MWFA

No mercy: Strikers pound wounded Brookvale

· · Leave a Comment

Collaroy Cromer Strikers have gone equal top of the Premier League ladder after an emphatic 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Brookvale at St Matthews Farm Reserve on Saturday.

A first half double to Rhys Vorillas was followed by a 70th minute own goal (from Vorillas’ cross) before Josh Ciabatti scored a consolation goal for Brookvale.

“It was a great performance from the guys,” Strikers coach Ryan Butcher said. “And we needed it – a loss would’ve put us six points adrift [of Brookvale]. So it was a non-negotiable for us and that’s how we played.

“It was probably the first time this year we really played for the full 90 minutes. We were relentless and everyone from the starting 11 to the bench played a part in keeping it going. We created a heap of chances and we were miserly at the back. There wasn’t much from the game that we would change. If anything we should’ve iced the game earlier.

“Brookie weren’t at full strength and had a bit of a casualty ward from the mid-week game. So we had to cash in. And we did.”

At a post-match function at Dee Why’s famous Time and Tide Hotel Vorillas was adjudged man-of-the-match by his team-mates. But Butcher said his team had contributors across the park.

“Jim van Weeren and Will Martin kept it very tight at the back and our midfield of Josh Cotton, Ryan Berry and Brody Strachan were on song. But it’s hard to single anyone out. To see the playing group hit their straps in a top-of-the-table clash at home in front of a big crowd was very rewarding. We also won 3-0 in reserves,” Butcher said.

Brookvale coach Mark Hunt praised his squad’s “collective team spirit” following a tough week which included a 120 min FFA Cup loss against NPL 4 side Prospect United.

“The players that stepped up from reserves or played out of position gave great accounts of themselves,” Hunt said. “It was a gruelling FFA Cup tie and I can’t emphasise enough how proud I was of our team spirit.

“Credit to Strikers, they were well-organised and their key men stepped up and played very well. The link-up play of their front three in particular was exceptional and they deserved the win.”

Elsewhere Narrabeen joined Brookvale and CC Strikers on top of the table after beating BTH Raiders 3-1 at Wyatt Reserve, Saint Augustine’s defeated Manly Vale 4-0 at Grahams Reserve and Curl Curl knocked over Wakehurst 2-1 at Lionel Watts.

By Matt Cleary.

Mosman prevail Brookvale at Millers

· · Leave a Comment

Brookvale FC suffered their first loss of the MWFA women’s Premier League competition when they went down 3-1 to Mosman at Millers Reserve on Sunday.

After conceding two early goals, Brookvale were “chasing the game”, according to coach Michael Cimino. “Mosman were very good playing out the back,” Cimino said. “Danie Riggio got a goal back for us around the 30-minute mark but Mosman really dominated us in the first half.

“I spoke to the girls at halftime and just told them we can’t concede early in the second half because we were still in the game. But ten minutes in we conceded and Mosman went up 3-1.

“We made a couple of subs, got a few injuries at the back, and needed to shuffle a few players around. But I was pleased how the girls reacted.”

He should’ve been. In the last 30 minutes it was all Brookvale.

Striker Tyla Clough had five one-on-ones, with one shot hitting the crossbar. Elissa Ford was brilliant and worked hard in the midfield and was Cimino’s choice for Brookvale’s best on ground.

“We also brought up a 16-year-old to play centre-back, Margaux Sieb, who replaced our injured captain and one of our best. And she matched up well against Mosman’s striker and really stopped her from getting any chances on goal.

“We have a long way to go but I think we played better this week than we did against BTH midweek in the Cup. We have a lot of young players and they are just gaining valuable experience with every game we play. The women’s Premier League in the MWFA is a strong competition and there are no easy games.

“I don’t think the score today actually reflected the game, it was a lot closer than it shows.” Cimino said.

Elsewhere at Millers Reserve, Manly Allambie beat Manly Vale 4-1 and Pittwater defeated BTH 5-2 at Wyatt.

By Matt Cleary.

Dean Buckridge: Fifty years a clubman

· · Leave a Comment

Dean Buckridge is 56 years old and has played football for Manly Vale FC for the last fifty of those years. “It might sound a bit boring but I just love the club and love playing football,” he said. “I don’t do much else, really. It’s just what I do.”

Just as well he likes it. For it’s estimated (because records don’t exist) that Buckridge has played over 1000 games of football. Manly Vale Secretary Roy Sider said Buckridge is the “ultimate clubman”.

“He’s here for the right reasons. He’s solid, loyal, a one club man. He’s maroon and white through and through. There’s no-one with stronger ties to Manly Vale and the football club – even if he does live in Allambie!” Sider laughed.

Buckridge began with the club in the U/7s in 1972. “It was just what I did,” he said. “I grew up on the street that runs by David Thomas Reserve. Me and the other local street kids would spend all our time on the oval, kicking it around with other guys I went to school with.”
In the late 70s and early 80s Manly Football Club (which would later merge with Allambie) had a gun junior team featuring stars Gary van Egmond, Bob Catlin and the odd surf club beach sprint champion. They were undefeated for seven seasons. They would win the league and cup double every year.

Sider, meanwhile, lived in Manly and couldn’t find a way into the team. He joined Manly Vale instead. And played for the next 45 years in the same team as Dean Buckridge. “We could never knock them off,” Buckridge says. “They were a great team.”

By the U/18s, though, when bigger things took van Egmond and Catlin away, Manly Vale had a decent team of their own, making the final of the Champion of Champions in 1983. They would lose but for a small club it was notable.

“And from there we just kept on playing,” Buckridge says.

That they did. As 20-somethings they played AL4s and won the odd trophy before taking on admin roles at the club. Sider’s been secretary for 20 years, Buckridge a coach and manager of O/35s and O/45s. And they’ve played and played and played. The club and game is the social glue of their lives. It’s kept them fit. It’s given them a place.

“Saturday afternoon at the football has been a constant of our lives,” Sider says. “We’ve been through marriages, breakups, kids, pandemics! It’s just something we love.”

Buckridge has played almost all of his 50 years as a defender. He can’t remember scoring too many goals outside of those he’s put into his own net. But when you play a thousand games in the last line of defence, you’re a chance of putting the odd one in.

Sider says Buckridge was – and remains – “a solid robust no-nonsense player”.

“He’s pretty quiet for a back, doesn’t bark orders. What you see is what you get. His one redeeming skill is that he’s a pretty good header of the ball. He’s just medium build but he’s got a good leap and confidence in the air.

“Otherwise, he’s unassuming. Not that talkative and the last bloke you’d think would be a manager. But his passion for the game and for the club has seen him step into the managerial role when no-one else has.

“And today he’s still burning for the club and for his team. He’s been running our teams as we’ve entered our football twilight.”

When will Buckridge stop playing?

“I haven’t thought about it,” he says. “I don’t know what else I’d do.”

Brookvale buzzing for top-of-the-table clash with Strikers

· · Leave a Comment

Justin Ciabatti, one half of the famous goal-scoring brotherly duo from Brookvale that goes by the handle “Smash and Grab”, is an up-beat and enthusiastic man at the best of times. You only had to see him on the grand final of the Channel Seven chasies show to know he’s a man that leaps out of his skin to face a challenge.

But when his team sits top of the ladder after four rounds and they’re playing the second-placed team on Saturday – and that team is CC Strikers – Ciabatti can go a little off the Richter.

“Love it!” exclaimed Ciabatti when asked if he was “pumped” or “afraid” ahead of the clash on Saturday with Strikers. “We are absolutely pumped and ready! We are 4-from-4 and ready to make it five!

“We know it’s going to be a tough battle on Saturday but our boys are up for it as I’m sure CC strikers will be! We have been working on our team culture and it has really brought us together as a group. I think this will be the difference on the weekend.”

Fresh in mind for the Brookvale squad will be their brave if heartbreaking 4-3 FFA Cup loss to NPL team Prospect United on Wednesday night. After Josh Ciabatti scored from a free-kick, Prospect equalised. Josh scored again from another long-range free kick, before Prospect equalised – in the 89th minute.

Into injury time and Josh scored again! A tap-in for his hat-trick. Prospect, of course, equalised. And then bare seconds before the final whistle scored again.

“It hurt – but we played well,” Justin said. “We pulled up really well. We unfortunately lost but we are super proud of the boys and the effort we put in against an NPL 4 squad. There are a couple of niggles here and there but nothing major. If anything the FFA Cup games have made us a stronger squad.”

 

CC Strikers take on Brookvale @ St Matthews Farm Reserve on Saturday at 3pm. All other games also kick-off at 3pm

Saint Augustine’s vs Manly Vale @ Grahams Reserve

BTH Raiders vs Narrabeen Football Club Firsts @ Wyatt Reserve

Harbord Football Club Firsts vs Seaforth FC Firsts @ Harbord Park

Mosman vs Pittwater RSL @ Middle Head Oval

Wakehurst vs Curl Curl @ Lionel Watts Oval

Tigers wary of mysterious Beacon Hill

· · Leave a Comment

Wakehurst Tigers Women’s Premier League coach Greg Chipman said he doesn’t know a lot about his opponent this Sunday at Narrabeen High because Beacon Hill had a bye in the first round. He does believe that Beacon Hill coach Vince Vescio knows about his team, however.

“Somebody did tell me their coach was watching us last week,” Chipman said. “So they probably know more about us than we do about them!”

“It was a very good win by Wakeurst over BTH,” Vescio said. “The big clubs like Wakehurst always have good juniors coming through. We’ll have to be right on our game to match them. It’s very early in the season and we don’t know for sure what we’ve got. But we’ve prepared very well and we’re excited for the challenge.”

Chipman, too, was very impressed by the 4-1 win.

“It was a great first up win,” Chipman said. “In first and reserve grade. The girls are feeling positive and excited. Couldn’t have been a better start.”

Asked to single out his best performers, Chipman struggled. “Across the squad we had some fantastic performances. Our back four were excellent. Great stability at the back. Lot of contributions up front and some great goals in a 4-1 win. We took our chances which was very pleasing.”

Asked what his team could improve upon, Chipman said words to the effect of “everything”.

“There’s a range of improvements across the board, a stack of different things that I wouldn’t want to isolate as one factor to improve. We’re a work in progress. We didn’t have a lot of trial games and lost some players. But the way the girls have played early is very pleasing.

“We want to play really high quality, expansive football, possession based and proactive in attack and defence. That requires a fair bit from the girls in terms of fitness, intensity, movement off the ball and composure when we’ve got it. That’s what we’re heavily focused on, a fast attractive style of football.”

 

All WPL matches kick off on Sunday at 3pm.

Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders vs Pittwater RSL @ Wyatt Reserve

Wakehurst vs Beacon Hill @ Narrabeen High

Mosman vs Brookvale @ Millers Reserve (Field 3)

Manly Allambie vs Manly Vale @ Millers Reserve (Field 2)

Seaforth Bye

Let the Kids play – Player and spectator behaviour

· · Leave a Comment

The MWFA and our 17 clubs are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive and friendly environment for all players, from the age of 6 through to over 45s, to enjoy their football.

 

We are united in our desire to protect the true essence of grassroots sport.

 

Ahead of the start of the junior competitions this weekend, the MWFA and clubs would like to remind all players and their parents/spectators, to “Let the Kids Play” and support our commitment to provide an enjoyable football experience.

 

Over recent years the MWFA and the 17 clubs, your club, have been operating a Team Discipline Point system, which is designed to offer warnings for teams and clubs and punishment for teams (and parents/spectators) that misbehave.

 

Offences against match officials are the most serious offences – and punished as such.

 

Last year a number of teams (junior and senior teams) were withdrawn from the competition due to poor behaviour, which also included the behaviour of parents and spectators on the sidelines.

 

In May, the MWFA will also promote the NSW Government Office of Sport’s “Shoosh for Kids” campaign.

 

Below is the process for teams receiving points, warnings, losing competition points and in extreme circumstances – withdrawal from the competition and an explanation of what offences carry Team Discipline Points.

 

MWFA Team Disciplinary Points (process)

 

  1. a) For each team in the MWFA competitions, disciplinary points will be applied for offences by players, team officials and spectators and accumulated over the season.

 

  1. b) Nominated Offences carry a number of demerit points which are accumulated to the team. The MWFA will provide a list of all offences and penalties each season.

 

  1. c) As the team accumulates points over the season sanctions are applied against the team according to the number of disciplinary points accumulated.
  • Stage 1 – First Warning

When a team accumulates a given number of disciplinary points the team is given a warning including what may constitute further action.

 

  • Stage 2 – Loss of Match Points

When a team accumulates a further number of disciplinary points the team loses three competition points and, at the discretion of the MWFA , may also be required to forfeit their next Fixture.

 

  • Stage 3 – Team Withdrawal

When a team accumulates the maximum allowed number of disciplinary points the team is withdrawn from the competition for the rest of the season. Team expulsion will only occur after the team and its Club have appeared before the  MWFA Board and have failed to show reasonable cause why they should not be withdrawn. In the case the team is withdrawn all players from the team will not be permitted to play for another team for the rest of the season.

 

  1. d) The table below shows accumulated disciplinary point limits for reaching these three stages.

 

Accumulated Team PointsFirst WarningLoss of Three Match PointsTeam Withdrawal
All Open Competitions run as squads182636
O35/45 teams91318
U/15-AL single teams91318
U10-U1591318
U6-U95811

 

MWFA TEAM DISCIPLINE POINTS SUMMARY

Offence Code Detailed Breakdown

offences by participants

Team Disciplinary Points
R1 Serious Foul PlayGeneral Range2
Violent Tackle from behind that endangers the safety of an opponent2
Rugby Tackle2
Violent Charging2
Over the Ball Tackle2
 General Range2-5
R2 Violent ConductHead Butting5
Punching / Fighting2-5
Kicking2
Elbowing to the head2
Elbowing to the body2
R3 SpittingSpitting at an opponent or any other person5
R4 Deny Goal Scoring OpportunityHandball1
R5 Deny Goal Scoring OpportunityHolding, tripping or impeding1
R6 Using Offensive or Insulting or Abusive Language and/or GesturesUsing offensive, intimidating, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures2
Making offensive, intimidating, insulting or abusive gestures2
Indecent Actions2
R7 Second CautionSecond Caution in the same match.1
Offence Code  

Detailed Breakdown

Offences by Participants against Match Officials

 

TD Points
R2 Violent ConductThreatening or intimidating a Match Official by word or action10
Tripping a Match Official10
Pushing with an open hand,

shoulder or hip

10
 

Striking with the ball or other object

10
 

Punching, Kicking or elbowing

10
R3 SpittingSpitting10
R6

 

Uses offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against or about Match Officials5
Non offence code incidentsDetailed Breakdown Other offences by ParticipantsTD Points
(k) Inciting the crowd10
(l) Attacking or fighting with spectators10
(m) Bringing the Game into disrepute10
(n)  Deliberately misleading the Disciplinary Committee or any other tribunal10
(o)  Spitting at or onto spectators10
(p)  Failure to provide a safe environment for Participants or to maintain public order at a Match.10
(q)  Other offences by players or Team Officials as specified in Match Official Report10
 Excessive Cautions 5/Match/Team1
 Breach of the Code of Conduct by an Official5
 Breach of Code of Conduct by Team Spectators2-10

 

Seaforth beat Brookvale with 3 goal first half spurt

· · Leave a Comment

A first half burst of goal action has given Seaforth a 3-nil win over Brookvale at Grahams Reserve on Sunday. Goals to Abbey Cosh, Julia Murphy and Gemma Woolley saw the game effectively killed off before half time. Seaforth coach Chris Wood praised his team’s energy and endeavor in the first period.

“We played well and scored three goals in a ten minute spell,” Wood said. “All three goals were well taken. One was from a great little cut inside, finished with a right foot. The second was from a corner. The third from a free kick played over the top, Gemma got in behind, controlled it well and rammed it past the keeper.

“The game went flat in the second half because it was killed off in the first. But that’s alright, it happens. It took three good goals to win the game.”

Wood said that similarly to the team’s Challenge Cup games, they limited Brookvale’s chances. “They never had a clear-cut chance,” Wood said. “We scrambled well and limited their chances. We were defensively very solid. If you can stop a team having chances you increase the likelihood of winning. If you don’t concede goals you don’t lose. That’s always been key for us.

“We can improve on retaining possession, even when a game is gone, and not get sloppy. When you’re leading you can tend to over-play a bit. We need to play a full 90 minutes not a solid 45. I expect that we will against Manly Allambie on Wednesday night. If we don’t we’ll get punished.”

Seaforth and Manly Allambie will play each other in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup at Seaforth 1 on Wednesday night, while Brookvale will play Belrose in the other match. Winners of both games will contest the final at Cromer Park on a date to be advised.

By Matt Cleary

Curl Curl get over Strikers at the death

· · Leave a Comment

Curl Curl scored goals in the 89th minute and deep into injury time to record a fine 3-2 win over CC Strikers at Abbott Road on Saturday.

“To get over a good side like CC Strikers who’ve been premiership contenders and had the same side for a while is very satisfying,” Curl Curl coach Anthony Seminara said. “I’ve been telling our boys for a while that we’re a brand new team and it’ll take us a while to gel. But we’ll have a cracking team once we do. Once you start to play with blokes who are your mates, and develop friendships, that’s when you’re formidable.

“And to score two goals in the last five minutes shows character. Plenty of teams, down 2-1 against a good team like CC Strikers would’ve given up. But our boys really wanted to win. And our coaching staff could not be prouder of them.”

CC Strikers opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Harrison Brown equalised in the 35th minute. Strikers went ahead again before Matt Cooper brought scores level with a minute left in regular time.

Then Michael Kemper, who was among Curl Curl’s best, caught the Strikers goal-keeper off his line with a long range shot from outside the box. And there was much rejoicing.

“We haven’t had a lot of luck so far – we’ve missed penalties and hit the woodwork maybe six times,” Seminara said. “So to score two goals in the last five minutes, I couldn’t have scripted it better, While it gave us coaches heart attacks, they’re the sort of wins that fast forward cohesion, morale and team bond.

“There’s a very healthy respect between the two squads and it was a great afternoon of footy against a high standard of opposition. I really think it’s a big result for our season.”

By Matt Cleary

Three local MWFA teams joined by Manly United in FFA Cup

· · Leave a Comment

Three local MWFA clubs have progressed to round 4 of the FFA Cup where they will be joined by Manly United and all NPL teams in the next round of matches, which will be played this week.

 

Manly Vale will take on Illawarra Premier League club Bulli FC at David Thomas Reserve on Wednesday night while Forest Killarney tackles fellow South Coast Club Unanderra Hearts at Melwood Oval on Tuesday night.

 

Both games kick off at 7.30pm

 

Brookvale faces a trip to Sydney’s west when they will take on Prospect FC at William Lawson Reserve with the game kicking off at 7.30pm on Wednesday night.

 

Manly United faces a first up clash with local St George Association Premier League team Arncliffe Aurora FC to open its account on Tuesday night at Arncliffe Oval. That game kicks off at 7pm.

 

Brookvale, Manly Vale and Forest Killarney have won through to the 4th round over recent weeks with some strong performances.

 

Brookvale have defeated Northern Suburbs heavyweights West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook 3-1 before disposing of another South Coast club Coniston Football Club 4-1.

 

Manly Vale have sneaked through by defeating the Kiama Quarries in a penalty shoot out before defeating Roselands FC 2-1 in the last round.

 

Forest Killarney had a first round bye before defeating Peakhurst FC 4-2 after extra time.

 

The other MWFA Club entered into the FFA Cup, Belrose Terrey Hills, was bundled out 6-1 by South Coast outfit Tarrawanna Blueys FC.