MWFA

Saints on the Rise

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St Augustine’s sit third on the MWFA Premier League ladder with two wins from their first three games. They’ve conceded just one goal, a far cry from the side that conceded nearly 20 in their first five games last season. It’s more amazing when you consider what they’ve been through – and are still going through.

“It’s been a very disruptive pre-season,” Saints coach Sam Panetta said. “There’s not many competitions where you play your first three games without being able to train on your home track. We’ve also had a few injuries.

“But I’m very happy with the group. They’ve come together well and everyone’s going in the same direction, everyone’s bought in. Whatever we’ve thrown at them they’ve dealt with well. And they’re enjoying their football at game time. It helps when you like the guys you’re playing with.”

Yet challenges abound. Asked who fans can expect to shine in this Saturday’s game against Narrabeen FC at Narrabeen Sports High, Panetta laughed: “I can’t tell you. I don’t know who we’ve got. Our skipper’s in Queensland. The goal keeper’s having a baby. There’s injuries. It’s always fun, mate, club footy! Whoever we put out there we’ll be up against it this week. Narrabeen’s always a tough match.”

Panetta’s plan to counter Narrabeen is, effectively, don’t give them the ball. “We played them last year and failed to keep the ball off them. There was a lot of turnover and they punished us. If we can defend as a unit we can limit their chances.”

Panetta talks like his team are underdogs. Yet last start against BTH Raiders they won 8-0. “It was one of those games,” Panetta said. “Usually you’ll play well and think maybe if everything had gone in we’d have won by more. This was a game everything went in. We were so clinical.

“It was a culmination of a lot of hard work. We’re slowly coming together, we’re not there yet but hopefully we’ll be playing our best football later in the year. You don’t want to be peaking in April.”

Yet Saints’ defence is clearly a point of difference to last year. “One thing we pride ourselves on is defence,” Panetta said. “The boys can score goals, that’s never been an issue for Saints. But we’re being aggressive defensively and hopefully it’ll continue and we’ll end up near the top.”

By Matt Cleary

Premier League Games – 10th April 2021 – 3:00pm

Pittwater RSL FC vs BTH Raiders at Kitchener Park Field 1

Narrabeen FC vs St Augustine’s at Narrabeen High Field 1

Seaforth FC vs Mosman Football Club at Seaforth Oval Field 1

Manly Vale FC vs Wakehurst FC at David Thomas Field 2

Brookvale FC vs Harbord FC at Grahams Reserve Field 1

Curl Curl FC vs CC Strikers at Abbott Road Field 5

Seaforth adds goals and fitness to defence and looms as comp favourite

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Last season was a good one for Seaforth FC with their Women’s Premier League team running third and their reserve grade winning the league. The WPL team had the best defence (with Manly-Allambie), a continuation of the club’s strength over the years. But now, in potentially ominous signs for competitors, Seaforth’s scoring goals. Lots of goals.

In two Challenge Cup games they beat Pittwater RSL FC 6-1 and followed it up with an 8-0 rout of last year’s league champions Mosman. For Seaforth coach Chris Wood it doesn’t mean his team is favourite for this year’s title. But it doesn’t hurt, either.

“You don’t know this time of year how teams are going to fare, who they’ve gained, who they’ve lost,” Wood said. “It’s an unknown until you’ve faced them. Brookvale [who Seaforth face at Graham’s Reserve on Sunday], they’ve just beaten Wakehurst. We don’t know if they’re stronger or Wakehurst has lost a couple.”

Wood is right. But he’s also playing coy. Because when you beat the champions 8-0 you’ve shown you’re a threat. When asked about that result in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, Wood said it just all clicked on the day. “We were 1-0 at halftime and then our fitness kicked in. Once we got to 3 or 4-0 they [Mosman] completely tired. We broke in behind them with some of our quick girls. It doesn’t mean Mosman were that poor. It just happens sometimes; they began chasing and we beat them on the break.”

Wood said the club has signed several good players and others have come back from injury. “The whole squad, firsts and reserves, is progressing and getting better each year. Our goal, and it would be the same for most teams, is to win everything we’re faced with.

“One thing we have done well is learn and get better. From round one to round two we adjusted against each team. We looked at their strengths and weaknesses and how to exploit them. We’d lose to a team in round one and beat them second time around. We adjusted to the information received and prepared. It wasn’t just a training session, it was focused on the team we were up against.”

The players bought in, realised they couldn’t win the same way each week. There was also freshness from changing up, from different formations.

Another string to Seaforth’s bow is fitness, according to Wood, who said his team has going hard since January. “They’re set challenges by coaching staff. They’re doing extras. The Women’s Premier League is extremely competitive. Every team is capable of beating every other one. There were games last year the girls came off shattered. You have to work very hard for a result.”

By Matt Cleary

 

Women’s Premier League – 11th April – 3:00pm

Wakehurst FC vs BTH Raiders at Lionel Watts Field 4

Brookvale FC vs Seaforth FC at Grahams Reserve

Pittwater RSL FC vs Manly Allambie FC at Kitchener Field 1

Manly Vale FC vs Mosman FC at David Thomas Reserve Field 2

Beacon Hill – BYE

Female Only Coaching Courses Available

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MWFA is pleased to announce that we will be hosting TWO female only coaching courses at Cromer Park this season.

As an association, we are keen to celebrate and recognise the contribution females make to our sport, as well as develop more female coaches and role models for female players, so we believe offering a learning environment that is more welcoming for prospective female coaches is important.

We would like to encourage female parents, older siblings, senior players and even youth players from U14s and above to consider attending these courses if they might be interested in being involved in coaching. Any female coaches who have already done these courses but would still like to join in to support the event are more than welcome as well.

The courses will be presented by female Coach Developers, and all participants are also encouraged to bring a female friend or family member along to make it a more comfortable atmosphere.

Both courses are completely FREE, and there is no expectation that you will make a commitment to being a coach – just come along to learn about football and coaching in a fun, practical, and supportive environment.

 

MiniRoos Certificate

This course is designed to up-skill coaches of age groups U6 to U11, or just as a good introduction for coaches of any age group.

Monday April 12 @ Cromer Park

7:00pm to 9:30pm

Register here: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp?ID=23084

 

Skill Training Certificate

This course is designed to up-skill coaches of age groups U8 to U13, and those keen for more in depth coaching practice and learning.

Monday May 10 and Monday May 17 @ Cromer Park

6pm to 9:30pm (both nights)

Register here: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp?ID=23071

 

CC Strikers roll over Manly Vale with emphatic 4-1 win

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The top-placed team played the last-placed one, and there would be no fairy tale for the latter, with CC Strikers recording a comfortable 4-1 win over Manly Vale on Sunday at Cromer Park 2.

 

Yet Vale coach Michael Yarnold, his squad decimated by injury, took plenty of positives from the result.

 

“We’ve now got several guys who aren’t regular first graders who’ve made statements to be included in that first XI,” Yarnold said. “[Despite the loss] I was actually pretty happy given our walking wounded. There were long patches of play that we controlled the match, kept possession and out-played them.

 

“But we weren’t clinical up front and the Strikers were. The chances they created they finished. They scored three quick goals. Their front-three was very good, particularly Luke Curnow.”

 

Yet goal of the match came from Brazilian import Gustavo Anacleto who left CC Strikers keeper Matt Smith stranded with a volley out of nothing. Elsewhere Anacleto’s countryman Jadson impressed on his flank, drawing several fouls as defenders struggled to contain him.

 

CC Strikers coach Ryan Butcher declared himself “really happy with the performance for the most part”.

 

“We were much sharper in the final third. We created a heap of chances and probably could’ve had a couple more goals. We had the right level of movement and kept busy all game.”

 

The Strikers roared out of the blocks to be 3-nil up after 35 minutes with goals to Rhys Vorillas (15th minute) and Curnow (20th and 35th).

 

If Butcher could be critical of a 4-1 win, he’d say that his team “relaxed a little bit”, with Anacleto’s volley late in the first half making the score 3-1.

 

Yet the Strikers took control again and came up with a big play in the 80th minute when multiple players were involved in a build-up before Curnow notched his hat-trick with a surgical strike into the top corner of the net.

 

Best for CC Strikers were Curnow who combined well with up-front partner Michael Morrison, while midfielders Brody Strachan and Ryan Berry were busy all game, securing clean ball and dictating the tempo of the match.

 

Butcher said his squad had set themselves the goal to win all three games leading up to Easter, which they’ve achieved, with maximum points in both grades.

 

On Vale Butcher said: “At 3-nil down they dug in and took it to us. They got the goal and had a good passage heading into the second half. They made us work hard to stay in control and will cause problems for teams going forward, I’ve got no doubt.”

 

By Matt Cleary.

Rise of the machine: CC Strikers hope to further damage busted Manly Vale

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Collaroy-Cromer Strikers have kept clean sheets in victories over St Augustine’s and Narrabeen in the opening two rounds of Premier League competition, and head into Sunday’s clash with Manly Vale (0-and-2) high on confidence.

Goal-keeper Matt Smith is back from injury and firing. The back four of Zack Trisic, Nick Parker, Kory Leung and Sydney FC NPL coach Jim van Weeran have been impregnable. And at the top end Luke Curnow and Michael Morrison have formed a key combination.

And yet, according to CC Strikers coach Ryan Butcher, his team is yet to reach their best.

“We’ve been grinding out matches really well,” Butcher said.

“The organisation and shape have been the most noticeable positives.

“But everyone has another gear to go – at least.”

Butcher declared that he is particularly pleased they’ve kept two quality teams goal-less.

He said his team’s defence and organisation have been key to their winning ways.

“We’ve been up against two sides that play some footy. So two clean sheets is a pleasing way to start the year,” Butcher said.

“We’ve also created chances, don’t get me wrong,” Butcher said of his team’s brace of 1-0 wins.

“But we’re looking to lift the decision-making and quality of the final pass.

“When that clicks I think we will cause some damage.”

Manly Vale, for their part, crippled by injury, have a weapon of their own in Vincente, who’s been scoring goals for fun in FFA Cup – including a screamer in the team’s 2-1 win over Roselands FC on Thursday night.

Vale coach Michael Yarnold said that on his day Vincente is the best player in the competition.

“His goal last night from a free kick was as good as you’ll see – a bullet into the top right hand corner.

“Just a beauty.

“So he’ll be one to watch on Sunday.”

Yarnold said that his club’s challenge was to field a fit squad – and make lemonade from lemons.

“We’ve got 16 injuries in a squad of 38.

“So we’ve tinkered with a few things and implemented some changes, and won a few games in FFA Cup as a result.

“We’ve made a good result from a tough situation.”

By Matt Cleary

Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory W-League at Cromer Park

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It’s a BIG BLUE at Cromer Park this Wednesday night as Sydney FC fight arch rivals Melbourne Victory in the last regular season match of the Westfield W-League season.

 

Kick Off is at 7.30pm, with gates from 6.30pm. Entry is FREE for all spectators, simply scan in at the gate.

 

Be there to send off the girls in sky blue to the Semi Finals in style!

 

Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory (W-League)

Wednesday 31 March, 7.30pm KO

Cromer Park

FREE Entry

MiniRoos Game Leader Workshops Now Available

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MWFA is pleased to again offer a number of FREE Game Leader (unofficial referee) workshops for parents or even older siblings of MiniRoos who are willing to help out in this role on match day, or who might be willing to if armed with a bit of knowledge and guidance on what being a Game Leader involves. These courses run for approximately 60 minutes and will cover the rules, practical scenarios and provide Q&A opportunities.

A variety of dates and locations are available across the Northern Beaches leading up to and just after the beginning of the season. Please see details below.

DATETIMELOCATION
Thursday April 8
6pmAvalon
Monday April 126pmCromer Park
Tuesday April 136:30pmSeaforth
Thursday April 157pmCromer Park
Wednesday April 216:30pmCromer Park
Tuesday May 186:30pmManly Vale
Wednesday May 196pmPittwater

Note that these courses are free of charge, however, we do ask that attendees register and be punctual to avoid delaying the start of the course, or to avoid missing out on key information at the beginning.

Register Here: https://manlyunited.wufoo.com/forms/mwfa-2021-game-leader-workshop-registration/

The course is practical as well, so attendees are encouraged to bring suitable clothing and footwear to play football in and for being outside.

For pre-course reading, or if any parents are unable to attend any of these courses but would like a basic understanding of the MiniRoos Playing Rules and Formats, CLICK HERE for the official guidelines.

 

Cromer Park to host Sydney FC season deciding match

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The MWFA and Manly United will host another W-League match this Wednesday night when Sydney FC takes on Melbourne Victory at Cromer Park.

 

The match kicks off at 7.30pm and ENTRY IS FREE for all spectators.

 

The “Big Blue” has been rescheduled for Wednesday night after it was postponed due to the big wet last weekend and is Sydney FC’s final W-League game before the start of the semi final series.

 

The Sky Blues, with Manly United stars Remy Siemsen and Ally Green playing a crucial part, currently sit on top of the ladder with two matches remaining.

 

They can wrap up the Premier’s Plate on Friday night when they take on 4th placed Canberra but anything less than a win on Friday will see the season decided at Cromer Park on Wednesday night.

 

Regardless there is every chance the Premier’s Plate will be presented to Sydney FC at Cromer Park on Wednesday night.

 

Sydney FC has played two matches at Cromer Park throughout the 2020/21 season with victories against Adelaide United (2-1) and Newcastle Jets (2-0) making Cromer park a happy hunting ground for the Sky Blues.

 

MATCH DETAILS

Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory

Wednesday March 31

Cromer Park

7.30pm kick off

Women’s Challenge Cup Preview

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They call her “Sullo” because she doesn’t go much on  “Jessie Sullivan” as a handle. But that’s her name and goal-keeping is her game, and at Narrabeen Sports last Sunday she proved herself more than adept at it.

 

Indeed she proved herself a match-winner.

 

With her Premier League team, Manly Allambie United, leading 2-1 with ten minutes to play in the round one Challenge Cup fixture against Manly Vale, Vale were awarded a penalty.

 

Striker Georgia Goulding, Vale’s 2020 PL Player of The Year, stepped up and set the strike free. Sullivan threw herself in the ball’s path, only to see it rebound and fall at Goulding’s feet.  Sullivan then saved the follow-up shot, too.

 

A double-save at the death – a goalkeeper can hang a hat on that in any body of work.

 

“It was a huge play,” Manly Allambie coach Kyle Cannon said. “We had several contributors across the field and I was happy with the win given our lack of preparation but Sullo’s double-save was the standout. With ten minutes on the clock she probably won the game for us.”

 

Cannon said his players were understandably rusty given their lack of training much less trials due to ground closures brought about by recent rain.

 

“We gave away a bit of possession and were rusty on touches,” he said. “We need to work on controlling the ball and limiting the opposition’s chances of getting on top but given all the rain and grounds being closed, it was just good to get out and have a run!.”

 

This Sunday at Narrabeen Sports High School, Cannon’s team take on AL1 side Avalon and he admits he isn’t across his opponent’s recent form.

 

“Our AL1 side played them two years ago and they were quite strong.” He said. “I know they have a few former Premier League players and we’ll still have to be on our game to get the win.”

 

Sunday’s match kicks off at 11am at Narrabeen Sports High School, the middle fixture of a quarter final triple-header with Seaforth vs Mosman at 9am and Brookvale vs Wakehurst at 1pm, while BTH are already through to the semi finals after defeating Beacon Hill 1-0 last weekend.

By Matt Cleary