ROUND 15
PARAFIELD GARDENS vs INGLE FARM
BRADMAN OVAL
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10TH, 2008

A TEAM MATCH REPORT

On a very cold and wet day, the Farm ventured down the Gardens for what some were predicting to be a nail bitter. The C’s and B’s games had been cancelled due to poor pitch conditions and the Gardens were doing everything in there apparel to make the pitch up to standard to play on.

Farm, well and truly pumped after a form slump in previous weeks, were fired up for a win from the kick off. Captain Ennis had the boys tuned and ready to go before the kick off.

The Farm went with the wind, hoping the pitch conditions would hold up for 45 minutes to allow them to play football. Thankfully the footballing gods were certainly on their side as they played the best 45 minutes of football we had seen in a long time.

The Gardens kicked off and the Farm pounced straight on the ball. The Farm settled quickly as they moved the ball fluently between each other, Chris Groom was fired up for his return to his old club and was moving very well and getting plenty of the ball. His touch was certainly making it difficult for the Gardens.

The game was little then 4 minutes gone when Anthony Ragazzo picked up the ball wide and hammed a cross that deflected off a few players and into the back of the net. Although Zorro took the credit some say Dave Ennis got the last touch but the ref awarded the goal to Regazzo. 1-0 to the Farm.

The early goal buckled the Gardens as they tried to put few passes together, but the Farms continuous pressure was winning the ball and injecting great balls for the strikers to run onto. This was resulting in some miss timed tackles by the Gardens that resulted in a few early yellow cards early on.

The Farm were running havoc when Jarrod Rich was fouled in what appeared to be no mans land on the wing in the 11th minute. Chris Ennis stepped up, and with the help of the wind, his cross turned into a some what shot that Gardens keeper Matt Peace could not handle and he miss cleared the ball into the net. 2-0 to the Farm, they were well and truly coasting with just under 11 minutes played in the game.

The Farm was pilling on the pressure and in the 19th minute, Jarrod Rich  would sweep in a cracking corner which found the free Chris Groom in the box to header home, 3-0 to the Farm and wasn’t Groomy fired up about that goal.

In the 24th minute, Groom found him self free in the 18 yard box, were he rounded Gardens keeper Matt Peace and shot the ball goal bound before Foatey pulled of a cracking one hand save that Rob Greenwood would be very envious of. Unfortunately Foate was not the keeper and was immediate red carded. Although Simmo was screaming for Staltari to take the penalty, Groom selfishly took the ball and struck the penalty virtually straight at Matt Peirce, who saved the ball with his legs. Simmo let out a huge yell of disgust but Groom would make amends almost immediately after the miss, when  great play between Dave Ennis and himself found him free into the box to hammer the ball across goal and into the net. 4-0 to the Farm with 29 minutes played on the clock and a double for Groomy.

The next 15 minutes would see a barrage of attacks from the Farm with shots narrowly missing the target, the Farm could have easily walked in 6 or 7 up at half time.

The half time break allows the Gardens to reflect on the first half and make 3 changes to hopefully inject some spirit into the game and from the kick off appeared to be a different team. Mat Peirce, Shane Golder and a defender were dragged for there poor first half performances. The Gardens seems a better side from the kick off as they used the wind well. The Farm seem to be a little complaisant with the big lead and lost a lot of shape as players were running out of position to attack. This left holes for the Gardens to run into when the ball was over turned, fortunately the Farm were able to track back and plug the holes.

The Gardens would finally get a goal back when the Gardens received a some what dubious free kick 35 yards outside the box. If it was any other player, the angle and distance would not have been an issue for any keeper and defence to clear, but Mohomad from the Gardens is a different kettle of fish as he thundered a 35 yard strike onto goal low and hard. The wet conditions made it difficult for Greenwood to hold the ball as the rebound fell to a Gardens striker who tapped it into the net. 4-1 to the Farm with plenty of football to play.

The Farm would not drop there heads as they would start to string some very good passes together. Regazzo was substituted for Jones who would come on and inject some pace for the Farm. The Farm midfield were working hard to create chances for the Farm. Jones would be put through for a one on one which he finished well to only find out that he was flagged for offside. The duck was not off your back yet Jonesy, but his time would come to roost very soon.

The Farm was in titillating form as the ball was pinning around, the Gardens were left chasing shirts as the Farm charged at goal time and time again. Eventually the Farm would score again as Jones was slipped through for a one-on-one that he tucked away very well, 5-1 to the Farm and a very relieved Jones.

Not long after Jones ice breaker, he would cleavery round the keep and thump the ball against the post as he had the hole goal open, to his defence it was on his wrong foot and a fair effort to get it on target from the angle.

The Gardens were having some attacking chances of there own but big Ennis, Staltari and Clarke were cleaning everything up that came there way. The Gardens would eventually score again through a corner as an unmarked Gardens player headed the ball into the net. 5-2 to the Farm.

That would be the Gardens last chance as the Farm continued the pressure for a sixth goal, unfortunately the ref blew the full time whistle.

A good victory by the Farm, for once luck went our way as we hope to continue this into the cup and up against the West in two weeks.

FINAL SCORE: Parafield Gardens 2 Ingle Farm 5

- Anthony Martini

ROUND 14
INGLE FARM vs ELIZABETH DOWNS
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3RD, 2008

FINAL SCORE: Ingle Farm 0 Elizabeth Downs 5

ROUND 13
PARA HILLS EAST vs INGLE FARM
PARA HILLS OVAL
SUNDAY, JULY 27TH, 2008

FINAL SCORE: Para Hills East 0 Ingle Farm 0

ROUND 12
INGLE FARM vs ELIZABETH VALE
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, JULY 13TH, 2008

Ingle Farm's hopes of winning its first ever Division 1 title took a massive nose dive today when it was beaten 3-1 at home by hardened Elizabeth Vale. Farm have now won only 2 of its past 6 league matches with just six more matches this season to turn its form slump around.

Farm again raised eyebrows by dropping talented Brad Donovan and Wade Dingle back to the Reserves for its biggest match of the season - both these lads scored in the Round 3 away 5-2 win over Vale. Staltari was unlucky to be benched for a poor first half last week against Lion. Ragazzo after a two match suspension returned as did Leon Hannessen and Adam Dunt.

Vale kicked downhill with a strong breeze in the first half and had the majority of the play. Despite Farm defending stoutly through the efforts of Chris Ennis, Alby Lynn, Leon Hannessen and Michael Clarke, Vale managed to threaten the Farm goal with two strikes that rattled the crossbar.

Firstly an angled shot hit the underside of the crossbar before being cleared in the 13th minute before a Vale free kick 25 yards out was struck by Chris Nicholls again onto the underside of the crossbar in the 25th minute.

The strong wind was making it difficult for Farm to attack up the hill, however in a gritty effort Farm managed several chances - one that caused controversy.

Late in the half Farm striker Torsten Rutter battled his way to be one on one with the goalkeeper who inexplicibally performed a diving save - by hand - some 25 yards out from goal. The referee however made a shocking decision to only book the Vale keeper for denying a clear goal scoring chance - the card HAD to be red.

Moments later that Vale keeper made a magnificent save to deny a rasping strike from Paul Jones to keep the game at 0-0 at half time.

Now kicking with a breeze that had weakened slightly, the opening 20 minutes of the second half was dominated by Farm. The team pushed and pushed for the opener but did not really threaten the Vale goal.

Vale relied on the break and took a shock lead when a good run up the right saw the ball crossed where Vale captain Tim Crawford made a fine run to flick the ball around Farm keeper Robbie Greenwood in the 66th minute. 1-0 to Vale.

The goal pumped up the visitors and 5 minutes later they brilliantly struck again. A superb swerving rocket flew into the top corner of Greenwood's net from fully 30 yards. 2-0.

Four minutes later Farm were offered a repreive when a clumsy challenge inside the 18 yard box saw a penalty awaded to the home team. Chris Ennis reluctantly took the resulting spot kick only to see it brilliantly saved by that keeper again.

Three minutes later another penalty to Farm when Adam Dunt headed onto the post where Dave Eggers followed up well before being shoved off the ball for another clear spot kick. This time substitute Staltari broke a three year goal drought for the club by tucking the kick away. 2-1.

With 5 minutes remaining in the game, the deserving Vale found a third when midfielder Eric Ainsworth ended a horrific week for him personally with the passing of his father to smash home the winner that settled it from 30 yards. It was another magnificent strike into the top corner - giving Farm keeper Greenwood no hope at all.

So 3-1 it ended in a most disappointing game for the home club and its league aspirations in tatters with many tough games to come.

Coach Simpson later said "(It was) a far better performance this week but our inability to create clear cut chances cost us."

His best players were Torsten Rutter, Dave Eggers and Alby Lynn.

Final score: Ingle Farm 1 Elizabeth Vale 3.

Robbie Bell

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B TEAM MATCH REPORT

ROUND 12
INGLE FARM vs ELIZABETH VALE
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008

It was back to Walkley park for the visit of Elizabeth Vale on a wild and woolly day this weekend and we had the inclusion of Brad Donovan and Wade Dingle to bolster our already big squad. Both started along with Groom, Lara, Ennis and Lynn in a strong line up.

The wind was always going to cause both teams problems and we elected to go up hill against the wind in the 1st half and almost immediately we were a goal down, a Vale goal kick got caught up in a gust of wind and fell well short of its expected target, the flick on and first time hit cross field ball both flew with the wind and ended up with a two man chase towards our goal, the Vale striker got to it first and hit a first time shot with the wind which screamed past Francken who had little or no chance of stopping it. It was disappointing but also hard to defend against especially this early on as both teams were adapting to a high swirling wind.

We got straight back on the saddle though and for the next 20 minutes we ran all over Vale with some brilliant play along the ground from Faulkner, the Lara brothers, Groom, Ennis, Lynn and the excellent Donovan and Dingle.

It was a link up between our midfield and strikers which gave us the equaliser just 2 minutes after the opening goal. Groom, Lynn and Lara combined before Fernando threaded a brilliant ball to Ennis who was tripped inside the box for a penalty. Fernando stood up to take the spot kick making no mistake 1-1.

A mere 7 minutes later we took a deserved lead, Donovan was creating chances with great play down the left wing and his balls into the box were superb, Dingle and Lara revelling in the service. Faulkner and Donovan played a lovely one two from midfield and Donovan played a great ball into the path of Dingle who calmly slotted the ball into the net 2-1.

We continued to play as good a game of possession football as I've seen all year, quick thoughtful play that was giving Vale all sorts of problems, Ennis, Faulkner, Lynn and Dingle were carving up the Vale defence and only great saves from the keeper kept the score down but with 10 minutes to go in the half Dingle was caught with a very late tackle from behind inside the area, the ref didn't see it and unfortunately he had to leave the pitch for treatment. It was a shame for Wade as he had been fired up for the game and was showing the form that brought him to Walkley Park in the summer, he didn't let me, the team or himself down and its sad that the defender had to resort to this to stop him from playing.

As the half ended with us making a forced substitution Vale caught us napping and got an un-deserved equaliser.
The ball was played with the wind again down the right wing, the ball in to the box was not tracked back and we conceded a second goal. Half Time 2-2
 
Again we made some changes at half time and took the game right up to Vale and from the moment we kicked off there was only going to be one winner, we used the conditions better than Vale, and stepped up our intensity to finish the game off and within ten minutes we took the lead again. This time it was M.Lara who provided the killer ball down the wing to McGiven who played a ball into Donovan inside the box and he doesn't miss from that position, he neatly pushed the ball past the keeper to make it 3-2.

Rahmani came on for some game time and immediately hit the bar with a rasping volley to stake his claim for a strikers position in the cup game next week, he is arguably one of the clubs most skilful players and he was desperate to show us all his tricks.

15 minutes after our 3rd goal and the unfortunate Keep had to come off due to a strain, the game was ours as we were playing keep ball and searching for the next opening as Keep signalled over that he was sore, I decided to take him off to get him treatment asap and after a quick re-shuffle we continued to dominate the game with ten men.

With ten minutes left we increased our lead, another free kick in the midfield was played quickly by Faulkner into Rahmani who had darted into space, he found Groom in acres of space who like Donovan doesn't miss chances like this and he made it 4-2. Great thinking from the two lads who created the space and great play from Faulkner to play it on quickly.

The game petered out but not before Groom was trying his luck with a bicycle kick on the edge of the six yard box, he tries one of the these every now and then and when he connects its game over, his time he didn't but its great to see someone with so much skill and guile on the ball to play with such confidence. Full Time 4-2.

It was pleasing the get the result the way we did today, Vale played a very robust style of football and we matched them all over the park. The two lads who came to me from the first team played with spirit and desire I had hoped they would and they didn't let themselves down after what must have been a disappointing week for them.

What made our gutsy performance even more rewarding was finding out the our closest rivals lost, this has given us a 3 point cushion which we don't intend to lose. Every player played his part again today and even with ten men I never thought we would lose this one, the team has gelled into the formation many thought they would never adapt to and they are a strong unit going forward and defending.

Selection is always an issue and with players who can play in a variety of roles comfortably I take each game and each line up very seriously, thinking about the opposition and our strengths and the conditions. It would be unfair to name certain players as outstanding, it was a team effort and we look forward to the cup next week.  

I've said it before and I mean it, its a real priviledge to coach and work with these boys week in week out and I take a moment every week just to enjoy the game the same way some of our supporters do, I appreciate people telling me they enjoy what we do and how we go about things and I hope for Pop Newton, Ron Sparks, Paul Lenarczyk, Paul Hurst, Ted Beck and Robbie Patterson, people that have been at the club for years and help me and the the team out week after week that we can give them something to cheer about come the end of September.

Thanks again boys

Billy Graves

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C TEAM MATCH REPORT

ROUND 12
INGLE FARM vs ELIZABETH VALE
WALKLEY PARK
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008

The C1’s would host Elizabeth Vale C’s in the return encounter at Walkleys Park. When the two sides previously met, it was a stalemate 2-2 draw which the Farm dominated for large patches on the game, but after going 2-0 down was able to fight back for a draw. This was the top of the table clash as both team sat 3rd and 4th on 22 points.

The return encounter would definitely be a different affair. With many A’s and B’s players returning from injury, the C1’s would enjoy an injection of players it would need if it was to improve from its pitiful performance from the previous week.

Unfortunately three players pull out Sunday morning which meant the side was left with one reserve and Anto frantically trying to get in touch with Shannon ‘Schmikel” Baxter to go in goals.

With Shannon able to fill in the sticks for us, Anto picked a team that he felt would do the business. Still with there previous encounter in his mind, he positioned players were he felt the Vale would be exposed in height and speed.

Both teams started the game well with Vale and the Farm knocking the ball around very well, but it was the Farms experienced players that settled quickly. It would not be soon before the Farm would take control of the game and created several chances. Sando and Dave were getting into the groove on the wings while Elrich and Jas started to control the game in the middle. The Farm defence and midfield was working well together and playing good balls for the strikers. Vinnie would get the first chance of the game in the 9th minute through a free kick from Jamie that found Vionnie free in the box, the shot resulted in a good save from the keeper.

Vinnies time would come and the break through came in the 10th minute when a wonderful timed through ball by Elrick found the over 35’s super striker/coach Vinnie Evans free in the box who had little to do except tuck the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 to the Farm and a well deserving lead.

From the kick off the Farm would take possession again the move the ball round well. The Farm defence was playing very well together as they encouraged each other to every defending encounter. Tim and Sando combined well in the 23rd minute and the resulting Sando cross to Elrick was well struck resulting in another good save by the keeper. The resulting corner by Jamie found Sando whose blistering volley from 18 yards out just missed the left hand post. The Farm were enjoying its 15 minutes of fame as they peppered the Vales goal constantly, other good strikes by Sando and Vinnie just missed as the Vale were lucky to keep it at 1-0.

In the 36th minute the Farm would finally get the deserving second goal, this time a solid run down the wing by Sando found Vinnie who hard hammered a cross went through the crowd and found Leo lurking at the back post for a easy tap in, 2-0 to the Farm.

The Farm were cruising at this time and creating many chances, which the Vale keeper was doing well to keep out the ball out of his net. Elrich and Walker were running relentlessly in the middle of the park while the defence of Jamie, Brenton Tim and Tom was defending very well. Sando and Dave were running hard on the wings while Vinnie and Leo were moving well upfront.

The third goal would came in the 38th minute when Elrich would pick the ball in the middle of the park only to be hacked by the Vale midfielder from about 30 yards out. Jamie would step up and us the blistering wind to blast the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net, 3-0 to the Farm.

That would be the last chance for the Half.  A good first half by the boys, especially Brenton who had shut down the very skilful striker who killed us last time. Not forgetting how the Vales fitness prevailed against us last time, the defence were instructed to play a different game to control the ball as the Vale had the wind and the down hill to play with.

The second half started off very similar as the first, but the Vale this time settled quicker and were starting to create some chances of the own. Shannon was reading the through balls well and picking them up the Vales striker’s feet. Once the Farm settled they started to play patches of good football and create some good chances. The Vale were resulting to long balls which was easily being picked up by the Farm as the ball would rebound into a string of Farm attacks.

In the 59th minute the Vale would be warded a penalty for a blatant hack in the box. The resulting spot kick had shads of “Buffon” Martini’s penalty save the previous week as Shannon pulled of a great one foot save to stop the Vales hammered shot from going scoring. Great save by Shannon to add to his very solid half.

The two teams would enjoy end to end football and it would not seem the Vale could break the solid Farm midfield and defence. A wonder 40 yard striker in the 66th minute, with the assistance of the wind  saw a thunder bolt shot into the top left hand corner of the net. Unstoppable strike and a great goal to the Vale. 3-1 to the Farm.

The Super striker would boost the Vale as they then would enjoy some patches of good football,  the goal seemed to inspire them into an attacking frenzy. The Farm sat back soaking the pressure and mounting several quick breaks which had the Vale keeper pull off some good saves.

The remainder of the half was good end to end football which could have seen both teams score another goal or two, but the Farm prevailed and the ref blew the whistle for full time for a 3-1 win to the Farm

The result meant the Farm jump to top as other results went there way. A great performance by the lads today, hopefully we can continue this type of football for the remainder of the season.

Anthony Martini

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C2 TEAM MATCH REPORT

ROUND 11
GREENOCK TOWN vs INGLE FARM C2
GREENOCK OVAL
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008

The C2 side GOT LOST on their way up for the match. A practice match was played with the players that were there.

FORFEIT - 2-0 loss for Farm C2

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D TEAM MATCH REPORT

ROUND 9
DADS ARMY BYE
**************
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008

BYE