-WALK ON WATER-

HOTSPURS HERALD

Volume 9, 2002

Albury Hotspurs v Benalla – Sunday, June 9, 2002

RESERVES

YEAR 2002 – Part I

The team has started off the season in stellar form, with a record of 8 Wins, 2 Losses and a Draw. The first game of the season was a night match against Benalla. A comfortable 6 – 0 victory was the perfect start the team was looking for. Scorers in the game were Jim Brodie with 1, Mick Corkett with 2 and Peter Gunning who picked up the first hat trick of the year.

Four days later the team was again on the winners list with another fine performance against Wodonga Panthers. The Result was 3 – 1 with Wayne McCloskey netting his first for the season and Peter Gunning again in fine touch picking up the other 2 goals. If not for a plethora of missed opportunities, the score could have looked a lot more impressive.

The next week saw the Spurs play their first home match for the year against last season’s champions, Diamonds. In a tough encounter the team finished the match with a 1 all draw. Josh Evans scored the goal, but the man of the match award was deservedly presented to Jono Corkett in goals who made some brilliant saves and kept Spurs in the game.

The next 2 weeks would prove to be the toughest so far as we first traveled to Wangaratta and then hosted Twin City. The team suffered the first loss of the season losing 5 – 2 to Wangaratta. It was a disappointing match and was perhaps the worst performance in several seasons by the reserves team. The 2 goals were scored by Mick Corkett and Jim Brodie. The next week saw some improvement over the previous week but another loss resulted, this time going down 3 – 1 to Twin City. Peter Gunning again was on the scorers sheet, with Hamish Crawford playing a solid game at the back.

The next game was on the Wednesday night against Lavington Panthers. With a new look forward line of Wayne McCloskey and Justin Wild, the Spurs started a winning streak that is yet to end. McCloskey netted a hat trick and Wild picked up the other goal in a 4 – 1 victory. Perhaps the best performers of the game was the entire backline consisting of Hamish Crawford at sweeper with Will Schwarz, Warwick Hooper, and Keiron Patten doing the marking jobs.

The next Sunday we played SS&A Boomers and won 4 – 1. Goal Scorers were Wayne McCloskey, Justin Wild, Peter Gunning and Aaron West who scored his first goal for the club. It was a great team performance with the midfield working tirelessly throughout the match.

Albury United was the next team to suffer a defeat at the hands of the Spurs team. In a close match, again it was the superior work rate of the Spurs midfield and our relentless defence combination that gave us the result. Peter Gunning scored a fine goal while Dean Twist played a great game and scored the match winner. Josh Evans had a brilliant game in goals with several fine saves. The final result was 2 – 1.

The match against St. Pats was a brutal affair, with several cheap shots at our players by the opposition. To Spurs credit we maintained our composure and went on to win 2 – 0. Aaron Pearce played his best match of the season scoring both goals, one of which was a 30 yard shot which easily beat the St. Pats keeper. Once again the defence led by Hamish Crawford was solid. Aaron West, Jim Brodie, Tom Crossley, James Ricketts and Daniel Fish were outstanding in the middle of the park.

The following week we hosted Myrtleford, a game we won 2 – 0. Peter Gunning again found the back of the net with his striking partner Wayne McCloskey picking up the other goal. Josh Evans in goals had another good game as did Hamish Crawford who seems to relish playing against opponents twice his size.

The latest result for the team was another good one. Playing Benalla in Benalla can always be difficult, but to the teams credit we came away with a 5 – 1 victory. Once again Peter Gunning made the most of his opportunities, scoring all 5 goals, which was down on last year’s performance, where Gunning netted 8 of the 9 goals we scored.

So at the half way mark in the season, the team is 3^rd on the ladder and has set themselves up for a great finish to the season.

Seniors v Benalla won 6-1

A very good finish to the game after a slow start and only leading at half time by two goals to one. Robert continues to impress with another hat trick and showed great determination the whole game. All players preformed well with special mention to Harro on a fine game at the back. Other goals were scored by Darrel with the head and Nick Chapman scored his first senior goal as he showed his determination and power to shrug of the defender and send the ball home. This was one of those games where we have faulted in the past, so it was pleasing to get such a good result and with the other top side in the comp not winning the Spurs have jumped from fourth spot four points behind the leaders to second place on the ladder just two points from the lead. So every game we play now and win may give us the top spot on the table so we need to play every game from now on with that in mind and make sure we get the results we are looking for.

Senior ladder (dose not include Wednesday night 5^th June matches)

Team	P	GD	Pts
Wodonga Diamonds	9	22	22
Albury Hotspurs	9	16	20
Albury United	9	17	19
Lavington Panthers	9	1	18
Wangaratta City	10	2	17
Twin City Wanderers	9	8	16
St Patricks	10	1	13
Albury City	9	4	12
SS&A Boomers	8	-6	11
Wodonga Panthers	9	-7	11
Myrtledford Savoy	9	-9	7
Benalla Rovers	10	-21	2
Murray/Cobrum United	10	-28	2

Ladies v Benalla won 14-0

As many goals as raindrops...well, nearly! And keeping with tradition, most of them came in the second half. Goals, that is.

Great composure was shown by Benalla against some fine Hotspurs attack, but the combination of Hotspurs consistency and an adventurous Benalla goalkeeper led to the overwhelming result. Go team!

Thirds v Benalla drew 2-2

Should have won this one. The game starts when the Ref. blows his whistle - hopefully next time we will all be paying attention! Benalla scored after ten seconds - our first touch was Rhys picking the ball out of the net! Despite our tragic start we played quite well. Hugh, Rhys and Josh worked very hard. Two great goals from Peter. I think we will win this weekend.

Under 14s vs Benalla - won 12-0

A wonderful result!! We started off really well and we maintained our form for the whole game. Goals to Matty Paynter (1), Mitch (1), David (1), Ben (2), Briggsy (7). After half time Jake replaced Mark in goals and Mark had a great half in mid-field. Thanks to Jake for going in goals for the second half. Great games by Daniel , Kurtis, Sam, Finny, and finally Seato who had many attempts at goal but just couldn't get one in. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!

Draw For Sunday, June 16

Hotspurs V Lavington Panthers at HOME all teams play

except 15 Girls have the BYE

Nines V Twin City at Home at 1.10pm on Saturday

DUTY TEAM for this Sunday: Fifteens

BON VOYAGE

Nathaniel Gray will be heading overseas after this Sunday’s game. Nat will be spending time in Europe before returning to attend uni next year. Nat has played with Hotspurs since he was 8 and has been a fantastic club member. He has represented Albury-Wodonga on many occasions and everyone who knows Nat recognises what a gentleman he is. Best wishes Nat and safe travelling!

REMEMBER TO GET YOUR PIE ORDERS IN THIS WEEK TO YOUR MANAGER OR IAN BELGRE OR BRYAN SEATON.

Newsletter

Match reports or any items for the newsletter can be handed to Kelvin Davies on the Sunday,

or E-mailed to kelkel@tpg.com.au by Monday 7pm

The Hotspurs Herald is published weekly by thekels Sponsored by Embroidery Creations Ph: 6041 2988