Football Matters with Cyclops

Local

Last weekend was not a good weekend for the Burdekin Panthers. They had four games, winning one and losing three. On Friday night the Division One Funkies lost 0-2 at home to Estates Blue and on Saturday, the Premiers, Under 23s and Ladies were all at home to Brothers. The day started well with the Under 23s winning 2-1 but the ladies lost 0-7 and the Premiers went down 0-1.

This week the Panthers have four away games all against Warriors. On Friday night, it is the Division One Funkies and on Saturday the Premiers, Under 23s and Ladies.

The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers were up against a Brothers team that knew this was a very important game. Brothers brought this onto the pitch with a level of intensity in the defensive side of the game and set up a very compact shape that made it hard for the Panthers to break through. In attack, Brothers tried to catch Burdekin on the counter and managed to pull a few close saves from Jarrod Camer. In attack, Burdekin’s Elliott Dal Santo forced a great save from Brothers keeper and Matthew Kolb shot wide after being put through by Jay Leckenby but neither side could score before half time. The game continued in a similar fashion to start the second half with both sides having some half chances but no one able to capitalise. Brothers hit the lead in the 70th.

From there, their compact shape got even tighter, making it harder for Burdekin to find a way through. A few chances came to the Panthers in the last 15 minutes, none better than a rocket of a shot by Ryan Scodellaro that clattered against the cross bar and bounced out. Unfortunately, the Panthers were not able to find an equaliser, losing 1-0. The Panthers goalkeeper Jarrod Camer was the Burdekin Man of the Match

The Burdekin Tyre Service Under 23s. Every game from here feels like do or die for the Panthers if they want to be playing finals football. Against a Brother’s side that we haven't lost to this year there was a sense of belief around the squad. However, the game started with Brothers dominating the proceedings on the back of a few unforced errors from the Panthers. A few inspired substitutions from the coach saw the Burdekin reinvigorated and on the stroke of half time after a nice little interchange of passes on top of the box Adam Mottin scored to make it 1-0 heading into the break. The second half started off much better for the Panthers but a second goal wouldn’t come. Then with fifteen minutes left, Jarrod Dal Santo, on the right hit a cross into the penalty area that Damien Casella put into the back of the net to make it 2-0. Shortly after, Brothers scored to set up a tense finish, but Burdekin was able to see out the final stages and finish the game with a 2-1 win. 

The Austral Masonry Funkies were at home against Estates Blue on Friday night. Burdekin started the game slowly and were under pressure early on. Estates took the lead after fourteen minutes with a shot from just inside the area. This lead was doubled ten minutes later after a shot was drilled into the bottom corner of the goal after the Estates player was given too much time and space on the ball. In a repeat of the last couple of weeks the Burdekin team worked their way into the game and finished the half strongly but couldn’t convert any of their chances. The Funkies were a lot stronger in the second half straight from the whistle and had some moments of slick ball movement. Unfortunately, no goals resulted from this good play. Neither team managed to score in the second half which left the final score 2-0 to Estates.

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies met midweek for a clash with Saints followed by a home game fixture against Brothers on Saturday night. Wednesday night saw the women walk away victorious, winning just their second game against the fiery and physical Saints. The Ladies proved able to hold their own and produce some quality football. Sienna Lago scored two goals and Charlotte Dal Santo snagged the third. Burdekin winning 3-2, coming back from 2 nil down. The taste of victory unfortunately proved to be too sweet as Burdekin faced 2nd placed Brothers on Saturday. They were met by an extremely skilled Brothers team. Burdekin were unfortunate to lose 0-7. The standard of football the Burdekin produced against Brothers was far more technical and confident than that from the beginning of the season. It must be noted that the Ladies have improved greatly, especially defensively. Hopefully with some shooting practice at training, the attackers will be rewarded for their outstanding runs. 

The Under 13s Panthers took on MAO Maroon on Saturday at Paradise Park going down 4-2. In another improved performance the team went ahead with a cracking goal by Rohan Kelly and were leading 1-0 at the interval. MAO came out firing after half time and scored 3 unanswered goals before Rohan Kelly scored again showing great determination. Unfortunately, the boys couldn’t keep the intensity up for the full 70 minutes and went down 4-2. Rohan Kelly, William Shears and Jacob Menso all had great games.

Masters

On a perfect night for a game, it was nice to see a good turnout and in a replay of the Euro 2024 Final, England beat Spain 1-0 with a second half goal from Drew Bursey.
There are just seven weeks of Monday Night Masters left before Night Soccer kicks off on Tuesday 3rd September.

Juniors

The club held its annual junior carnival on Sunday 14th July. It was a very successful day all around for teams, players and the Club, with so many happy faces, quality football and positive feedback from out-of-town clubs. The club expressed their gratitude to everyone who made the event happen, as well as the donations of food and raffle prizes from sponsors and other organisations.

A special thanks also to the youth and senior players for refereeing the games to ensure the day ran smoothly, and to Steven Caltabiano from Honeycombes for being on hand all day to present the winners and runners up with their medals.

There are a few more carnivals coming up, with Wulguru on Sunday 28th July, Bowen Sunday 4th August and Ingham Sunday 18th August.  Wulguru nominations would be closed now.  Please support Bowen and Ingham carnivals where you can, a lot of Bowen and Ingham teams travel to the carnival. Games as per normal will recommence this Saturday.

National and International

In their last game before the Olympics kick off, the Matildas went down 1-2 to Canada in a friendly match in Spain. Their first Olympics match will be against Germany on 25th July in Marseille. They then meet Zambia on 28th July in Nice, and their final group match is against the USA in Marseille on 31st July.
Euro 2024 has now been decided with Spain beating England 2-1 in the Final, held in Berlin early on Monday morning. Frank Giddy won the SLoBs competition.

The Copa America was also decided, with Argentina defeating Colombia 1-0 in extra time. The match was played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

This week’s quote is from Argentine and Napoli hero Diego Maradona. “The goal was scored a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”

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