On Saturday the Under 6’s local derby between Sportspower Green and Gold teams took place at Top Lawson Oval. It was mate verses mate which was appropriate seeing the smell of ‘State of Origin’ was still the air. There was a little shortage of players, so after a reshuffle of the teams, play got well under way.

You could tell that the kids knew they had the next weekend off for the Henry Lawson Festival because each and every player gave everything they had. Following on from this, the goals and great play flowed. Monty Ryan, Cooper Biddle, Marley Loader, Mitch Stephens and Amber Taylor were goal scorers whilst Matilda Muldoon and Roman Logan both played with great spirit.

In the end all players played their hearts out and left the field as winners. This weekend is a bye round due to the long weekend and the Henry Lawson Festival.

Don’t forget to get a photo with Henry this weekend.

And that’s the way the Cookie Crumbles

Bruce Nolan

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UNDER 8 OLIVER'S HARDWARE V YOUNG

For Grenfell there was good early defense by Xanthe Johnson along with Brodie Loader’s aggressive attacking and quickness on his feet combined with quick running to the play of the ball. Also, Hugh Allen put pressure on the goal along with Brodie Loader’s ¾ field run to save a goal. Kirby Moore executed several good intercepts and runs. Hugh Allen also had some great runs around the opposition with a good half-field run just in front of his parents. Michelle Walker then made a strong penalty corner kick. Annabelle Taylor also saved four goals as goalkeeper – a great effort. Michelle Walker also showed her versatility by kicking with both her left foot as strongly as she did with her right.

Hamish Baker had some strong centre field kicks that resulted in him setting up some good runs for his teammates. Hugh Allen then had a strong kick at goal that was soon followed by two attempts by Michelle Walker. Hayley Taylor directed some good pick up of the ball in the forwards and followed through with some good passes towards the end. Hugh Allen kicked a high goal attempt which narrowly missed going in to the net. Next up Annabelle Taylor made two great goal saves with the offence applying plenty of pressure on her. Half time score: Nil all.

A quick goal from Young early in the 2nd half was quickly followed by Annabelle Taylor’s quick pick up and strong attempt at goal at the other end. Hamish Baker continued to make strong kicks that saved several goals from the opposition.

In the meantime, Michelle Walker and Brodie Loader teamed up well for a long run. Kirby Moore continued his good form by diving on the ball to save several goals. Annabella Taylor displayed good footwork to intercept and push the ball out to the side of the goalposts in defense. Hugh Allen continued to have good control of the ball and to read the game well. Young then scored another goal due to good positioning in front of the goalmouth. Final Score: Young 2 – Grenfell 0. 

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UNDER 10 MITTON BROS. EARTHMOVING LOCAL DERBY

The weather held off for a nail-biting game when the 2 Grenfell 10’s came face to face. Players, parents and other spectators always look forward to the outcome of these very close games! Mitton Bros had a full side once Phoebe arrived fashionably late, but very keen to get in on some action. What a huge improvement she has made in the last few games, along with Sam who was constantly calling for a piece of the action. The Brenner connection (Imogen and McKenzie) both used their speed and agility to defend the play. Josh defended well in the goal during the first half as did Riley in the second half- well done boys! Dylan was great in defence and  exhibited some forceful kicking. Ailish remained focused and followed the play well. Hugh has great ball control and was excellent at passing the ball. Angus had a great game and is enjoying his first year of soccer. Jaxon and Will demonstrated great athleticism and their little legs weaved an intricate pattern all over the field.

With a spell over the long weekend, I anticipate that Ross and his team will be a force to be reckoned with in two weeks time.

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HANCOCK'S HAULAGE U12'S V STEADFAST HOMES

Last Saturday we played at home versus Steadfast Homes of Young. We had two absent this week, Brett Knight and Sarah Glanville. The team to take the field were Isabel Pereira, Zoran Gregory, Tanaya Holz, Peter Armstrong, Lachlan Aspin, Henry Best, Georgia Brenner, Josh Pargenter, Brendan Knight, Casey Walker, Alex Johnson and Jackson Chapman. 

The first half saw Lachlan go goalie doing an excellent job saving many attempts by Young who struggled to get the ball past him. Alex, Tanaya and Casey played well supporting one another throughout the game. Zoran played his best game so far being outstanding in defence as was Brendan. Henry, Jackson and Peter played well and showed a lot of skills and improvement as did the whole team as they seem to be improving every weekend. Alex was first to score and it wasn’t too long before she was successful again putting two past the oppositions goalie making the score 2-0. In true Young style they fought back hard and at half time the score was 3-2 Young’s way.

In the second half we had a change of goalie with Brendan Knight in the number one goalie position. Tanaya continued her great support in the mids and Isabel had a fantastic game as did Georgia continuing to show improvement with foot skills and passing. Josh also played a great game in defence and attacking positions. The second half saw a few changes in the opposition resulting in a few excellent goals. Lachlan had fresh legs in this half and came out firing.

At the full time whistle the final score was 7-2 Steadfasts win. Players of the Match went to Zoran, Tanaya and Lachlan. A big thanks to the parents and players and also to our sponsors Hancock Haulage and our great Coach Warren Chapman.

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SPRAY SAFE AND SAVE U17'S V YOUNG IGA

The under 17s had their most challenging game of the season, and not just the weather. Young’s IGA team were big, strong and fast. Grenfell stepped up with accurate passing and a great game plan and positioning by Coach Martin Galea.

Eddie Galea took a corner and Frazer Burns finished it off to put us on the score sheet. Eddie followed this with his own goal. Young scored just before half time to make it 2-1.

Lewis Keough and the beautiful defensive backs, Charlotte Amery, Grace Best and Katarina Burns were as good as they looked. They tackled and passed the ball strongly, aiding the goal keeper, Deejae Griffiths.

Young scored an equalising goal early in the second half. Kate Amery fended off any more attempts with her sure hands and good judgement. 

Frazer Burns, refreshed after being subbed, scored quickly once back on the field. And followed this up with another goal. Then, RAIN, and lots of it. The ball wasn’t going anywhere, but to their credit, neither team gave up, or let up.

Matt Whatman, Theo Burns and James Day kept feeding the ball forward from the backs to the strikers. It’s a wonderful thing to see a group of kids really playing like a team and I think that’s what sets this team apart.

The final goal resulted after a nearly blind run down the field by Frazer Burns and a pass to Kurtis Meier, who finished it up nicely. Final score: 5-2. 

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HARDY'S GARAGE U14'S V YOUNG AUTO PRO

Grenfell’s Under 14’s Soccer team ‘Hardy’s Garage’ played ‘Auto Pro’ from Young on Saturday. 

Great team work was displayed and all the players varying  strengths and skills  complemented one another. 

Aiden Skinner played 1st half in goal saving many attempts from Young scoring, and in the second half displayed persistent attacking skills.

Ethan Skinner seemed to cover the field in one bound making great breaks from the back. 

Jessica Pereira put in a solid effort the entire game with some great strong kicks and running down of her opponent. 

Andrew Knight had some fantastic attempts of getting the ball up to Grenfell’s goal and played 2nd half saving many goal attempts by Young.

Marie Knight showed her speed and made some great saving kicks. Ebony Meier as always attacked the ball skilfully.  Kali Meir made solid defence moves with strong kicks up the side line.

Bridget Baker displayed strong defensive play.  Paige Hughes showed great skill and agility in both attacking and defending the ball.

Ethan Eyles displayed some fantastic ball skills setting up play.

Aydan Eyles showed his great offensive skills with great touches of the ball.

Unfortunately Young’s Auto Pro defeated our Grenfell ‘Hardy’s Garage’ 4-0.