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Soccer flag to Woy Woy

The Woy Woy Soccer Club has taken out the Central Coast Under 18A Championship decider with a 2-0 victory over minor premiers Avoca.

The game was played at Gosford's Central Coast Stadium on September 15.

Throughout the season, the Woy Woy team has shown numerous glimpses of its talent and determination, and Avoca were unlucky to meet opponents who produced 80 minutes of classy and focussed teamwork.

In their previous three encounters, Avoca had won two and Woy Woy one, but the premiership decider always seemed to be under the Peninsula side's control.

From the kick off, the enthusiastic crowd could see that the boys in Blue and White had not come just to make up the numbers.

Avoca's much vaunted strength in midfield was quickly nullified by the solid tackles and imaginative attacking play of the Woy Woy team.

A shrewd tactical move by coach Phil Butler saw Woy Woy start out with three strikers and three in midfield.

This threw confusion into Avoca's minds, and they never got their team adjusted to handle the pace and variety that Woy Woy threw at them.

Avoca were unfortunate to lose one of their key players to injury early in the game, but the way Woy Woy were playing no-one doubted what the final result would be.

Karl Smithers was "on song" in attack, and combined beautifully with Luke Aitken and Matt and Eric Mitchell to tear the Avoca defence to shreds.

These three had pace, skill and power and they revelled in the magnificent service they received from Eugene Forsberg, Ryan Thomas and "Blonde" Matt Mitchell in midfield.

Indeed, it was only 15 minutes into the game when Karl was put in the clear on the right side of the penalty area and his beautifully-struck shot left the Avoca keeper with no hope as it was fired into the back of the net.

As expected, Avoca never gave up and kept attacking throughout the game, but Woy Woy's defence, splendidly marshalled by sweeper Daniel James, kept their concentration and discipline, and dosed out their opposition's strikers.

Robbie Griffiths was magnificent in front of the inspirational full-backs, captain Saul Myers and Don Hughes.

On the rare occasion that they were beaten, David Cuddington was a tower of strength in goal, denying Avoca with two splendid saves.

The midfield soon became Woy Woy's territory, as Ryan and Eugene weaved their magic and Blonde Matt created havoc down the left.

In the 33rd minute, it was Matt who seized on David's long clearance and sent a superb cross into the penalty area for Karl to skillfully place his header over and beyond the keeper to give Woy Woy a healthy 2-0 lead at half time.

The statistics showed that the game was even, but the major difference was that Avoca had five shots at goal, three missing completely, while Woy Woy's six shots were all on target.

In the second half, Avoca threw everything into their efforts, but lacked the variety to disturb Woy Woy's defence.

They succeeded in breaking through early, but David was on hand to deny them with the "save of the season".

Both sides only managed one shot on target in this half, but the effort that both sides put in was magnificent.

Matt and Eric Mitchell almost created a magnificent goal out of nothing, only to see his powerfully-struck shot hit the post.

The forwards worked tirelessly supporting the midfield, chasing everything that came their way and shutting down Avoca's attacking moves before they could develop.

Throughout the games, Eugene, Ryan and Blonde Matt continued to entertain with their wonderful flair, but also showed they could be hard in the challenge.

With time starting to run out, Karl was given a well-earned rest and Joel Renyard was introduced to bring some new energy to the midfield.

Joel couldn't repeat his "first-touch-goal" of the elimination final, but he was straight into the action and set the tiring Avoca defence back on their heels with his pace, skill and enthusiasm.

With 10 minutes left, Phil introduced Blake Cansdale in place of the effervescent Luke Aitken with the instruction to "go out there and upset them".

As always, Blake didn't let the team down and did exactly what was asked of him, putting the opposition off their game with his persistence and willingness to contest every ball.

One splendid attacking move, involving Ryan, Matt Eric and Blake, was cruelly foiled by an unlucky slip, with the opposition defence in tatters.

Matt immediately ran 50 metres to make a powerful tackle that spoilt another opposition build-up.

Avoca launched two last raids down their left, but Don and Ryan calmly dispossessed them and played their way out of trouble, while Saul and Robbie tracked their opposition all over the field and denied them any clean possession, with timely inteceptions and strong tackles.

Anything that escaped them was mopped up by Daniel who was in total control of everything that came his way.

He never stopped exhorting his team mates to keep focussed and to go forward in search of more goals.

In the last few minutes "super sub" 15-year-old Scott Maiden was sent on to enjoy the moment and fittingly, the game ended with the ball in Woy Woy's control in the middle of the field.

Avoca were gallant and gracious in defeat, and both sides played the game in the best possible spirit.

The Grand Final trifecta was gained by the U16A Girls rampaging victory over Killarney District, Woy Woy's coach Gany Winner guiding them through a spectacularly successful season in which they joined the women's team as minor and major premiers.

Unfortunately the Under 12 girls lost their grand final 1-0, but some consolation was gained by Kelly Maiden's award for Best Central Coast U12 Player Of 2002.

The club presentation night was to be held at Woy Woy Leagues Club on Saturday, October 19

Aidan Cuddington, October 16