Saturday 9th April
Rockwell Automation Park
Under 13’s
After a foggy drive from the mid-north coast we arrived at a very nice pitch, with some very pleasant weather for football, and some very well dressed competition present.
Unfortunately that was where the pleasantries ended, as from the very outset the boys seemed to lack their usual poise, precision and passion, against a very physical Weston team. This resulted in an error ridden first half devoid of any real highlights with the boys going to the sheds at 0-0.
The second half started a little brighter with a few passes being strung together. Once such move resulted in a 45th minute goal to our goal-scoring machine Luke Townsend. An excellent penalty save by goal-keeper Isaac Parkinson, at 56 minutes kept FMNC in front. However, moments later Weston drew level at 59 minutes with a brilliant solo effort from their right wing.
The final minutes of the game offered opportunities for either side to take the 3 points but no chances were converted.
Final result was Weston Workers 1 – FMNC 1.
– Match Report by Brenton Moore
Under 14s
Weston made the semis last year in the 13s so this year’s 14s were expecting a hard fought game, and had been prepared well by coach Darrell Pascoe.
They started the match positively, progressing the ball up the field into the Bears half consistently. Some great runs up both flanks from Jackson Watts and Aubrey de Silva saw FMNC on the attack for most of the half. Despite many attempts on goal including a spectacular header, FMNC only managed to put the ball into the back of the net once, going to the half time break 1-0 up.
Weston came out a more determined side in the second half marking tighter and placing pressure on our midfield to keep the ball. Determination in the midfield resulted in a second goal to FMNC. Strong defence from the back line made it hard for Weston to trouble the FMNC goalkeeper Keegan Hughes.
The full time whistle saw FMNC take out the match with a 2-0 victory.
– Match Report by Sonia Hughes
Under 15s
Having never won a game at Rockwell Automation Park, the u15’s were keen to put on a good display.
The boys started well, moving the ball around which saw them score an early goal through Chai Davis. This should have set them up for a sound game, but it wasn’t to be. Weston hit back before half time with a long ball that found our defence lacking. This set the scene for the rest of the game, with the Weston coaches instructions to “hit it long”.
The second half was more of the same, slow motion football. Unfortunately our boys fell into the trap of playing the same way, instead of our normal passing game. We managed to press their defence and hit the keeper a few times, but rarely troubled him. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
And we still haven’t won at Weston!
– Match Report by Brett Clacher