The Premier League kicked off on Saturday and Quake travelled to perennial powerhouses Vipers to see how we would fare. The day didn't start well with traffic chaos causing problems for many of the younger age groups with a large number of players just getting to the venue for kick off. This, along with the different level of play in Premier League may have had an effect on the players and could have been reflected in the results. Never the less, no excuses and overall the club has some work to do to get up to speed. Here are the match reports for each team.

Academy - Proudly Sponsored By Xtreme Locksmiths

The boys put on a brilliant display showing a high level of technical ability and tactical nous. As we know, the Academy games are non-competitive and the score is not kept. Having said that, the lads showed that they will be a handful when they do step up to the competitive grades.

12 Boys - Proudly Sponsored By 40 Winks Campbelltown: Quake 3 def by Vipers 8

A very slow start to the game and the boys were down 0-4 at the half. They then roared back scoring 3 goals in as many minutes and had all the momentum and threatened to storm home and run away with the match. Vipers then scored again and the boys stopped doing what got them back in the match and copped some poor goals on the break. In the end Vipers ran out comfortable, and deserved, winners. The boys learned the hard way what Premier League is all about.

12 Girls - Proudly Sponsored By JR Electrical: Quake 2 def by Vipers 6

Welcome to the Premier League girls. After starting the better of the sides and taking an early 2-0 lead the girls went away from the game plan and tried to do too much individually. Still, with the score at 2-2 at the half the game was there for the taking but the girls didn't take their chances and then didn't get back in defence. Special mention to Tiff Craig in goals. Playing her first real competitive game of futsal she was outstanding and was welcomed to the 'keepers club with a shot to the ear which she bravely recovered from. The good news? Plenty of indicators that if they work as a team the girls will do well and that they know what they have to work on and are willing to work on it.

14 Boys - Proudly Sponsored By Capital Steel Buildings Southwest: Quake 2 def by Vipers 3

The one that got away. The lads played well and controlled the match and went into the half at 2-0 up. Vipers then scored early in the second half and started to work their way back into the match. The last 2 goals scored by Vipers were conceded in disappointing fashion and then the lads couldn't score the equaliser even though they had some good chances. Not the result Jimmy and the boys were looking for but plenty of positives to come out of the game and with work the lads will be OK.

14 Girls - Proudly Sponsored By Clintons Toyota: Quake 2 def by Vipers 8

It looked like the girls were suffering a bad case of stage fright playing against a very experienced, tough and clinical Vipers side. The first half performance was hesitant to say the least and the girls went into the break 0-5 down. But give the girls credit, they came out in the 2nd half and took it to Vipers scoring in the first minute of the half and only going down 2-3 for the half. So, a very steep learning curve but the girls showed they are quick learners and expect them to improve as the season progresses.

16 Boys - Proudly Sponsored By Einhell Australia: Quake 5 def Vipers 1

After 4 losses on the trot the "nudie run" was on the cards but to everybody's relief the 16 Boys stepped up and delivered a quality performance which was very pleasing to watch. A very strong team performance from a team filled with quality players. The thing about this team is that they have patience and even when things are tight you get the feeling that they will ride it out and finish strongly. Special mention to Jamie Jallad in goals. He'd never played a completive game of futsal before today and he was exceptional.

16 Girls - Proudly Sponsored By Macarthur Granite and Marble: Quake 1 def by Vipers 3

The girls went down a goal from the first Vipers attack but worked their way back into the game to go into the break at 1-1. The game was evenly contested and could have gone either way until the girls conceded a sloppy goal with 4 minutes left and then Vipers sealed it with a 3rd just before full-time. The good news? This was a very flat performance by the girls and yet they could have won the game. If the girls pick up the intensity and get fired up they will live up to their potential.

Youth - Proudly Sponsored By A.H. Beard : Quake 4 drew with Vipers 4

An entertaining game but another that got away. The lads lead 3-1 at one stage and then very poor defensive lapses saw them go 3-4 down with not much time left. And it could have been much worse with Vipers missing 3 open goals in that time. To their credit the lads dug in and got the equaliser with just a few minutes left on the clock. Not settling for the draw the lads launched a counter attack with 20 seconds left and the ball fell to Bruno Antelmi who smashed a drive at goal and........hit the crossbar! So close. But in the end you would have to say that you'd take the draw. A promising start with the 16 Boys that filled in doing well - Ben Rodriguez scored 2 goals and Anson Gilligan pulling off a crunching, crucial last minute tackle - and Aaron Dalmazio getting a brace on debut. With 2 quality players to join the squad for next week's game things are looking bright.

Women - Proudly Sponsored By Bella Arts Graphics: Quake 2 def Vipers 1

A very entertaining game and a great advertisement for women's futsal. Fast paced, hard fought with great skills on show. Quake went a goal down early but just kept working. They eventually got the equaliser via Dolly Donnelly after a clear cut 6 metre penalty was awarded and then got the winner from a superbly taken goal by 16 Girls player Logan Garard. The girls had to hang on for the last several minutes but in the end ran out deserved winners. A tip of the hat to Dana Buttigieg from the 16 Girls filling in goals - she put in yet another strong performance between the sticks.

Men - Proudly Sponsored By United Tools Liverpool: Quake 3 def by Vipers 4

Ah, the game can be cruel sometimes. An inspiring performance by Shane Borg in goals kept Quake in the game in the first 15 minutes and with Vipers not taking their chances the stage was set for Quake to hit on the counter. And the lads scored two great team goals to go into the half at 2-0 up. But they came out slowly again in the 2nd half and this time Vipers weren't as wasteful and worked their way into a 2-3 lead. The lads didn't give up and scored a very well worked equaliser and then had the chance to take the lead from the 10 metre penalty spot but let the opportunity slip. Vipers then had to play on 6 fouls for 12 minutes and didn't concede another foul although they did have a player sent off for dissent. But even playing a man up Quake couldn't find a winner and then disaster struck when the boys were caught on the break and, despite Borgy making 2 great saves, the winner was bundled over the line in a goal mouth scramble. A very disappointing result after being 2-0 up but the signs are there that the team can be a force if they keep working hard.

Summary

A disappointing day with winning positions in 4 games being wasted. Still, Vipers are a very good club and there was enough good to come out of the games to suggest we will be a force again this year.

Next week we play Dural at Windsor.  As always, GO QUAKE!