Womens 1st Division
Balgownie Rangers  0 (0) – (0) 0 Dapto at Lakelands Oval

1. L Ferrie 2. M Russell 3. M Lea 4. E Edkins 5. A Lo Surdo 6. D Martin
7. A Oliver 8 C Lear 9. J Belsito 10. L Rengger 11. A Werakso
12. I Khan 13. K Chandler 14. C Lenane

This was a tough battle between 2 of the top teams in the league. Neither team gave an inch and if you wanted to gain an inch you had to fight damn hard to get it. It was a physical encounter, at times messy football but it couldn’t be helped. I commend all the girls for their tremendous effort especially backing up from last week.
This is exactly what I can be proud of from my team. A team that goes out and puts 120% effort for the whole game. A team that helps their teammates when needed. When we look down and tired teammates are their to help you find something extra. Win lose or draw you walk off that pitch knowing you gave it all, your teammates gave everything they had and you can all be proud of yourselves.
The last 2 weeks will play an important part in our finals campaign. We have a bye next and then 2 more matches before the first semi final. Cant wait.
Outstanding effort to all. Thank you.

Coach Umberto

BRFC 24th July Podcast

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First Grade
Balgownie Rangers  2 (1) – (0) 0 Helensburgh Thistle at Judy Masters Oval

Bally welcomed The Burgh to Judy Masters Oval in Round 16 and maintained their lead at the top with a comfortable 2-0 win.

The last time the two sides met The Rangers were lucky to come away with anything in a 3-3 draw, so the boys were aware of the dangerous Burgh side and started the game on the front foot. An early goal was needed to signal the possession dominance and Rick got on the end of a lovely through ball from Doz, and he finished with aplomb with a lob over the keeper from 25 yards for 1-0. Toddy made a couple of smart saves on the rare occasion the back 3 were troubled and Doz had a shot cleared off the line but the score remained 1-0 at the break.

Bally came out in the second period in similar fashion, but rather than creating plenty of chances the defence and midfielders were giving nothing away and The Rangers were good for their lead. Rick doubled the advantage with another smart finish to put the result beyond doubt and more chances fell for the boys, with Jezza taking an airswing from 5 yards and Doz somehow not scoring from the rebound. But 2-0 was a fair score and The Rangers march on!!!!

Youth Grade
Balgownie Rangers  2 (1) – (0) 1 Helensburgh Thistle at Judy Masters Oval

After a hard fought 1-1 draw with Shell City, The Rangers needed to get back to winning ways to stay in touch with leaders Kiama, who were 4 points infront of the boys at the start of the day. A positive attacking start by Bally with our midfield looking easily the stronger in the opening half hour. The boys began to get frustrated as the strikers could seem to knock in numerous chances layed on for them. Josh Buckley took matters into his own hands with a low rocketed volley from 25 yards which flew past the young Helensburgh custodian to give Balgownie the breakthrough. Damian Masi and Ryan Trevor became adventurous from the back in the second half which added another attacking dimension, but left Bally open to a counter attack from Helensburgh. After a poor mixup at the back from the defenders and big Chris Dunning in goals, the thistles pulled the game back to 1-1. Bally kept on pushing and were rewarded with the winner 10 minutes from time when Cristian Appoloni powered a header from Luke Buckleys corner into the net. Bally stay within 4 of 1st placed Kiama who they have away on Saturday. They’re hopes will be boosted by Andrew Milnes full return to the squad and a resurgent Daniel Vardareff making his first appearance in 7 weeks after dislocating his knee against Coniston in round 10.

Division One (Reserve Grade)
Balgownie Rangers  2 (0) – (1) 2 Woonona at Judy Masters Oval

A huge game for Bally – playing 1st place Woonona and trying to close the 4 point gap. A typical game of two halves with Woonona dominating the opening stanza and grabbing an early goal after a slip up in defence allowed the ball to fall at the feet of Woonona’s striker in a great position to poke the ball past Apples Snr, in off the far upright. 1-0 Woonona. As the half went on Bally weathered the storm with some desperate defending after being caught out in the midfield and defence on almost every play.

Half-time saw Benny change the formation slightly and it worked wonders. Bally immediately had control of the game – slick passing, lots of running off the ball, more talk, lots more opportunities.Midway through the half Apples Snr sent the ball right down the guts with a long punt, Pablo’s first time flick near the edge of the box was all that was needed for Traka to score and Bally equalised. Bally kept the pressure up and Woonona’s keeper seemed nervous with every high-ball and Bally took advantage of this with an in-swinging ball into the box creating havoc for Woonona’s defence and Rich Astone being on hand to smash the ball into the net to take the lead 2-1. It was short lived though, with another defensive lapse saw the Woonona winger easily beat two men just inside the box to slot the ball across for a sloppy tap-in. Rich Astone had a header go millimeters wide in the final minute.

2-2 was the final score, and probably counted as one that got away with Bally really dominating in the second half. With results going our way Woonona and Fernhill remain 4 points ahead although Thirroul are now 3rd and us 4th. A tight finish to the season looks likely, however winning all remaining games is now a must.

 BRFC Podcast - 24th July 2010 [15:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

‘VALE’ GEORGE NAYLOR

The BRFC Committee, supporters and family would like to pass on their sincere condolences to the Naylor family with the passing of George Naylor on Saturday morning.

George Naylor was a legend of Illawarra Football and served in many positions at the District level and at this Club, a man whose contributions to this region will be forever remembered.

This Saturday (24th July) at Judy Masters Oval, we shall observe a (1) one minute silence at 3:00 pm in memory of George Naylor – as a mark of respect for his tireless contributions and success with football in the region.

Funeral Details:

Thursday 22nd July 2010
Crossroads Christian Community (Fairy Meadow Anglican Church)
1 Princes Hwy (cnr Jardine St)
Fairy Meadow 2519
Phone: 02-4285-5011
www.crossroadscc.org.au

BRFC 18th July Podcast

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 BRFC Podcast - 18th July [8:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

First Grade
Balgownie Rangers  5 (3) – (3) 3 Shellharbour City at Keith Bond Oval

Goals: Joshua Faulks 4 and Matthew Clark

1.Chris Todd
4.Aaron Davis
2.Matthew Clark 3.Dale Masters
7.Blake Riordan 5.Glen Smede 6.Jeremy Winner 11.Jeff North
8.Rick Metcalf
9.Joshua Faulks 10.Glen Dorrian

Substitute(s):
12.Travis Faulks (for Blake Riordan)
13.Daniel Simpson
14.Jake Morgan
15.Josh Buckley
16.Chris Dunning

Cards: No Cards

Bally were away in round 15 at Shell City and made hard work of things to eventually win 5-3.

Going against the pattern of most games this season which have been tight and crying out for a goal, The Rangers were fast out of the blocks and a depleted Shellharbour side looked in for a tough day. Josh got a first half hattrick in typical fashion, the first 2 from pin-point balls in from Northy and Rick. The 3rd was from a lovely ball from Azza, which Faulksy spun on and buried into the top corner. But each time he scored Shellharbour managed to equalize, a combination of slack marking and individual brilliance from Colin Walker. The normally water tight defence was struggling to contain Walker, who when he wants to, can cause any defence massive problems. The game was somehow still in the balance at the break at 3-3, but Bally were unfortunate not to be ahead, with City’s keeper pulling off 2 wonderful saves from Rick and Doz.

In the second half Bally turned up the heat and it seemed only a matter of time before The Rangers took the lead. Josh, Rick, Doz, Northy, Smedey, Jezza all had chances which were either saved or missed and Shellharbour were happy to sit back and basically hang on. On the rare occasion they broke forward Toddy did well with a good reaction save and not long after Big Bird Clarkey popped up from a delightful floated ball from Rick for 4-3. The contest was over soon after Doz drilled a free kick from distance which the keeper couldnt handle and you guessed it, Josh was there to finish the scraps to take his tally to a remarkable 18 goals for the year, and to keep The Rangers 4 points clear at the top.

The Rangers welcome a dangerous Burgh side this week, and with the sides sharing the points earlier in the season it provides the boys with another tough test. Go The Rangers!!!!

Youth Grade
Balgownie Rangers  1 (0) – (1) 1 Shellharbour City at Keith Bond Oval

Goal: Jed Waters

1.Chris Dunning
4.Ryan Trevor
3.Cristian Apolloni 2.Damian Massi
8.Luke Buckley 7.Daniel Simpson 5.Jed Waters 11.Kevin McDonald
6.Josh Buckley
9.Jordan Everson 10.Jake Morgan

Substitute(s):
12.Jordan Townsend (for Jordan Everson)
13.Luke McDonald (for Luke Buckley)

Card:Ryan Trevor (Y)

On Saturday, it 2nd vs 3rd in the battle to gain ground on leaders Kiama. Balgownie were fielding only 13 players with Andrew Milne and Daniel Vardareff still out and Reece Musumeci having announced his retirement from soccer on Thursday. Despite that, Bally started strong getting stuck in with the physical Shell City side. 25 minutes through the first half Bally was dealt a blow when there only fit recognized striker, Jordan Everson went off with what was later diagnosed as ligament damage in his knee. Jordan Townsend came on but Bally conceded almost immediately when a looping half volley somehow chipped giant ‘keeper Chris Dunning to give the home side a 1-0 lead at half time. Luke Buckley, Jake Morgan and Jordan Townsend kept pressuring the defence until Jed Waters beat the onrushing City keeper with a placed volley. That’s how the scores stayed and Bally remain 3 points ahead of 3rd placed Shell City. Unfortunately for the boys, a Kiama win puts them 4 points off the pace with 2 tough games in the next fortnight

Division One (Reserve Grade)
Balgownie Rangers  1 (1) – (2) 2 Fernhill at Ray Robinson Field

Goal:Travis Faulks

1.Brent Wilson
5.Alan Appleby
2.Johnathon McCreary 4.Daniel Vlietstra
6.Pablo Neira
7.Travis Faulks 8.Paolo Cicero 11.Jason Zakara 3.Marty Luskan
9.Dale Schmid 10.Richard Astone

Substitute(s):
12.Ben Zentrich (for Marty Luskan)
13.Ben Christiansen
14.Anthony Oliver (for Paolo Cicero)
15.Sam Bell (for Alan Appleby)
16.Daniel Lewis (for Jason Zakara)

Cards: No Cards

Top of the table clash between first and third, all the goals came in the first half with Fernhill scoring 2 while Bally got 1 goal. The Fernhill goals came in the 15th and 45th minutes and really were soft goals but again that is why they are 5 points ahead of us on the table as they took their chances. Balgownie’s goal came in the 35th minute when Travis Faulks closed down the keeper and he held onto he ball too long and his clearance hit Travis’s left leg and the ball rebounded back into the Fernhill onion bag.

The second half (apart from the last 15 minutes when Balgownie were caught on the counter attack) was dominated by the Rangers with a couple of clear cut chances being spurned by the black and whites. a disappointing result and it now means we are long odds at regaining the title we won last year, but I know the boys will persevere and try and get the three points against Woonona today, but that will be very hard task as they are coming second.

Womens 1st Division
Balgownie Rangers  2 (1) – (1) 4 Dandaloo at Judy Masters Oval

1. L Ferrie 2. K Chandler 3. M Lea 4. E Edkins 5. C Lear 6. A oliver
7. D Martin 8. A Werakso 9. J Belsito 10. L Rengger 11. M Russell
12. C Lenane

This was the top of the table clash with both teams sitting on the same points and both teams fighting for that edge in the championship title. It was a 90 minute battle which produced 6 goals. Maybe a fair result would have been a 3 all draw but it wasnt to be. The lead went back and forth a couple times but in the end Dandaloo had the extra goals.

All the girls put in a tremendous effort. We were unlucky at times not to score a couple more goals when a Dayna cross went flashing past the goal mouth and Josephine also hitting the bar. Even with 5 minutes to go and the score at 4 – 2 we continued to push for goals. Our intensity was great and we matched them all over the park.

When we meet Dandaloo again come finals time it is going to be a game not to miss let me tell you!!! We have some unfinished business dont we ladies!!!
Thanks for a top effort.

Coach Umberto

IFA District League & Division One Tables after round 14

(Courtesy of the IFA Website)