Day Two
Northern NSW’s 13 and 14 Years FFA National Youth Championships only played one game on Day 2 of the competition and although it was much drier than its predecessor, it was equally as challenging.
13 Years
4:00pm – South Australia Red 0 def. by Northern NSW 1 (Newton 37′)
Northern NSW faced off with South Australia Red in an afternoon 13 Years match and were able to collect a vital three points.
Both sides were struggling to find a way through their oppositions’ defence, until Bailey Newton found his third goal of the tournament and it was enough to seal the sides’ second victory.
NNSWF Technical Director Michael Browne said he felt the victory was a deserved one.
“The first half saw the boys dominate the game and despite creating several good opportunities the score line was still even at half time,” said Browne.
“In many ways, the game had a similar pattern to the one against Football NSW yesterday however, a well taken goal midway through the second half saw our team take a deserved lead and despite some late pressure from South Australia, it was an overall pleasing performance that merited the 3 points.”
14 Years
5:00pm – South Australia Red 4 (Toure 22’, 43’, Fergus-Lynch 29’, Oliveria 48’) def. Northern NSW 1 (Kelly 46’)
The 14 Years side followed the 13 Years and were also up against South Australia Red, however unlike their fellow Member Federation squad, they weren’t able to find victory.
South Australia came out of the gates firing in the first half as they lead by two at the break, and the second half was much of the same as they scored yet another two.
Captain Charlie Kelly nabbed a late consolation goal, but ultimately it was too little, too late.
Browne believed his side may have been a little unlucky over the course of the match, but showed a fair deal of character and togetherness throughout the loss.
“The first half was fairly even and within a minute, the NNSW side were denied a reasonable penalty claim and our opponents were awarded a somewhat harsh penalty at the other end and went 1-0 up,” Browne said.
“Two well worked goals saw the South Australian team go 3-0 up and despite getting one back it was not enough and they ran out deserved winners.
“South Australia would be one of the strongest U14 sides in the competition, but on the positive side, the staff were pleased with the way the team kept battling to the end,” Browne concluded.
Competition Ladder after Day 2
The complete results from Day 2 and the rest of the tournament can be found here.
Day One
Day One of the FFA National Youth Championships for Boys begun at Coffs Harbou’s C.ex International Stadium and both the Northern NSW Football 13 and 14 Years sides found victories on the opening day.
13 Years
9:00am – Northern NSW 1 (Own Goal 17′) def. by Football NSW Navy 2 (Gasking 39′, 47′)
12:00pm – Northern NSW 3 (Leong 1′, Newton 19′, 26′) def. Northern Territory 0
It was a close tussle in the 13 Years’ first match of the day, but Northern NSW weren’t able to stop the Football NSW Navy team as they overcame an early deficit to win.
Northern NSW scored the first goal of the match through an own goal to lead at half-time, but a second half penalty for Football NSW Navy saw them equalise.
Football NSW grabbed another not long after and it was enough to get the victory.
Things were different in the second match of the day for Northern NSW though as they flexed their muscles against Northern Territory.
Yue Hon Leong was amazingly able to find the opening goal in just under a minute of play, before Bailey Newton continued their dominance scoring a double in the first half.
The lead was too strong for Northern Territory, and Northern NSW held on for their first win of the competition.
NNSWF Technical Director Michael Browne said that despite the heavy rain and wet pitch, he was ultimately happy with the team’s performance and effort but there were things to work on for the next coming days.
“Overall it was a decent collective performance with some pleasing individual displays,” Browne said.
“The first game was fairly even and the boys missed several chances to extend their lead before conceding a late goal which saw NSW take all 3 points.
“The afternoon game against NT resulted in a comfortable win, however, in terms of the performance it was a little disappointing.
“The players dominated possession but failed to make the most of promising positions. The driving rain possibly did not help but the coaching staff will be hoping for an improvement tomorrow.”
14 Years
10:00am – Northern NSW 1 (Oakley-McLean 10′) def. by Football NSW Navy 4 (Waddell 8, Milnaric 21′, Helweh 24′, Burden 36′)
1:00pm – Northern NSW 4 (Cavallaro 4′, Power O’Toole 21′, Kelly 43′, Oakley-McLean 47′) def. Northern Territory 0
The 14 Years Northern NSW side were also up against Football NSW Navy in their opening fixture of the tournament and although the team showed promising signs, their opposition was far too strong.
Jameson Oakley-McLean scored the first goal for the team equalising the game, but Football NSW Navy grabbed two before the half-time break and the second half proved more of the same as Northern NSW finished behind.
Their second match of the day saw those initial hopeful signs come to fruition as Northern NSW trounced Northern Territory.
Beau Cavallaro scored after just four minutes and Taye Power O’Toole quickly gained his side a first-half brace.
Charlie Kelly and Oakley-McLean scored two great goals in quick succession of one another in the second half and it put an exclamation mark on a terrific performance and their first victory.
Browne admitted that although the first result didn’t go as hoped, he was proud of his team for their efforts and win in their second fixture.
“The U14 side played a strong NSW team in the first game and were comprehensively beaten 4-1,” Browne said.
“NSW were physically very strong and had some promising players and a couple of late goals saw them deservedly take all 3 points.
“The afternoon game against NT, however, saw a much improved performance.
“The team scored some well-worked goals and it ended up being a comprehensive victory,” he concluded.
