2006 reserve cup win

'MAGNIFICENT' RESERVES DO THE DOUBLE !!
24 / 9 / 2006

INGLE Farm Reserves capped a magnificent season by defeating previously undefeated SAASL 1st Division Reserves Champions Elizabeth Downs 2 - 0 in the Reserve Cup Final at Grange today.

Ingle Farm's 2006 Reserves team will go down in club history as the 1st ever winners of any kind of Cup competition for the club.

The Reserves have now completed the league and cup double, another first for the club and confirms season 2006 as Ingle Farm's most successful in its 33 year history.

The big win brought about furious celebrations back at "Club Farm" where singing was the order of the day as players, coaches and supporters celebrated long and hard into the night.

 

MATCH REPORT:

2006 RESERVE CUP FINAL
ELIZABETH DOWNS vs INGLE FARM
LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS - GRANGE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th, 2006

Ingle Farm Reserves are the best Reserves team going around in the Amateur League. The super-impressive outfit today completed a quite incredible season when they knocked off Sunday Division 1 Reserves Champions, Elizabeth Downs, 2 - 0 in the Reserve Cup Final at Grange today.

This result completes the league and cup double for Farm's Reserves, a quite outstanding season which has seen them lose just one match since May 7th this year. Since then, the team has won an incredible 16 matches from 18 starts.

Farm last week received news that key playmaker, Vahid Rahmani, would be suspended for the final after receiving his fourth yellow card in the semi final against Flinders Uni. It was a cruel and nasty blow for the midfielder, who has been brilliant for Farm all season.

Sadly, Rahmani was replaced by Graham Elrick, who lined up in the centre of midfield. Club veteran Peter King was also under an injury cloud with tight hamstrings and he had to be left on the bench for the start.

In windy conditions, Downs had the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half. The tight and tough game saw few chances created both teams adjusted to the difficult conditions.

In the 10th minute Farm nearly scored against the gale when Jarrad Rich delivered a terrific cross that Elrick narrowly headed wide from 6 yards.

Against the wind, Farm's defense was under the pump. Jason Keep and Duy Tran were doing a terrific job for the team holding Downs out, while Peter Bria and Jarrad Rich were causing the Downs defense trouble when going forward.

Downs reacted in the 30th minute when the ball was headed onto the top of the crossbar after some lackluster Farm defending allowed the chance.

Farm were dealt another cruel blow when its other regular central midfielder, Mark Faulkner, injured his calf and had to be replaced with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Faulkner was replaced by bustling Andy Lynn who took position in the midfield.

Farm did very well to keep the score 0-0 during the first half. Goalkeeper Michael Francken was again having a sound game for the team thwarting all Downs could throw at his goal. Trevor Bradbrook, Sean Robertson, Keep and Tran all defended stoutly and gave little away.

Halftime: Elizabeth Downs 0 Ingle Farm 0.

The second half also opened evenly. Both teams enjoyed periods of possession as the two teams arm-wrestled to get on top. Neither team created any clear cut chances early in the second half.

In the 65th minute a Farm long ball into its forward third was almost glanced into his own net by a Downs defender as the ball flew past the Downs keeper and hit the face of the upright and rebounded out for a corner.

In the 68th minute, Farm coach Brian Toomer played his ace when he brought on Peter King for tiring Graham Elrick. King immediately made an impact in the midfield as he got right into the game setting up play, driving Farm forward with method.

A flurry of corner kicks followed as Farm tightened the screw on Downs. Jarrad Rich came more into the match and it was his piece of individualism that led to Farm's opening goal.

Rich's 25 metre long throw surprised the Downs defense, who were unable to scramble the ball clear frpm its own 18 yard box as Farm's Peter Bria stepped in to slam the ball home from 5 yards. 1-0 to Farm.

Minutes later, Peter King put a terrific through ball for Rich to be one on one with the keeper. Rich's super finish from an acute angle drove the final nail into the Maroon coffin as Farm's lead was unassailable at 2-0 with only minutes remaining. This was Rich's 24th goal of the season for the Reserves this season in what has been a magnificent effort by the young striker.

Farm held Downs out for the remaining minutes to record a sensational victory. Finally the referee brought the match to a close before Farm supporters, players, support staff and coaches swarmed the pitch and began to celebrate.

Jubilant Farm Reserves Coach Brian Toomer said of the game "It was a tough first half against the wind, our lads defended brilliantly to go in 0-0."

"In the second half, we put the Downs under a lot of pressure, which led to us scoring through Peter Bria."

"For Ingle Farm Reserves, the Division 2 Champions, to overcome Elizabeth Downs, the undefeated Division 1 Champions, is a superb result.""Credit must go to all members of the Reserve team squad. We were worthy winners today."

Toomer's head was a fiery red later in the night as players and coaches took turns in drinking an unknown concoction from the cup itself. The celebrations back at the club was something to behold as players drank, sang and danced in a party atmosphere.

Best players for Farm included Jason Keep, Duy Tran, Jarrad Rich, Sean Robertson, Peter Bria and Trevor Bradbrook.

Final score: Elizabeth Downs 0 Ingle Farm 2.