APJSC Under 12.3 Green: Semi-Final vs Coniston at Cawley Park, Russell Vale

The only real way a season can end on a happy note is if you happen to win the grand final. That was not to be for the Albion Park Under 12.3 Green team, who fought valiantly against the third-placed Coniston team in their semi-final on Saturday only to go down 1-0.

 
A long-winded report could not possibly convey how well the kids played, and how with just a touch of luck they could easily have been playing into next week. But suffice to say they had their chances but could not convert them, while Coniston were repelled wonderfully by the Park defensive unit for the entire game – a defensive unit that only made one mistake in the whole game, and it was converted. It too had a stroke of fortune, as the Coniston player had his kick skew off the outside of his boot. If he has struck it clean it would have gone straight to the keeper, but the skew put it wide of his saving attempt and found the outer right corner of the net.
Park had chances but were unable to find the finishing accuracy they required. Great pressure in the first half drew the ball loose in the Coniston six yard box, where Josh Peters’ left foot strike went wide. They held on well to half time keeping the score at 0-0 despite Coniston having the advantage of the heavy breeze, a breeze that somehow had dissipated by the time the second half started. In the second half there were several wonderful attacking plays that just couldn’t be finished off. Josh made three plays with superb passing giving his fellow forwards a chance, with himself, Max Sciberras and Kyan Van Helden all having excellent opportunities in front of goal - but all three went wide. Matt Shepherd also had a good long range attempt that was worth the chance but also was waved away. With time running out the most spectacular attempt of the day came from Harry Whiteford, who from Josh’s perfect corner kick into the middle of the six yard box flew high to connect with the perfect header which sailed perfect and true... into the bottom part of the crossbar and away. It was the moment that summed up the match in many ways, as it proved that it just wasn’t going to be the Albion Park kids day.

 
The most pleasing aspect was that the kids rose to the occasion and played their best team game in the semi-final. They can hold their heads high, not only from Saturday’s performance but also for the whole season. Each and every one of them has improved their own game since we started back in April.
Ethan Meehan as keeper has been a star, showing no fear and making countless amazing saves throughout the season. On a number of occasions, he fought through being harassed without referee protection, and he did so without complaint. He’s a tough kid in a position that rarely gets the rewards it deserves. He had a brilliant season. The backline had a tough job all season against usually much bigger kids, and they fought hard to keep all scoring against them to a minimum. Nic Wynen played with the courage of a boy twice his size, and consistently tackled opponents and chased the ball across field in an effort to dispossess them, and all with a smile on his face. Luke Beesley was for me one of the most improved players this year. He learned his role quickly, and was soon dominating his side of the field not only with precision passing down the line or clearing kicks, but with his throw-ins as well. His game on left wing a couple of weeks ago was also really impressive. Harry Whiteford moved between the lines, and had a happy knack of appearing on the scene in time to fall upon a dangerous ball, or make a perfect slide tackle to stop an attacking move. He too showed no fear in these confrontations and was willing to take a bump if it helped his team. Jack-Ryan Eberwein was the colossus at the back this season, not just because of his big boot clearing kicks, but his dash in getting to dangerous balls and getting them out of the danger zone. He settled down the defensive line with his presence and was magnificent. It is probably not a coincidence that the three goals that were scored against the team in the final three games – one by Albion Park Green, one by Figtree and the one in the semi – were all scored when Jack was off the field.
Cohen Dick played almost every position this season, and played them all with excellence. When he was at the back he cleared well, in the midfield he ran hard up and back, and when up front he was a terrific attacking tool. He worked himself to a standstill each week which was exactly what his team needed. Our blonde locked midfielder was a livewire, constantly finding himself as the conduit between the backs and forwards. That he came back so quickly after a tough injury mid-season was proof of his toughness and desire to be there for his teammates. Heath Gills was the spark each and every week, speeding across and up the field like The Flash, always chasing the loose ball or the attacker in order to pressure him into mistakes. His bubbly play lifted the team every time they needed a boost, and he was a star every week. Matt Shepherd was another of the most improved kids this season. He too moved between back and midfield, but his work especially in midfield was at times exceptional, with his dispossession of his opponents and passing to teammates excellent, and another who did it all with a smile on his face.

 
The forward line worked well together at times, but the goals dried up in the second half of the season which perhaps took the focus off the work they had done. Mick Young on the left and Max Sciberras on the right had their roles and looked to play their part every week. Mick often found himself double and triple teamed, but would still fight hard to extricate himself. HIs combination with Luke and Heath was excellent during the season. Max found more space as the season progressed and his long runs and passing in combination with Josh provided lots of good attacking opportunities. On more occasions than not he beat his opponent each week, which for a right wing is half the battle. Kyan Van Helden again had his season interrupted by injury, and was also well marked on most weeks when he was identified as the danger. Despite this he had another great season, often tying up his opponents to allow more space for his fellow forwards. Goals were not as easy to come by for him this season, but there’s no doubt going forward he is still going to be a key attacking forward for Albion Park team.

 
All of the parents can be justifiably proud of the way their kids have played this season. The way they came together and blended into a team was fantastic. For all of this they can thank the tireless efforts and knowledgeable coaching of Mick Meehan, who has done a wonderful job bringing together thirteen kids who had not played together before and moulded them into a terrific unit. Being a coach means you get all of the hard stuff and little of the reason for the success, but the improvement of all of these kids can be traced to Mick’s knowledge and hard work.

 
And a final note on Josh Peters, who had a season out of the box. I am biased in regards to his efforts and his ability and I know I might sound pretentious, but I haven’t seen anyone in his division who is his equal when it comes to controlling the ball and then putting his teammates into a gap or sending them downfield into the clear. His finishing was not perfect, but he did score some terrific goals this season, and his corner taking is also excellent. I’m proud of the way he has improved again this season, and I am looking forward to see how he progresses next season.

 
Soccer ends, and cricket awaits.