U20 Round 4 (ML1): Mounties Wanderers FC vs Canterbury Bankstown FC

Final Score: Mounties 1 - 3 Berries

A full 90 minutes at right-fullback, and a game which was both disappointing and aggravating. We were 2-0 down after the first 10 minutes, an extremely poor start as we gave ourselves the task to claw back into the game. A few chances came and went for us and we eventually brought one goal back early in the second half, then conceding a penalty which was converted. The second half became very physical and dirty as the other team was time-wasting and fighting for their first points of the season. The majority of my team fell into the trash-talking trap the other team was setting which meant we lost our grip of the game and had no clear opportunity to score, equalise, or win. Individually, my first half was pretty average and wasn’t feeling too fresh. Throughout the game I was very positive on the ball however in the first half especially, my work rate wasn’t as good as my second half and I just felt slower physically. In the second half I was as good as I could be, with the majority of the game and incidents occurring on the other (left) side of the pitch which left me with little work to do at times, however I was trying my best in defence, on the ball, and to try and settle the team to focus as much as I could.

U18 Round 2 (YL2): Hakoah FC vs Mounties Wanderers FC

Final Score: Hakoah 0 - 3 Mounties

Following the defeat in the 20’s, I was asked to play for the 18’s the next day. I played 60 minutes at CDM and had a decent game. I was introduced with 15 minutes left in the second half, and it took me those 15 minutes to understand the position and get used to it after not having played there in a long time. My work ethic and communication was good through the game and did well dealing with my tired body. The team was much better than the opposition and deserved the win which was received. I had a few good moments but I think the highlight was my work ethic especially after an intense 90 minutes the day before.