game and some over use of the ball allowed Chelsea to get back into the game putting the GFC boys under pressure.

GFC’s back four were working hard and soaked up the pressure being applied, capably led by Callum Slade, who marshalled the defence and repeatedly won the ball in the back third of the ground. The half time whistle sounded with GFC still holding a 2-0 advantage but the game had evened up.

After half time the Gippsland came out and showed a better work ethic and put pressure back on Chelsea. The second half was played more in the GFC attacking zone and resulted in two more goals, both scored by Zeb McLeod.

Chelsea tried hard and was nearly rewarded as a shot beat the keeper only to rebound back into play. GFC continued to apply pressure to Chelsea’s defence for long periods with Chelsea’s only option being to score on the break.

The game finished with a well-deserved 4-0 win to GFC. Best players were Slade, Ben Elliott and Adonya Victor.

Under 18’s
After another week on the sidelines and a bye scheduled for the Round 18, the U18’s travelled to Skye United for their last game of the season.

With not much to play for both teams, Skye came out ready to play and showed how much they’ve improved. Pressing hard Skye made it difficult for Gippsland to get their passing game going. Despite a number of clear one on one chances to Gippsland the sides went in deadlocked at half time.

Again Skye started positively in the second half and took an unsurprising lead after 4 minutes.

Gippsland was finally spurred into action and quickly responded thru Riley Winkleman-Atkinson two minutes later.

With their passing game finally coming together Gippsland dominated the rest of the second half with Winkleman-Atkinson hitting the post before scoring again and Keegan Grealy added a third to round off a solid season for the U18’s.

Best for the day was Keegan Grealy who toiled hard.

Despite no game next week the U18’s will finish clear third – a fine effort for a team often challenged by circumstances. Well done to all.

Coach Chris Van Lambaart said he was extremely proud of the efforts of all the players in what has ended up being a disrupted season.

This week’s matches – 28 August, 2016

This weekend sees the curtain come down on a momentous inaugural season for the club. Whilst the under 18’s season has already ended the under 13’s take on league leader Berwick SC at Burrage Reserve, Newborough, the under 14’s face Glen Eira away at 11.20am and the under 15’s wrap up the season, again away to Glen Eira at 3pm.

All teams will be looking to finish off the season with a strong result.