Quake travelled to Canberra on the weekend to take on Boomerangs FS and we were hoping for a better trip than last year’s visit. The junior teams got us off to a flying start but the momentum faltered later in the day. Still, with 5 wins and a draw we were able to bring back 16 valuable Club Championship points which was a big improvement on last year.

Brief reports follow:

Academy: Proudly Sponsored by Xtreme Locksmiths

Again the boys had to play against a 12s ‘keeper and again this limited the number of opportunities the boys were able to convert. On the balance of play the teams were very even but the lads were just edged by Boomerangs. Can we make it mandatory that Academy squads pick and develop ‘keepers next year?

12 Boys: Proudly Sponsored by 40 Winks Campbelltown: Quake 9 (Nicholas Andrews 1, Jayden Barna 2, Andrew Head 2, Angelo Kalamvokis 1, Adrian Neoklis 1, Yousef Sawalha 1, Daniel Wilmering 1) def Boomerangs 1

It never rains but it pours. After being in position to win a majority of their games the boys faded late in games and were yet to record a win. But all that changed this weekend and the lads scored their first win – and what a win it was. It poured goals and the boys made up for lost time by cracking 9 against Boomerangs. Admittedly it was a battle of the cellar dwellers but the result confirmed that the boys are much better than their table position suggests. Well done on your first win boys!

12 Girls: Proudly Sponsored by JR Electrical: Quake 5 (Rosie Galea 3, Andrea Murtagh 1, Emily North 1) def Boomerangs 2

After a hesitant first half in which the girls still had chances to establish a good lead they fell behind to a cracking goal and were down 0-1 at the half. To their credit they listened to what was said at half time and came out firing, scoring 3 quick goals to take charge of the match. From that point onwards they controlled the match and ran out convincing winners and kept their spot in the top 4. The sign of a good team is fixing things on the run and the girls did just that this weekend.

14 Boys: Proudly Sponsored by Capital Steel Buildings Southwest: Quake 9 (Luke Carbone 1, Bradon Clissold 2, Anthony Haddad 2, Khit Khet 1, Liam McGing 2, OG) def Boomerangs 4

The lads dominated this match and thanks to some less than stellar goalkeeping they scored pretty much at will. There were still some defensive lapses that need to be worked on but the boys put in a decent performance and made the trip to Canberra worthwhile. These lads will be a threat come finals time.

14 Girls: Proudly Sponsored by Clintons Toyota: Quake 1 (Ash Norman) drew with Boomerangs 1

Probably the girls most lacklustre effort so far this season. This was a game they looked like winning easily but nearly lost in the end. Something is not quite right with the girls because when they play to their potential they are 10 times better than this and a real finals chance. When the girls start believing in themselves again the game will become easier and more enjoyable.

16 Boys: Proudly Sponsored by Einhell Australia: Quake 1 (Marko Filipovic) def Boomerangs 0

This was an absolutely cracking game from the outset with the Boomerangs ‘keeper making save after save only to be matched by Jamie in the Quake goals. We saw end to end play with plenty of shots on goal. Finally Marko conjured a little bit of Filipovic magic and scored the winner with about 5 minutes to go and the boys were good enough to hold on. Perhaps some more back stick runs and passes may have made things easier for the lads but this was a good win.

16 Girls: Proudly Sponsored by Macarthur Marble & Granite: Quake 3 (Hanna Davey, Logan Garard, Ruby Mosca) def by Boomerangs 5

Another below par performance but this week the girls were made to pay the ultimate price. Leading 1-0 and cruising, the girls copped 2 quick goals and it was all downhill from there. The girls had 1 or 2 patches of good play and made it look easy and then kept going back into their shells. Let’s hope next week’s match against arch rivals Magic fires the girls up and they deliver their best.

Youth Proudly Sponsored by A.H. Beard: Quake 0 def by Boomerangs 2

The lads just didn’t get anything going this week. They had plenty of opportunities but made things easy for the Boomerangs ‘keeper by taking the wrong option or hitting it where he could get to it easily. Boomerangs really only had 4 chances and took 2 and that pretty much sums up the game.

Women: Proudly Sponsored by Bella Arts Graphic Design: Quake 5 (Lauren Ralston 2, Claire Walsh 2, Sharon Walsh 1) def Boomerangs 2

An emphatic performance by the girls with only some excellent keeping from the Boomerangs ‘keeper making the score tight at the half. But a change of Boomerangs ‘keeper and Quake upping the tempo saw the girls dominate the 2^nd half and run out deserved winners. Lauren Ralston was excellent as was Dolly and Claire and Sharon continues to improve each match. The ladies maintain their 3 point lead at the top of the table.

Men: Proudly Sponsored by United Tools Liverpool: Quake 2 (Bruno Antelmi 1, Shannon Fielding 1) def by Boomerangs 3

This was a real heartbreaker. The lads deserved at least a draw from this game after coming back form 0-1 down to lead 2-1 halfway through the 2^nd half. It was only a miracle goal from Daniel Fulton that beat them and even then the boys had a chance to equalise with Bruno blasting a shot from a tight angle that beat Angelo in goals but clipped the crossbar. A fantastic effort with both goals scored by Youth players and the older players leading the way in a very gutsy effort. Special mention to Harley who’s 2^nd half turned the match on its head. Hard luck boys.