Round 6: Macarthur Rams v's PCYC Parramatta

Our first comp game after Round 4 was washed out and the Easter Break saw the boys start very slowly against the competition leaders PCYC Parramatta. Parramatta created a number of opportunities in the first ten minutes and constantly put Macarthur under pressure in their own half. As a result of the continued pressure applied, it was not surprising to see Parramatta open the scoring in the 14 th minute. Parramatta extended their lead by 2 goals when an unmarked player received the ball to score in the 20 th minute. The boys responded to this set back to peg one back 5 minutes later through a fine goal by Deng. Our forwards were starting to be a real thorn in backside of Parramatta 's defence for the remainder of the first half but we were unable to get back on equal terms going to the half time break down 2-1.

The beginning of the second half was much the same as the end of the first half with the Rams taking the game to their opposition. After about 10 minutes of the second period Macarthur were boasted with the send off of a Parramatta defender. Using the extra player to their advantage, Macarthur maintained pressure on Parramatta and were unlucky not to have scored when a strike from Mathew Argeropoulos cannoned off the cross bar. The team continued to push for the equaliser and in the 65 th minutes the hard work by the team was rewarded through a long-range strike by Alex Morlando to draw Macarthur level with Parramatta . This was to be the final goal of the match with both teams playing out a 2-2 draw.

Although not playing to their potential, the boys again showed great courage to come back from 2 goals down to draw the match.

Round 5: Macarthur v's Blacktown Spartans

For the first time this season, the boys started the game where we were the dominant team from the opening whistle. In the first four minutes, Macarthur had two shots at goal that were on target. Although they were not threatening, the fact that the team started so well against Blacktown was encouraging. This was to be the state of play for the entire first half. Although Macarthur dominated the game, we were unable to get that first goal due to poor finishing and went to half time locked at 0-0.

The second half was much the same as the first where the Rams again dominated play from the whistle. However, this time it only took 2 minutes from the commencement of the second half for Macarthur to score through Josh Burns. The first time this season that the team had in fact scored the first goal of the match. The next 10 minutes saw the boys continually attack the Blacktown goal that could have resulted in a further 2-3 goals, unfortunately this was not to occur. As the game went on it became increasingly frustrating that we could not put Blacktown away as a result of the opportunities we had. However, in the 67 th minute our second goal finally came through Sam Perre to extend our lead to 2-0. A goal shortly after to Blacktown ensured the Macarthur supporters would have a few nerve minutes before the team recorded their first win of the season 2-1.

Round 4: Macarthur Rams v's Northern Tigers

This was a game that became very frustrating as the match went on.

Once again the team was very slow to start and this allowed our visitors to take control in the early stages of the first half. Slowly we came into the game but poor passing continuely restricted our momentum. Eventually we managed to create some opportunities but we again failed to convert them and therefore went to half time locked at nil all.

The second half was a repeat of the first where we again create changes but the ball just would not cross the line. Defencively this was our best effort to date where we kept a clean sheet for the first time, a very pleasing result for the team. The final score 0-0.

Although the season is only three rounds old, our next game against the Sydney Wanderers will be very important to kic k start our season after 2 draws and a loss. Looking forward to the next game for our first win.

Posted: 14 April 2009

Round 3: Macarthur Rams v's Central Coast Lightning

Our first game of the season saw a new look Rams U/15's team take on Central Coast Lightning at Plium Park . In a game that was end to end, Central Coast took advantage of a free kick out wide to take a 1-goal lead. Despite numerous opportunities, we were unable to prevent the opposition going to half time in front.

The second half did not start well for the boys with a misunderstanding in defence allowing Central Coast to extend their lead to 2 goals. However, the boys showed plenty of spirit over the next half an hour to take the game to our opposition. The break through for Rams came when Vince De Bellis scored our first goal of the season. This lifted the team greatly and we soon equalised through David Fagnani. Over the closing stages of the second half, the boys totally dominated the game however, they were unable to score that decisive goal. Over all, the 2-2 draw was a fine result away from home.

Posted: 14 March 2009

Round 2: Macarthur Rams v's Western Panthers

In our first home game of the season, the team welcomed the Western Panthers to Lynwood Park . This was a game that saw Western Panthers start the better of the two teams. However, it didn't take long before the Rams started playing. Both sides had opportunities in the first quarter of an hour. In the 20th minute Western Panthers took the lead but this was short lived when Deng Deng scored in the 23rd minute to equalise. The score line stayed at 1-1 for the remainder of the first half despite the game being end to end.

The second half was much the same as the first with either side giving an inch in a well-balanced game. Western Panthers capitalised on one of their few attacks to take the lead in the 49th minute. This only made the boys more hungrier and quickly looked to equalise. Try as hard as they did, the ball just would not go in with David going the closest in hitting the post. The loss of a Rams player in the 54th minute did not help the cause but the team refused to give in and continued their search for that second goal.

Despite the final score being 2-1 in favour of Western Panthers, the team continues to improve and when they finally click they will be very hard to beat.

Posted: 21 March 2009