Quake Match Report

Saturday 4^th February

The first week of the semi final series begun with Quake having a Club record 7 teams in the play-offs. Amazingly, after an extremely competitive day, all 7 teams are still alive and will contest the finals, seeking a spot in each of the Grand Finals. The three teams that competed in elimination semis all were successful. Unfortunately, our 4 teams that were playing for the first grand final spots went down narrowly. In the end a great day as Quake aims high in next week’s finals.

12 girls – Quake 5 (Hannah Davey 4, Rosie Galea 1) – Dural 2

What a start to the Quake day! Surely classified as a huge upset, our girls played the game of the year outplaying the more physical Dural girls. Not only did our girls play well but they scored some outstanding goals, a credit to themselves and coach Leesa Thomson. Hannah was incredible with 4 great goals whilst Angie in goals was amazing. They now play Mascot Vipers for the right to play the Grand final

14 boys – Quake 3 (Alex De Bernardi, Luke Pereira, OG) – Allstars 4

This was always going to be a tough ask against the undefeated Premiers. After a slow start, Quake found themselves down 3-0 at the break with a mountain to climb. Some well chosen words from Coach James Gilligan saw some renewed spirit and the boys scored 2 goals via Luke and Alex to give Quake some hope. In the end, Quake went down by just the one goal and should take plenty from their spirited fight back. They now play Sydney City in what should be a great game.

14 girls – Quake 1 (Jemma Crane) – Allstars 3

Another showdown with Allstars and another disappointment, although the game was a lot closer than the score reflects. Quake had plenty of chances which they could not convert. The game went down to the wire when 2 late goals sealed the victory for the deserving Allstars. Quake now play Enfield in the preliminary final.

16 boys – Quake 4 (Danny Araujo 2, Bruno Antelmi 2) – Rovers 6

This was a classic game that could have gone either way. Quake took an early lead in the 2^nd minute via Bruno. However, Rovers took advantage of some defensive lapses and Quake went to the break down 1-2. Quake continued to struggle defensively and found themselves 2-4 down with 6 minutes to go. At this point, Quake employed the 5^th man formation and scored 2 late goals to take this epic to extra time. However, Quake found themselves in foul trouble and when they conceded the 6^th foul, it sent Rovers to the 10 meter penalty spot which they duly converted. From here, the 5^th man returned, this time to no avail, with Rovers running out deserving winners. Quake must now take on Sydney City for the right to play Rovers in the decider.

Youth Men – Quake 0 – Dural 1

This was also a great game. In the vast home court of Dural, the home side always seemed to be in control. Quake played well in defence but this seemed to rob them any attacking flair. Whilst the first half was even and finished scoreless, the 2^nd was a different story, with Dural in the offensive and Quake containing them. But, with 4 minutes to go, a ball played to the Dural target was turned in by Blake Rosier to hand Dural the win and first Grand final spot. Quake will now meet Mascot in the preliminary final for a right to a re-match with Dural.

Women – Quake 3 (Claire Walsh, Stephanie Haim, Laura Donnelly) – Dural 1

In another elimination final, our girls came out firing and never really looked in doubt. After some disappointing performances mid-way through the season, the girls redeemed themselves and now find themselves just one win from the grand final. Quake must now play Enfield for the right to play Sydney City in the decider.

Men – Quake 8 (Shane Ardle 3, Mark Symington 3, Danny Martinez 2) – Sydney City 3

On a day of surprises, we left the biggest upset until the end. The star-studded Sydney City side looked odds-on favourites against a Quake team missing some key personnel. The game could not have started better for Quake as Danny scored the first of his double in the first minute. Zeballos equalised just a minute later to return parity. However, a handball in the D gave Symo a chance to score his first of 3 from the spot and give Quake the lead. Shane Ardle scored next, followed by Danny, meaning that within 10 minutes, Quake were up 4-1. Symo then scored his second before Miles Downie got one back to send the teams to the break, the score 5-2 Quake’s way.

The vast crowd present were waiting for a Sydney City revival, but it was Quake who scored the next 2 to give Campbelltown a 5 goal buffer. And when Ardle scored his third with just 6 minutes to go, it was all over and Quake had progressed to the next game. It was a fantastic team effort, with special mention to Shane Borg in goals who kept Quake in the game.

Quake now meets Enfield Monday night 7:30 pm at the Morris Iemma Stadium, Riverwood.