YEAR- 2003 NO.1 DATE 7th APRIL

__________________________________________________________________________________

Announcements/Reminders: The 2003 season started with great weather and some great results. This weeks games –all teams play (except sen.ladies) Myrtleford at Home

· Kick off at normal times

· Visit our great new website at www.alburyhotspurs.com.au

· Hotspurs Soccer Club sportswear is available to order from the canteen. Jackets, hats, beanies, polo shirts are all available with Hotspurs logo.

· All Match reports are to be submitted via e-mail to shorttail@austarnet.com.au by Monday 6.30pm

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Match Reports:

Seniors V SSA won 4-0. A solid start to the season. The seniors played well in patches, which was enough to beat our opponents. Ryan Giles, Robbie Tudor were the best in a good around team performance. Daniel Kannonberg scored twice in his first game for spurs and Luke Drummond was safe in goals.

Reserves Drew 2-2. The result wasn’t what got people talking after the match, it was Peter O’Riordan’s right-footed “lob” from some distance which hit the top left corner of the net in the dying minutes to earn us a draw after going one up from a Mick Corkett penalty, then 2-1 down. Solid performances from our 7 debutantes including Peter Robbie’s debut as Coach. MOTM (Man of the Mug) Peter O’Riordan (for goal of the year contender).

Senior Ladies Lost 0-4. Despite the score the girls played pretty well. Their opponents are a strong team and Spurs had a number of new players this season. Fiona Smith was great in goals, Emma played well in her first game as did Alex. Mia was strong in midfield, as was Melanie. This team will improve as the season moves on.

Thirds Lost 0-2. A depleted Thirds team battled hard and were unlucky not to get a better result. Briggsy worked very hard as did Pat. Will played committed game and Peter O led the team well. Thanks to all the guys who filled in so well.

U/14's Lost 6-1. Meeting last year's runners-up in the first match was never going to be easy. The game showed that our major weakness at the moment is lack of fitness. This meant that by half way through the second half players were walking when they should have been running. SS & A players were often unmarked close to our goal. As well, our players were not supported, as they should be. Four or five however, showed determination to the end. Special mention - Todd in goals for his outstanding saves, and Chris for some strong tackling.

U/13’s Drew 4-4. Welcome back for another soccer season. We have two knew players, welcome Karl Quarst and Jake VanDer Weyde to Albury Hotspurs Soccer Club.

Well what a game, wasn’t it. Well once again we lost concentration in the second half kids.

Still you all played a great game to start for the season off with Caleb scoring the first goal which was passed off by Aras then David scored which was passed off by Stuart. Our defence were great with Paddy, Zac, Jarrod giving SS&A some thing to work on. Our midfield were also great.

The total goals scored was Caleb 2, David 2. But there were tries by other kids.

SS & A come back in the second half to draw the match 4 all. I would like to welcome the U13`s new manager Wolfgang Toms’ dad, it’s been great being the manager over the years thank you all for your help especially my wife Neolene. Thank you Lester for doing the line, by for now.

U/12’s Won 8-2. After a couple of scratchy practice matches where the coaching panel experimented with positions, the team took to the park in a more settled pattern. After a lively pep talk from POD and “brains” they were fired up and didn’t let the punters down, producing some scintillating football.

The foundation of the match was set early with the rock solid defence and pinpoint passing of Jarrod, Liam and Chris, allowing the midfield to run the ball and stream forward with confidence. The “Hawk” in particular swooping early at right midfield and setting up countless attacks down the right side with Shaun. The whole team grew in confidence, and the attacks became relentless down both flanks. Shaun and Dan wearing out their boots crossing the ball. Whilst sitting in front were the predators, and then it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened.

Oliver and Shaun with three each, Dan and Kai with singles rounded out the eight goals we scored. Jono and James being unlucky after finding good position in front of goals. Great goal keeping by the SSA goalie denying Hotspurs a much greater score. Our own goalie in the first half, LOD, could have set up the deck chair and read the paper, such were his concerns.

Of the new boys making their debut, Nick was busy in the midfield setting up attacks and applying pressure on the opposition in the first half. In the second he played a good game in goals displaying plenty of courage in a couple of one on one situations. "Skull" Waters showed a no frills toughness at the ball and had plenty of the opposition looking.

U/11’s Lost 0 – 4. Against a very well organised team, our team played with enthusiasm. We generally tried to play our positions but got flustered a few times and forgot to mark players. It was a good first hitout for our team and there are a lot of good things to work from. Michael had a solid game in goal, Chris W. played well in an unfamiliar position, Paddy put in a full-on effort and James E. tried all day. Finally the restrained barracking from the sidelines was an example to all.
Player of the Week: Patrick Lloyd-Donald

U/10’s Won 10-1. A strong start to the new season for the under 10's who dominated play straight from the kick off. Our first goal was scored after only a minute when Daniel latched onto a great cross from Tyla. One of our new players Will added two more before the break with some powerful shooting. Half time 3-0

The second half was a good display of open attacking soccer with many opportunities created by our rampant midfield. The highlight of the game, a great individual goal to James Ellis who found the back of the net for his first career goal after a great solo run. Further goals were added by Tyla, Max, Sam and Daniel (3).

Once again our defence was almost impenetrable, only a momentary lapse let the opposition in for a consolation goal. Dylan, Will, Junior and Phillip all contributed strongly in their debuts. Another strong defensive performance by Ben, whilst Dominic, Tyla, and Max tore the SS&A defence to shreds with relentless ease, supplying chance after chance to our super strikers Sam and Daniel. A great start guys.

Other Results:

U/15’s Won 8-0 – Had a great result.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Sponsors: Termo Hotel Albury Attack Sports Overall Forge

Flash Home Maintenance Kooka Bros Kiewa Valley Engineering