Hot weather on Saturday meant that soccer grand finals at the Workers Arena had to be lengthened to take into account the need for mid half drink breaks. However unlike in past years the games did not go into extra time despite them all being closely contested matches.
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The first game at 10am between Crookwell and Stags Sky in the under 13 division two clash resulted in Crookwell’s first win of the day, three goals to two.
The division one game between Crookwell Griffins and Stags Blue was also tightly contested even though the score line may have suggested otherwise. There were some good goal saves by both keepers and plenty of end to end running with the Griffins netting four goals to Stags one. Crookwell striker Cameron Herd was named player of the match.
The under 15s grand final was played between Workers FC and Soldiers FC and it was always going to be a tough contest with the two teams being extremely competitive all season. Workers were first to score but Soldiers were not deterred there was strong mid field play and again both keepers, Andrew Craig for Soldiers and Michael Chintis for Workers had to be on their guard as both sides tried to penetrate the goals with long range shots.
Though Workers were ahead with the wind in their favour in the first half when Soldiers’ Sunny Zhang came on near half time it didn’t take him long to equalise the game at two goals all. In the trying conditions of the second half with the wind in their favour Soldiers forged ahead. Workers added a goal but Soldiers piled on four to win 6 to 3. Player of the match went to Liam Smith one of the Soldiers defenders, who made shooting difficult for the Workers strikers and cleared the ball well reversing the run of play.
Soldiers Green were lucky to hang on for a win the the All age men’s division two grand final against Marulan. Marulan’s keeper Jade Berrell made a couple of spectacular saves. Unfortunately Soldiers player Mark Harris was injured in the contest and required ambulance transport after injuring his hip but the paramedics assisted him to briefly participate in a photograph with his teammates to celebrate their 2 to 1 win. Nathan Price was awarded the Mike Ferris Player of the Match medallion.
Stags got up in the all age women’s game over Marulan in a closely fought game. At half time the score was nil all. It looked as though the game might go to extra time even though Stags had scored with about 15 minutes to go in the game. Several chances for Marulan went begging and they did not manage to equalise.
The game was marred by some poor spectator behaviour and abuse levelled at both officials and players. Organisers kept the situation from escalating. More information on the United representative teams soon.