Division One (Reserve Grade)
Balgownie Rangers  1 (1) – (0) 0 Dapto
D. Schmid 1

With captain Alan Appleby out for this game – assisting with the birth of his first son, things had to be re-shuffled around for the defending champions. Brent came into the sweeper role, while Richard Astone came back into the team up front.

Bally started the game well, however, running into the wind saw most of the ball in their own half and it showed with Dapto having half a dozen free kicks just outside the box early on in the game. All attempts were either saved by Apples Snr in goal or the wall did enough to deflect/frighten the Dapto strikers attempts.

Bally were awarded a penalty mid-way through the half, however Paul Cicero’s attempt was weak and although the ‘keeper was sent the wrong way, Cich’s stab floated over the crossbar. Dale notched up another goal to his slowly increasing tally, after some great team play saw him slot in from close range to give Bally a 1 goal advantage going into the break. Dapto were reduced to 10 men before half-time which would give Bally extra confidence for the second half.

Due to the wind and Dapto’s reduced team, the remainder of the game was almost exclusively played in Dapto’s end of the ground. Bally peppered the Dapto goal with shots, but the final touch was just not there for Bally today. 3 points were taken, however Bally really should have buried this team with half a dozen goals.

BRFC Team
1. Robert Appleby
2. John McCreary
3. Brent Wilson
4. Blake Riordan
5. Pablo Neira
6. Marty Luskan
7. Paul Cicero
8. Peter Lukin
9. Dale Schmid
10. Travis Faulks (c)
11. Richard Astone
12. Brad Innes
13. Ben Christiansen (on for Richard Astone 79m)
14. Ben Zentrich (on for Travis Faulks 10m)
15. Anthony Oliver (on for Ben Zentrich 60m)

Division One (Reserve Grade)
Woonona Sharks 1 (0) – (2) 2 Balgownie Rangers
J. Zakara  1, P. Lukin 1

Yet another different lineup for Reserve Grade, with Alan Appleby, Rich Astone and Ben Zentrich all out, Daniel Lewis came in to captain the side, Dale back from 1st’s and Anthony Oliver and Brent Wilson came into the back line. Overcast, with periods of light rain and sunshine poking through through out the game.

Ocean Park is always difficult to play at and Woonona are always a strong side and today was no different. The Sharks seemed to have all the ball in the first half and saw them unleash a few shots which were superbly deflected away by Apples Snr in goals. Zac had two early chances that went inches wide. The two goals came from the very limited posession we had and against the run of play but were well worked. Brent fired in a free kick from in our own half, the Woonona ‘keeper let it slip through his hands and in the ensuing goal moluth scramble, Jason Zakara poked home the goal for Bally to go one up. A short time later Peter Lukin was on the scoresheet after some great lead-up work from Traka and then a beautifal flick-on header from Dale, gave Zak an opportunity to lay-off for Peter who made no mistake from close range.

Bally picked up a little more posession in the second half, but a lapse in concentration in the middle of the park saw Woonona quickly counter and their tall striker put one around Apples. That gave Woonona some much needed spark and they dominated the remaining 10 minutes with some good shots on goal, one hitting the post and another save and some desperate defending kept Woonona out.

It has been a while since Reserve Grade have won away to Woonona, so a good 3 points for us keeps us up near the top of the table.

BRFC Team
1. Robert Appleby
2. Sam Bell
3. Marty Luskan
4. Anthony Oliver
5. Brent Wilson
6. Daniel Lewis (c)
7. Paul Cicero
8. Peter Lukin
9. Dale Schmid
10. Travis Faulks
11. Jason Zakara
12. John McCreary
13. Ben Christiansen
14. Blake Riordan
15.

Division One
BRFC 0 (0) Vs. Fernhill 6 (3)

A game probably best forgotten by the Rangers after a very below par display from most if not all players. Sometimes things just don’t work and this was one of those days.

Three goals in each half saw Fernhill dominate the game, however we failed to take our chances early on in the game which may have changed the outcome.

Coming back from 3 goals down at half time was a big ask – we played a little better – but no nearly enough to cause them any problems.

1. Robert Appleby
2. Sam Bell
3. Brad Innes
4. Anthony Oliver
5. Alan Appleby
6. Marty Luskan
7. Ben Zentrich
8. Richard Astone
9. Brent Wilson
10. John McCreary
11. Jason Zakara
12.Dante DeGori (for Ben Zentrich)
13.Ben Christiansen (for Jason Zakara)
14.Paolo Cicero (for Brent Wilson)
15.Daniel Lewis

Goal(s): No Goals
Cards: No Cards

Division One (Reserve Grade)
Picton Rangers 2 (2) – 2 (3) Balgownie Rangers
Richard Astone 2 goals, Dale Schmid 1 goal

Very warm conditions at Hume Oval greeted the Bally Rangers and with Picton 2 from 2, this was going to be a tough game.

Bally started well and enjoyed a good amount of possession early, however some lacklustre displays in midfield and defence saw Picton have a few chances early on – with Apples Snr in goals making a great full stretch save to his left.

Bally got on the scoresheet first with Travis Faulks delivering a sublime cross which Rich Astone volleyed in from 18 yards after 25 minutes. Five minutes later Rich chalked up another goal after Zak unselfishly laid one off for Rich to slot home. Picton were equal with 5 mins to go before halftime after a rapid fire succession of goals – the result of some very lazy midfield and defence.

The second half saw Benny C change things up a bit with Dante coming off and Brent coming on up front. A few midfield changes saw Bally more composed  although Picton also stepped things up attacking a little more however Bally’s defence was solid. The game was won when Brent Wilson played a short cross to Dale on the edge of the Picton box and Dale  made no mistake placing it in the top corner. A few more chances went begging for both sides, with Apples Snr in goals making two more crucial saves late in the game. Pete Lukin worked tirelessly in the middle of the park all game and Dale never seemed to stop running up front.

Good win for the boys.

BRFC Team
1. Robert Appleby
2. Sam Bell
3. Brad Innes
4. Dante DeGori
5. Alan Appleby (c)
6. Richard Astone
7. John McCreary
8. Peter Lukin
9. Dale Schmid
10. Travis Faulks
11. Jason Zakara
12. Brent Wilson (on for Dante)
13. Marty Luskan (on for Travis)
14. Ben Christiansen
15. Ben Zentrich (on for Brad)

Reserve Grade Result sponsored by:

Illawarra Wire Ropes and Industrial Timber Services

Round 20

Judy Masters Oval

Balgownie Rangers F.C. 3-1 Ruse F.C.

(HT: 2-0)

Squad – GK: D.Bone, SW: A. Appleby, CB: S. Bell, CB: P. Giraldi, RM: P. Cicero, CM: J. Winner, CM: J. Zakara, CM: F. Timpano, LM: L. Buckley, ST: M. Perre, ST: H.Ayoub.

Subs – J.Waters, M. Luskan

Goals – H. Ayoub, M. Perre, J. Zakara

Reserve Grade Result sponsored by:

Illawarra Wire Ropes and Industrial Timber Services

Round 19

Hume Oval

Picton Rangers F.C. 0-1 Balgownie Rangers F.C.

(HT: 0-0)

Squad – To Be Added

Subs – To Be Added

Goals – J.Zakara