Football Matter with Cyclops

Local

Last weekend was a much better weekend for the Burdekin Panthers as they won three and drew one out of the four games played. The Division One Funkies drew 3-3 away to Estates Navy on Friday night in Townsville. The other three teams were all at home to Saints Eagles Souths on Saturday. The Premiers won 4-0, the Under 23s won 1-0 and the Ladies won 2-1.

This week the Panthers have five games with the Division 1 Funkies playing twice.  On Tuesday night they are at home to Brothers and then on Friday night they are playing Ingham in Townsville. On Saturday, the Premiers, Under 23s and Ladies are all away to JCU Riverway.

The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers having lost to Saints last time out were keen to make amends. It started very well for the Panthers with the first chance coming in the opening minutes. In the twelfth minute, after a superbly taken free kick was tapped onto the bar, Antoine found himself unmarked on the goal line to calmly tap home for the opening goal. Six minutes later, Jay Leckenby scored with a left foot volley which left the keeper no chance. Just after the half hour mark, Luke Maguire finally got his goal after having a few shots saved by the goalkeeper. The half ended 3-0. The second half started as the first finished, with the Panthers camped in the Saints half, and the Saints keeper having plenty to do. It wasn't until the 76th minute that Maguire found himself with another goal after a mazy run. The match ended in a 4-0 win for the Panthers. If not for a top performance from the Saints goalkeeper, it could have been a much worse scoreline. 

Burdekin FC Reserves were a little bit light on for troops this week due to injuries in both grades, but the coach was confident that the squad taking the field could do the job of getting a win on Sponsors Day. Burdekin started well dominating possession creating several clear chances during the first half hour but couldn’t convert to goals. The subs bench provided some extra energy and at the 30 minute mark an excellent corner from Jhett Jones was headed in by Connor Brown. The rest of the half was the same story with goalkeeper Luke Mottin only called on for one good save to deny a Saints counterattack. It was a different game in the second half playing into the wind, good field position was much harder to get as the amount of possession swung back in Saints favour. The Panthers defence was resolute and absorbed a lot of pressure. Midfield worked hard and gave the forwards opportunities to make counter attacks but there was no change to the score and the Panthers had a well deserved 1-0 win.

The Austral Masonry Funkies played out a six goal thriller against Estates on Friday night at Burt Street Football Park. Burdekin were on top early moving the ball around well and getting in behind the Estates defence with a number of through balls. Unfortunately, none of these breaks resulted in a goal. Estates had a couple of chances that were shut down by some scrambling defence and the teams went to the half time tied at 0-0. Burdekin went behind early in the second half after a ball was not cleared  from a corner. This rattled the Funkies, and they conceded a second goal two minutes later from almost the same spot. Burdekin then lifted and were rewarded when a shot from Jack Shears took a deflection from a defender and went in after 61 minutes. Estates restored their two goal lead in the 68th minute and then tried to see out the game by slowing it down. The Funkies struck again in the 74th minute with a goal from Alec Contzonis and Jack Shears then equalised in the last minute. A good draw for the Funkies after twice being two goals down. Burdekin have a catch up game at home on Tuesday night against Brothers.

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies were fired up and ready to go as they held the main game time slot on Saturday. In front of a huge crowd, the ladies showed great enthusiasm and promise as they attacked hard and fast. Sienna Lago set the pace following a ball in the back of the net opening the scoring for the ladies in the 12th minute. Burdekin continued pushing forward and were rewarded with a goal from Ellyana Mugica in the 21st minute. Charley Ruskin put on a brilliant performance in goal for the first half, keeping the girls in the game and saving many crucial shots. In the second half, the Ladies continued to push forward but couldn’t manage another goal. In the 67th minute, a freekick just outside the Burdekin penalty area allowed Saints to score. The Burdekin showed determination in defence and in attack were unfortunate to not add another goal but came away with a 2-1 win in their last home game for the year!

The Under13 & Under15 Panthers did not have matches last weekend.

Masters

Had another good turn out and in a pre-play of the Olympics semi-final Spain thumped Morocco 4-0. Just two more weeks of Monday Night Masters before 2024 season winds up. Delta Cleaners Night Soccer begins its 46th Season on Tuesday 3rd September.

Juniors

Juniors had local matches on Saturday.  Townsville teams recommence coming down this weekend for the next four weeks.  Our breakup and final local games will be on Saturday 7th September.  Enjoy what is left of the rest of this successful season!

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