Apr 21, 2016
Junior development – U11 Young players excelling at Soccer
The U11A side have some young soccer stars Luke Worrell, Kyle Ormiston and Max Douglas-Robertson. All have a great passion for soccer, simply want to be better players and joined Brazilian Soccer Schools for development in 2016. After some hard work since late January, adopting to the rigours of intense training twice a week at BSS, additional hours of ‘soccer homework’, learning new tricks n skills, the lads were rewarded and selected to attend a soccer camp for 3 days at Sydney Academy of Sport. The camp offered around 14 hours of structured training sessions, focused development of their skills, teaching tactical awareness, strategy, positional play and outside of training just ‘chilling’ with like-minded soccer juniors.
The last day saw them play together as a team for the first time against Forest Killarney DIV1. Although Killarney won the game 1-0 after a long range punt and scramble in the box, scoring in the last 5 minutes, BSS played the more attractive football and had a number of chances saved by Forest defence and keeper. The weekend simply caught up with all and they were exhausted from the past days training. It was strange to not see them in BTH Yellow and Blue, not been able to give advice or coaching, however the efforts, determination and skills on display was nothing short of amazing. Without been biased I would say BTH boys showed great leadership and received generous compliments after the game.
Proud of you boys, onwards and upwards in 2016.
Craig and Mark
Apr 17, 2016
Ladies AL-1
Despite the gloomy weather the WAL-1’s and their numerous supporters made their way to Wyatt to witness the fierce battle between Pittwater and the Belrose babes.
The first half proved difficult as transitioning from defence to attack seemed a little troublesome for our girls. However, Pittwater’s relentless attempts at goal were all shut down by our fantastic defensive line who worked tirelessly to keep the score settled to nil all at half time.
With a quick pep talk from Mullos, feeling refreshed our girls gave Pittwater a run for their money with our attacking line now in full swing, while Pittwater’s energy levels slowly deteriorated. There were a few close shots taken from the likes of Shay Loupos and the infamous Bec Cogan, until an unfortunate direct free kick was called in Pittwater’s favour followed by a manic scramble in the box before getting knocked in.
Not for a second were our girls defeated, with Laura Aspinall continuing to make some fantastic runs down the side line, and Nada Dayoub going as far as having a scrap with the goalie in an attempt for goal, but alas, we couldn’t manage to sink a single ball.
It was a great fight and an unfortunate loss - stay tuned for our revenge.
2-0 to Pittwater
Apr 17, 2016
Ladies O35/1 - Divas
Through heavy rain, a bit of sun and even lightning, nothing could stop the cracker performance of the Divas on Sunday. A battle to the very end, this hard fought match was well worth the 3-2 win. Everyone played exceptionally. Well done!!
Apr 16, 2016
AL 3 Reserves
After an agonising penalty-loss to the old rivals Wakehurst the week prior, the AL3R Raiders knew that nothing short of a win against Forest Killarney would do. The day did not start as planned – multiple lads had to withdraw late due to injury and outside commitment, and a reshuffled line-up was created.
The match started in a blur, with Forest Kilarney’s very young squad wanting to make themselves known on the pitch – tackles were flying left right and center. No team could establish a foothold in the early, breathless minutes. However, it was in these panicked opening moments that our very own William “Brownie” Brown captilised on the chaos that ensued from our opening corner, rising from a standing position to bludgeon the ball over the line. 1-0 to the Raiders.
The remaining 85 minutes panned out just as the game had started. Forest were content with playing with aggression over finesse, and provided some heart-in-mouth opportunities. However, the control expressed by the Raiders kept Forest to long-balls and hopeful shots from 30 yards.
By the 75th minute, Forest’s desire to get a result from the game began evidently taking a toll on our lads. Penned back in our own half, the tone shifted from one of control to desperation, the Raiders working tirelessly to hang onto the result. After what seemed an eternity, the final whistle blew – BTH Raiders 1, Forest Killarney 0. There were few celebrating immediately after the match – the win had taken every ounce of energy to secure. It was not a vintage Raiders display, but it was an enormous display of heart and pride to wrap up the win. The gents, battered and bruised, took the win, and enjoyed a cold one while our AL3 1st grade put on a master class in a final minute 4-3 win.
Apr 16, 2016
AL2 Reserve Grade
Round 3 had us up against St. Augustine's being one of the big guns in the competition. Our opponents were a big threat last year so this was going to be a good test to really check in and see where we are at in terms of this competition. Last week we played off the back of long balls which left us thinking that playing more ball to feet would probably be a better way to get in front of goal with more people in support, so at training we focused on passing drills and moving off the ball. The first half we were a bit patchy but there were some periods where we played with some good flow, but, we never really troubled their defence. Our defence though was solid and our back four were reliable as ever. Second half was much better and we started to move the ball around as planned. Mitch Susko was welcomed to the club earlier in the week and his impact was felt in the middle of the park and it was great to bounce the ball around with him before distributing wide. An accidental hand ball in the box while blocking a shot went St. Augustine way in and the penalty was well taken and they went up 1-0.
We stuck with the game plan and once again our speed out wide via Felix Watson put a great ball in and Maxi Christensen who is lethal in the air climbed above the pack and smacked it with his forehead straight into the bar which rebounded straight onto Ned Bacic's foot and he guided it into the back of the net. Equaliser and we're back in it.
Fortunately good things come in two's and before we knew it Ned Bacic got in a good position to put the ball in with some support in the box and Felix Watson got his left boot to the ball and it floated into the left side of the net.
A great performance from a team full of young Lads who are growing in stature week by week.
2-1 win and without yet peaking in performance we are building into a solid team. Well done lads and looking forward to the next game to build again against last year’s winners Mosman.
Players Player: Scott McElroy
Coaches Player: Ben Sheard
Apr 16, 2016
AL2 First Grade
The second home game of the season saw the firsts take on St Augustines. We went into the game on the back of a good few results hoping for another win in front of a strong crowd at the oval. We started off strong but gave the visitors a bit too much space in the middle and they started to dictate the game a little, although they still could not break down a solid back 4, mainly Bas Shearman and Paul Cornforth who covered each other well through superb talking throughout. They had a chance when the ball was played to the back stick and lashed across the face of the goal, their striker hit it first time only for Bas to make a brilliant goal line clearance.
This seemed to be the wakeup call we needed and after a shaky 15 minutes we came into our own and started to break them down and exploit their weaknesses through some nice 1-2 balls through the midfield and opening up to give Adam Kenneally and Esteban Gonzalez space on the wings to find some decent crosses. We found their keeper in top form though, forcing him to make a string of top drawer saves from a Sam Savage header tipping it over the bar, and later Jason Sorbara latching onto a well played Hayden Jewell ball pushing the shot across his body to his left out for a corner. The chances were plentiful in the first half as even Bas Shearman nearly got a header only for the keeper to make another fine save. Adam had his crossing boots on and we should have found the net at the back stick as the keeper wouldn’t have had a chance but there was nobody making the run to convert.
The second half was much of the same, Raiders piling on the pressure and our defence, although making a few well timed interceptions, not really forcing our keeper to make any major saves. We could have snatched the game a few times but failed to make enough of an impact to warrant it and it showed in our finishing. Nealz had a good chance towards the end to snatch a late winner but again finding the keeper in top form. Very disappointing result as we could have taken all three points but as always we will learn from it and work hard in training to make sure we come away next week with a solid 3 points... We haven’t learnt the song for nothing!
No Man of the match this week as nobody stood out enough to deserve it... It's all about the work rate for next week. UP THE RAIDERS!!!