ALL JUNIOR GAMES SET DOWN FOR 26TH JUNE 2009 ARE OFF

19 June:

Despite yet more rain, the Byron Bay Soccer juniors got in three games on Friday evening and a couple on Saturday thanks to the High School. 

The 16 Zebras faced rapidly improving Mullumbimby and it was clear from the start that the game was going to be close, with the visitors creating openings with their passing game in the midfield.  However sound defending from Byron’s trio of Sophie, Bianca and Anika was minimising the danger to the Byron goal, while Alanna was holding the centre well and Hanna was cool under pressure. At the 16 minute mark a moment of loose cover gave Mullum the chance with a fantastic long strike from Wave, which was impossible for keeper Kam to reach.  But five minutes later Byron replied with Maddy’s  lightening run from left onto a through ball with Georgia in support, the ball spilling from the tackle with the keeper and Maddy finishing off slotting the ball from the goal-line.  Meanwhile with Izzy now on the field playing  a fantastic game , Byron went into the change rooms solidly in control of the game.  In the second half Byron had adopted a more defensive shape, resting injured Bianca and bringing on Amber who was solid as ever as sweeper.  Anika proved a thorn in the Mullum side preventing further incursions on their right wing with her position and team work.  When Violet came on again she was indefatiguable in her aggressive play backed up by passing off whenever she won the ball.  Hanna ran back on into the midfield and the momentum was firmly Byron’s way resulting in a goal to Georgia from pressing up-front play, and another to Hanna after some accurate passing to put the game away for the Zebras.

The 16 Rams faced Mullum Magic at Mullumbimby, and the first half was close.  For the Rams several players were outstanding, notable Beau, Kai and Harley whose passing game has developed markedly,  Zen who has learnt to use his strength to great advantage in the midfield and Zac showing a return to his previous athleticism.  When the breakthrough came late in the half it was from a good ball to Nick who made no mistake when he played his way to one-on-one with the keeper.  In the second half Byron went to the next level, Jordy rampant with three goals following excellent build-ups from the team. 

The 15 Rams played an impressive first  half to lead by three goals at half time.  Tani was dynamic and could have finished with an even higher tally, and shared the goals with Harry and Frederick.  After the break Bangalow struck back and looked dangerous.  However Byron steadied and held the Bluedogs to just one goal. 

The 10 Rams against Mullum had their toughest game this season, and were one-all at half time.  Their passing was outstanding notably Tom who passed back several times, while Sam was solid in defense.  After the break Byron went on to score two more goals to win well.  Angus was one-on-one with the keeper twice and made no mistakes slotting the ball, while Alex came from the right to beat two players for his score.

Unfortunately the 10 Panthers went down but Pacha saved several goals in the second half assisted by Tobias, Gabby and Maddison who all defended strongly to keep Pottsville to 2 goals for the game.

12 june:

The weather finally smiled and the Byron Bay Soccer Club juniors had a great weekend of football.  First up at home were the 16 Rams who never looked in danger against Rovers.  An outstanding long strike by Nick Enter curved past the keeper to open the Byron score, and Zen received Byron player of the match after a solid headed goal later in the game.  The win puts them in third place as they prepare to take on arch-rivals Mullumbimby on Friday night.

 On the Sunday the 16 Zebras struggled with a new pattern of play for the first half, but some determined defending,  a great looped strike by Georgia Enter and solid central play by newcomer Alanna Noone enabled them to lead by a goal at half time.  In the second half the girls finished strongly as usual with two goals to Alex Chakos and another to the murcurial Bella Crowder, to take the game away against Ballina.  They now face a rapidly-improving Mullumbimby at Byron on Friday, after the Mullum girls became the only team to earn points against the talented Alstonville side. 

The 15 Panthers played a solid game but were unable to overcome pointscore leaders Kyogle.  However next day the team netted 6 goals to down Dunoon in a good team effort, and Matt Vidler demonstrated good club spirit in refereeing two earlier games as well as playing his own match. 

The 15 Rams had a good away win with notable performances from another referee, Aiden Ray and also from Yoshua Mader.  Despite a good goal from Kalia Flick, the 15 Stingrays lost 1-3 to Thistles.  In playing over the top of Bangalow,

the young 14 Rams notched up their first win in a great team display, while the Panthers’ Stephen Davies scored 5 times in his team’s demolition of Mullumbimby.

The 13 Panthers had a 3-1 win over Tintenbar. Solid defensive work from Tom and the two Brad's kept the opposition out while Reuben, Eli and Cameron combined well at the front to put the Panthers ahead. A beautiful strike from Grace added a goal at the end to finish the game.  Against a strong Woodburn team,

the 13 Pumas held the visitors to 4 goals, and are improving by the week. 

The 12 Wildcats had a sound 2-0 win against Kyogle while the 11 Rams were unlucky to run out of time as they finished full of running against Bangalow. 

The 10 Rams’ 6-1 win over Shores United was another dynamic performance with a hat trick from Louis, a double from Sam and one for Angus. Great defensive work from Jack and Rory while Alex was strong on the wing and unlucky not to score. 

10 Rams - Six unanswered goals sealed a comprehensive victory over Goonellabah in a storming display from a team that thrives on getting the ball forward quickly. Goals to Tom, Griffin, Blair, Jack, Louis and Joe in a real team effort. Great passing, crossing and communication within the team is backed up by solid defensive work from Rory, Sam and Jaiden making them a hard team to beat. Special mention to Tom and Griffin who covered miles of ground in the midfield and were instrumental in both defense and attack.

13 Panthers - A challenging game for the panthers against top of the table Richmond Rovers saw them go down 4-0. Great set-up play from Djina and Grace in mid-field led to some super-strikes from Reuben which were unfortunately denied by the goal-keeper leaving them scoreless. Two wins from three so far in a promising start to the season for a team that is improving every game.

16 Zebras – An exiting 3-2 win at South Lismore despite shortage of players, with Cam excelling in goal. Anika’s almost flawless passing out of defence and Violet’s unceasing pressure up front typified the girls’ disciplined game which they played out to the very end with Georgia converting from a penalty outside the box,with a beautiful high ball with two minutes to go.  16 Rams - went down 1-2 to a determined Goonelabah team with Nick best Byron player and Javan showing his lion heart in the midfield.  

14 Panthers had a 4-1 win agains Pottsville with Tai, Nick and James dynamic in their goal scoring while the 14 Rams held last year’s premiers to a 2-all draw in a fantastic display of precision football. 

Men’s 4^th went down, matching the opposition in the first half but capitulating for a vital 15 minutes in the second half when Brunswick Valley hammered home three goals.  The First Division team looked impressive for a win against Pottsville but the First Reserves struggled in their game.

Byron Bay Soccer Club Junior Games 15 to 17 May

Sunny weather meant a full weekend of football for Byron’s junior teams. 

The 11 Rams’ Tesu scored a fantastic running goal early in their game to equalize but Lennox struck back twice before half time.  However the Rams kept the opposition scoreless after half time.  The 12 Wildcats played for a hard-fought draw against South Lismore, with Kiarna scoring their only goal.  The girls were unlucky as they kept the ball in their half most of the game.  Jessica got hit by the ball in the face near the end in defending bravely.

The 12 Panthers also had a draw in an exciting game, Oscar scoring three times. Kiarna doubled up and she, Jackson and Blair played really well, in a game notable for the Panthers improved team work and their defensive work where Talia led the way.

 Not so lucky were the 13 Girls who went down 1.6 to Comets,  with Jessica the goal-scorer.

The 14 Panthers played good passing footy to win 2-0 with the goals shared between Tai and Nick. Mitchell was outstanding in only his second time as goalie.

The 15 Panthers broke the drought with a 9-0 win against Nimbin in a confidence booster with much-improved finishing.  In some away games, both 16 boys and girls teams had impressive wins while the 14 Rams continue to show they are competitive in stepping up a level this year, in going down in a close game 0-1. 

The 15 Rams are looking like the team they were some years ago, in drawing 1-1.  Coach Ray was impressed with the way the boys never gave up with River scoring the equalizer with 20 seconds to go: “Fantastic all-round team effort” were his words. 

In Senior Mens games, the First Reserves lost 0-2 at Pottsville, with young Sean helping out as keeper unable to do much against the first goal, a header from the corner, and then finding himself 1v1 when Pottsville scored the second.  The Fourths got the three points after a couple of lean weeks.