MWFA

Brookvale to remain grounded

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Following last weekend’s 2-1 win over Pittwater RSL at Kitchener Park, Brookvale women’s Premier League coach Michael Cimino said he’d been stressing to his players not to get over-confident.
Brookvale’s challenge this week comes in the form of Manly Vale on Sunday at Grahams Reserve. Against a Manly Vale team that beat them twice last year, you’d assume that would not be hard.

“Pittwater had a few players out and we did get the win but Manly Vale is a great side and we have to stay composed,” Cimino said.
Brookvale’s new captain Michelle Sym “has been great with the girls and is really improving week in and week out, on and off the field,” according to Cimino.

“She’s a great leader and the team respects her. But we don’t really have any standout players, we are more like a unit. And we just want to play for each other.”

“Last year they beat us twice and beat us well,” Cimino said. “They are pretty good all around the park and have some quality strikers. I guess in this competition it’s all about how well you contain the other team’s attackers. So we definitely will be working on defence. I think it will be a cracker of a game and we will try to make it as difficult as possible for them.”
Manly Vale coach Tony Bruzzano agreed. “It will be a tough match, no doubt about that. Brookvale are a young squad and last year was the first in WPL top grade for most of their players. We know they will have improved from last season, especially after they racked up a win last weekend.

“From our first round match against them last year to the second round, they showed a massive improvement in their game. Our girls respect the fact Brookvale’s young squad will be out to show how competitive they are, and how much they have further developed,” Bruzzano said.
Bruzzano said his team would be focused on attack.

“Six games into the season we are hoping to continue building key combinations amongst the playing group. We hope to have all players available. Training has been good with our focus on attacking plays,” Bruzzano said.

In Sunday’s other WPL game, Mosman takes on Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders at Allan Border Oval. Kick-off is at 3pm. On Wednesday night at 7pm Beacon Hill plays Manly Allambie at Beacon Hill Reserve and Seaforth host Wakehurst at Seaforth Oval.

By Matt Cleary

“I believe in them all”: Mosman coach Tinker says players primed ahead of big game at Narrabeen

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After a bright start to the season in which they were running second behind powerful CC Strikers, Mosman has slumped to sixth on the MWFA Premier League ladder following three consecutive losses.
Mosman coach Luke Tinker told MWFA Media he would prefer not to say too much ahead of this week’s match with Narrabeen at Narrabeen High. And then he did anyway.
“All I will say is that we’ve lost three in a row after a really strong start. (In the then top-of-the-table clash) CC strikers were the better team on the day and deserved the points. But to be 1-nil up with 15 minutes to go against Wakehurst and 2-1 up and looking comfortable against Saints last week, also with fifteen to go – and to lose both games and drop 6 points we are of course disappointed.
“But you learn and move on. We have an honest, resilient and hard-working group of players. And I believe in every single one of them. We had a fantastic (4-1) result Tuesday night in the Challenge Cup versus Curly (at Abbott Road) with a mix of first grade and reserve players. So we take confidence from that performance into Saturday,” Tinker said.
Tinker said the club “is in a terrible position injury-wise” and that “sometimes you need a little bit of luck”.
“But some of our younger, reserve grade players – James Mulder, Seb Bellew, Pieter Bas Dalebout, Rory Martin – have been stepping up to first grade and been outstanding,” Tinker said.
Asked about his opponents on Saturday, Tinker admitted he didn’t know a lot.
“I do know Narrabeen have a strong squad and are always competitive in both grades. But all I can go off is our games last season and we picked up six points over two matches. So we are hoping we can repeat that Saturday,” Tinker said.
Narrabeen is also welcoming players back from injury and suspension and is also buoyed by a win in the MWFA Cup on Tuesday night; in their case 2-0 over Seaforth at Seaforth Oval.
“As a squad everyone has been training well and performing,” Narrabeen coach Ross Talarico said. “That was shown on Tuesday night when we had quite a few players from the Ressies making their 1st grade debuts.
“We are slowly getting players back from injuries and suspensions, they’ve crippled us in the last few weeks. We’re not yet at full strength but it will be good to have a face or two back.”
Talarico admitted his side’s form over the last month has been patchy with glimmers of sunshine. “We’ve been okay, not great,” he said. “We know what we can produce on the field. It’s a matter of giving it the polish it deserves come game day.
“We’re in for a big game against Mosman who boast a strong backline with James Bell, a midfielder in Finn Mack who plugs the holes and Jordan Perkins who creates chances in the top third. I expect they’ll hit us on counter-attack.
“But in the end all we can do is turn up and be ready for battle. We know where we want to be at season’s end and these upcoming matches are crucial to achieving those goals at the end of the season.”

In other games Curl Curl hosts Seaforth at Abbott Road BTH Raiders take on Brookvale at Wyatt Reserve, Saint Augustine’s play Harbord at Grahams Reserve while Wakehurst takes on top-of-the-table CC Strikers at Lionel Watts.

By Matt Cleary

Manly Vale’s PL team physio praised as hero in club’s 1-0 loss to Seaforth

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Seaforth had its first men’s Premier League win of the season on Saturday afternoon at Seaforth Oval with a 1-0 victory over Manly Vale. Yet it was the actions of MVFC PL team physio Sam Beard from Seaforth Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre that drew most acclaim from Seaforth coach Jordan Lefebvre.

“I’m obviously pleased with the win but first and foremost I’d like to give a shout out to the Manly Vale physio for his help and care for our goalkeeper who was knocked out in the final stages of the game.

“The entire club is very thankful for Sam’s help and it just shows that in a game that could affect who plays in Premier League next year, the safety and welfare of the players takes priority over points on the table.

“We can’t thank Manly Vale enough,” Lefebvre said, who added that after three hours observation Moss was released from hospital with his family.

“He got some scans and got the all-clear. We’d have liked to visit him after the match but Covid restrictions didn’t allow it,” Lefebvre said.

Ten minutes into the match Hugo Weston got Seaforth on the board after patient buildup was followed by the “cutting edge in the final third we’ve been lacking”, according to Lefebvre.

Asked if there was a turning point in the match, Lefebvre said it was “hands down” the three-way collision that caused Moss’s concussion with six minutes to go.

“For our squad to see their team-mate in a state like that and taken away in an ambulance, and then to recover to see out the game, it showed real character. The squad fought admirably.

“We’ve been grafting for so long and it’s hard to not see results for all the hard work. To finally get the result is a really nice reward. The team did what we’ve been speaking about and it finally all came together,” Lefebvre said.

In other games Pittwater RSL and Narrabeen drew 1-1, CC Strikers belted BTH Raiders 3-0,  Brookvale lost 5-2 at home to Curl Curl, Mosman lost 3-2 to Saint Augustine’s and Harbord were crushed 4-0 by Wakehurst.

Manly Vale too good for Beacon Hill at David Thomas

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Manly Vale women’s Premier League coach Tony Bruzzano was feeling positive ahead of Sunday’s match with Beacon Hill because for the first time this season he could call upon his full complement of players. And then his captain, Ali Warman, pulled out at the last minute.

Not to worry. In a hard-fought and willing affair at David Thomas Reserve, it was stand-in skipper Jules Waugh who sealed the 2-0 win when she ran onto a great through-ball, out-sprinted the defence and, ice-cool and composed, finished past an advancing ‘keeper for the win.

“Manly Vale and Beacon Hill always put on good games and yesterday did not disappoint!” Bruzzano exclaimed. “It was a good day for us – wins in both grades. I’m extremely pleased with both results. If we can keep our players fit and healthy, we will be challenging at the back end of the season. The girls are all putting in great efforts at training and are enjoying their football.”

Vale perhaps had the better of the first half, coming close on several occasions forcing fine saves by Beacon Hill’s keeper. And it wasn’t until the last few seconds of the first half when Manly Vale finally broke through.

It was a Samantha Spackman shot that brought out a diving save from the ‘keeper who couldn’t hold the ball, with Lauren Bullock following through to tap it in.

The second half was an equally good battle with Beacon Hill pushing numbers forward in search of an equaliser. Yet Vale’s defence was strong, led well by Ash Kirby, Ceri-Ann Greco and Mia Waddington.

Georgia Goulding and Samantha Spackman were also strong for Manly Vale while Madi Brilman and Jordan Clay came into the game also and “were fantastic in defence, too,” according to Bruzzano.

“And our goalkeeper, Lauren Scaramuzza, produced a handful of big moments when she was called on to make impressive saves,” Bruzzano said.

In other games Pittwater RSL went down to Brookvale 2-1, Seaforth crushed BTH Raiders 7-2 while Manly Allambie continued on their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Mosman. Wakehurst enjoyed the bye.

Raiders high on confidence ahead of Seaforth challenge

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Andy Saunders is upbeat. Despite losing the Challenge Cup final on Wednesday night 4-0 to the one of the best teams in the competition, the coach of BTH Raiders women’s Premier League team took plenty from the match.

“This team, the confidence is really starting to build. We’re a brand new team. And every week we’re getting a bit better, a bit more confident. The final against Manly Allambie was great for the girls. We obviously didn’t get the result. But everyone was fine after the game. In a really good spot. We know we’re on the improve. That breeds confidence.

“We’ll have a better idea of where we’re at after a full round and everyone’s played each other. But confidence is building,” Saunders said.

BTH Raiders sit second-last on the women’s Premier League ladder and face fourth-placed Seaforth on Sunday at Wyatt Reserve. Standout players in recent games have included Izzy Keech, Sam Freeman, Chloe Higgins and Somerset Littleboy.

For Saunders, though, “it’s more about the team than individuals”.

“We’re always pushing for a team effort, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “With the ball we like to hold onto it, control the game, play a passing style of football. But it’s often about who we are playing. Some teams will let you do it, some teams won’t.”

Will Seaforth let them? Saunders chuckled when he said: “I’m not entirely sure. We’ll setup to give ourselves the best chance of playing our natural game and then as the game progresses, we’ll adjust if we have to.”

Saunders then laughed and apologised in advance for the cliché.

“We’re taking each game as it comes,” he said.

In other games Pittwater RSL take on Brookvale at Kitchener Park, Manly Vale hosts Beacon Hill at David Thomas Reserve and Challenge Cup champions Manly Allambie return to Millers reserve to play Mosman. Table-toppers Wakehurst will enjoy the bye.

By Matt Cleary

Hunt moots all-out attack in battle of 2nd-vs-3rd

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Brookvale coach Mark Hunt heads a perennially strong outfit which sits second on the MWFA Premier League ladder with seven wins in 9 games. And this Saturday at Grahams Reserve, against rising Curl Curl FC – six wins in 9 games including the last five straight – Hunt has decided to think outside the square.

Asked his game plan for third-placed Curl Curl, Hunt said: “Sounds like I might have try a 1950s line up of 1-2-3-5!”

He jests, of course.

Or does he? Curl Curl is clearly in form and all-out attack might not be the worst tactic against a team that’s netted 16 goals in its last five games conceded just 3. With his serious hat on, Hunt acknowledged that his team faces a genuine contender in Curl Curl FC.

“They have recruited extensively for this season. Some good acquisitions who are known to our lads. Five wins on the trot is not easy in this league.

“We know they won’t give us an inch so we’ll have to win our one-on-one contests. The lads know that. They know that winning those battles will entitle us to play the expansive, attacking game we can. It’s the best way to win the game,” Hunt said.

Asked to single out “opponents to watch” and “weaknesses to exploit” in his opponents, Hunt demurred.

“Surely five wins on the trot would suggest they have no weaknesses to exploit. I prefer to focus on our game plan in the lead-up to games and then give honest praise to opposition where due,” Hunt explained.

Asked to nominate members of his own team due for a big game, Hunt was equally circumspect. “The lads are all chipping in collectively. There are no stand-outs for us. Some of our best contributions come from players who wouldn’t catch the eye of most supporters.

“We will look to play attractively as we always do with a focus on execution and continuing to build on our philosophy of play,” Hunt said.

In other games Collaroy Cromer Strikers take on Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders at St Matthews Farm Reserve, Pittwater RSL plays Narrabeen at Kitchener Park, Seaforth is up against Manly Vale at Seaforth Oval, Mosman and Saint Augustine’s do battle at Middle Head Oval while Harbord hosts Wakehurst at Harbord Park.

By Matt Cleary

“Real Cup final”: Manly Allambie beats BTH Raiders to win club’s greatest trophy

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It was billed as the biggest game in Manly Allambie United history and had an atmosphere to match with hundreds of supporters in Cromer Park’s grandstand to see the MWFA Challenge Cup final on Wednesday night.

And while BTH Raiders were worthy finalists, the goodwill towards Manly Allambie after they fulfilled their destiny and won 4-0 spilled out of Cromer Park and into the night.

Victorious Manly Allambie coach Kyle Cannon said it was a “huge occasion for the players and the club”.

“There were so many fans and it was very good to play in. It had a real ‘Cup final’ feel. Afterwards there was a tremendous round of applause from supporters. It meant a great deal to our club and it was great so see so many people there as the club claimed its first major trophy,” Cannon said.

Yet BTH Raiders had come to play and in the first 30 minutes created several chances. Cannon admitted his team “were on the back foot a little”. Yet his experienced team has been together for several years. And when the goals needed scoring, Ellen Wheatley stepped up.

She banged in two in the first half, and another 5 minutes from full time to claim her hat-trick, with Tiffany Patterson’s curled-in corner providing the other goal.

The first goal came in the 17th minute when Wheatley shot from outside the box on an angle and dipped the ball just under the crossbar. The other two were similar though she beat defenders on both occasions and rifled strikes home from just inside the 18-yard box.

The score at half-time was 2-0, after which Manly Allambie decided to sit deeper and let BTH come to them and their experienced backline.

“Our backline played very well and mopped up everything in the second half,” Cannon said. “We were confident we could get the job done, particularly after Tiffany curled her corner kick straight in. Ellen’s hat-trick in the final five minutes was the icing on the cake.”

Or in the case of the team, the pepperoni on the pizzas they enjoyed later at the Brookie Hotel.

BTH coach Andy Saunders paid tribute to both teams.

“We started really well and were extremely competitive for the first 30 minutes. We were probably unlucky not to score a goal or two. But credit to Manly Allambie, they’ve played together a long time and were the better team on the night. But I was delighted for our girls. We’re a completely new team and they enjoyed the experience.”

Saunders said best for his team were centre-back Izzy Keech who was “outstanding”, defensive midfielder Jazz Hill who “ran all night”, while “Chloe Higgins and Ella Barrington up front created so many opportunities and were unlucky not to score”.

“But it was more about the team,” Saunders said. “Everyone had a red hot crack. We’ll be better for it,” Saunders said.

Forest Killarney Members Day – Neuroblastoma Australia Fundraiser

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FKFC is excited to invite all members to Melwood for some fun and festivities on Saturday 22nd May 2021. FKFC is looking to celebrate football across the club starting with our fantastic U6’s in the morning and finishing with our Men’s AL1’s under lights. The AL1 first grade side will be wearing a special charity jersey for the night thanks to a number of sponsors for the event.

 

Fundraising across the day will raise money for Neuroblastoma Australia as Club President (Giuseppe Guerrera) and Secretary (Chris Lynch) prepare for Trek2Cure 2021. Neuroblastoma is a debilitating cancer impacting children between 0-5 years old with patients impacted by aggressive tumours only 50% of patients surviving the treatment. Donations can be made directly on the fundraising page for the charity https://neuroblastoma-larapinta-2021.raisely.com/chris-lynch

 

The FKFC Members days will include entertainment for the kids with jumping castles, face painting and other fun football related activities and prizes. The canteen will be providing some special menu items throughout the day including brisket burgers that were a favourite across summer football.

 

FKFC have launched a raffle to support the fundraising, the major prize winners will be announced on the day. All raffle prizes are donations for the charity from the community and all prizes will be updated on the FKFC website.

https://www.fkfc.com.au/raffle-prizes/

Final Coaching Courses Coming Up Soon

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There are now only 3 official FFA Coaching Courses remaining in the MWFA Coach Development Calendar during the current season, for any coaches still keen to pick up some ideas on how to organise fun, safe and engaging training sessions.

8 female coaches recently completed the first ever Female Only Skill Training coaching course, which was presented by MWFA Female Coaching Scholarship winners Sai van Wegen and Marilinda Winter, all of whom had a lot of fun themselves while taking home many new coaching tips and skills.

MWFA Coach Development Manager Eugene Lawrenz said that Sai and Mim did a fantastic job presenting the course:

“I’m very proud of both of them, and want to thank them for their efforts and commitment to helping develop coaches on the Northern Beaches. The feedback received and response from those who attended was very positive and enthusiastic. I would strongly encourage any other coaches looking for a similar opportunity to learn and get some help for working with their team not to miss out, and to register for one of our remaining courses”.

 

MiniRoos Coaching Courses

This course is designed for coaches involved with age groups U6 to U11, as well as any new coaches looking for guidance and ideas of how to run fun and engaging training sessions. The course is fully practical and interactive.

 

Skill / Game Training Coaching Courses

These courses are designed to up-skill coaches of age groups U8 to U13, and U14+, respectively. Both are fully practical, with the Skill Training dealing with the development of the 4 Functional Game Skills (First Touch, Striking the Ball, Running with the Ball and 1 v 1), while the Game Training deals with the development of tactical awareness and applying the Functional Game Skills in a team setting.

 

Coach Workshops

MWFA will continue to offer a number of coach workshops throughout the remainder of the season, some at Cromer Park and others at various clubs. These coach education opportunities aim to provide ongoing guidance and advice throughout the season, and to compliment official FFA coaching courses, with topics based on feedback received on what coaches would find valuable.

See here for more details: https://www.mwfa.com.au/2021/05/11/upcoming-coach-workshop-transition-from-miniroos-to-full-pitch-football/