Premier League
With a number of absences in the Reserve Grade ranks, a forfeit was looking like it was on the cards for the Camden Haven Redbacks, as they travelled to Taree this past Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It would have been easy to walk away and focus on the First Grade game at hand, but a number of first graders stepped up, fielding five on-field vacancies and filling the bench – a total of seven players backing up for both matches.
With a full squad, the Redbacks were competitive against the home squad. Jason Balaam, returning after knee re-construction, was a major threat to the Taree defence, scoring two goals for the Redbacks. Redbacks’ Daniel Morgan was solid in goals and unlucky to see two scored against him. The final score of 2-2 a very positive result, given the uncertainty the team faced coming into the game. Full credit to all players who stepped up and showed up, playing with their heart and souls.
That same grit and determination was evident as the First Grade team took to the field. With Shannon Ravoul, Toby Otto, Ben Maikin and Riley Jude all backing up from a full game in Reserve Grade, the game was certainly going to be a test of fitness.
The first half saw an evenly balanced match, with neither side able to score, and neither side dominating. An injury to Aiden Shaw though late in the first half, saw Scott Witchard, another of the players who'd already played a full game, come on. With fresh legs few and far between, the enormity of two games in one afternoon began to show for the Redbacks.
The second half saw a penalty awarded to Taree after a bad bounce inside the box led to an unintentional handball by Redbacks’ captain Ryan Squires. Not too long later, a second penalty was awarded to Taree, giving them a 2-0 lead.
Despite the courage of the Redbacks, the final 20 minutes of game time saw fatigue get the better of them and Taree securing three more goals. A goal to Maikin late in the second half, although doing little to change the end result, was testament to how hard the side had fought all afternoon.
Player of the match was tied between four players, Lochie Swan, Jaryd Shaw, Ryan Squires and Ben Maikin – a great indication of the teamwork put in by all players.
Coach Jim Tredinnick was incredibly proud of the side.
"When things are not going well, that is the time to knuckle down. It's easy to throw in the towel and become a victim of negative feelings and behaviour. Hard work, self-discipline and team work in adversity are the measures of real worth, not winning easy. We saw a good example of true grit today," he said.
Over 35’s
It was another courageous effort from the Camden Haven Redbacks Over 35’s squad last week, as they took on Port United in the final match of the first round of games.
With only ten men to take to the field, primarily due to a number of injuries, against United’s full squad plus four on the bench, the focus appeared to be on survival and minimising injuries, as opposed to victory. With last week’s dual goal scorer Wayne Squires serving a one match suspension from an incident in his 2014 retirement match, the expectation for goals was minimal.
However, it was the Redbacks who came out firing, with Ryan Barker making a great run just 10 seconds into the match. Having beaten the defence, and with just the keeper to face, the crowd, triple the size of the opposition’s, were on their feet, with anticipation of the greatness which was about to follow. However at the pivotal moment just seconds before what would have been an amazing goal, Barker was taken out and United were saved.
With the remaining nine Redbacks undeterred by the sniper (and Barker seemingly uninjured after an extended stay on the ground), the Redbacks kept firing. As with previous weeks, Josh Tomasone weaved his magic, through the United defence, finishing his run off with a perfect cross, which was unfortunately just missed by the leaping head of Brian Barry.
Forced into action by the skilled Redbacks attack, United unleashed a barrage of their own. A free kick awarded to United was well bounced away by keeper Scott Mullins, but some confusion in the box, and commitment by United saw the ball find the back of the net, and the score at 1-0 just ten minutes in.
Redbacks fired back almost immediately, when despite a late tackle, Simon Hancox managed to get a great ball away for Barry, who was unlucky not to score when his shot sailed just wide.
Moments later though, it was United who was back on the attack, when a second free kick was awarded. To the credit of United, the kick was perfectly placed, curling around the courageous men in the wall, and into the top far corner of the goal. With scores at 2-0, and the clock only just past 10 minutes, it seemed as though any brilliance from the Redbacks was done with.
Being 2-0 down though seemed to work in the Redbacks’ favour. Whilst United were riding a goal scoring high, Redbacks were concentrating on the game at hand, and beginning to showcase more and more of the abilities which had these men at the top of their game back in their day. A free kick awarded to Redbacks, taken by Tomasone, was unlucky not to find the net for the Havens.
Moments later it was defender Paul Windred who took his chance, with his shot sailing just over the bar. Finally though it was Tomasone who put the Redbacks on the board with a great shot on goal, and a much needed boost.
The goal rattled United, and as the team went into panic mode, the Redbacks continued to pressure. Tomasone seemed to be everywhere, with yet another cross unlucky not to find the net after Hancox tapped it just wide. Another cross minutes later was headed just over the Redbacks goal, whilst a free kick taken by Jose Ustariz from just inside half-way fell just short of the goal.
With United feeling the pressure, and unable to take back control, no matter how many subs they made, the game became intense for both teams. A high foot for Redbacks and a low head for United could have been the trigger which sent the game into chaos, but with the referee ruling play on, and both players shaking hands, it was a timely reminder that whilst competitive, this competition is primarily about fun and sportsmanship.
The half time break revitalised the weary legs of the Redbacks. The second half starting just where the first half left off, with both sides keen to take control.
Hancox led the charge for the Redbacks, unlucky not to score early on after a great challenge with the United goalie. Moments later Hancox was rewarded for his efforts, when a free kick from Matt Whatson was fumbled by the United keeper, and after an adimirable level of composure and patience which only a two-time grand final coach could demonstrate, Hancox slotted the ball away, levelling the scoreboard and giving the Redbacks the momentum.
The bulk of the second half saw plenty of frustration from both sides, as Redbacks were hungry for a win, and United desperate now just for a point.
After yet another tackle from behind on Tomasone, which had the crowd and players wondering if he’d been the victim of an old-fashioned ‘kick me’ sign, the Redbacks continued to make chances and threaten the goals. Finally, it was Hancox who set up the match winning goal for Steve, giving the Redbacks a 3-2 victory.
The Over 35’s now have a week off, with no competition for any team. The boys will be back on June 7 for their first home match of the year, when they take on Port Saints in Laurieton at 8pm.