Gosnells City Football Club

Gosnells City FC Semi-Professional Football

Our immediate aim for the SemiPRO's in 2010 is to win DIV 1 in style. Our method to achieve this goal is to approach every game with the right mental attitude and to make sure we are physically and technically prepared. Continual improvement in all facets of the game on and off the field is essential.

"Wanting to succeed is easy. Actually succeeding takes sacrifice, hard work and constant effort."

SemiPRO DIV 1 Night Series 2010 - Match Reports

Round 5 - Friday 5th MAR 2010. KO 7pm

Venue – Hartfield Park, Forrestfield

Having not conceded a single goal in three games we conceded 5 in a single game for the second week in row, in what was a disappointing end to the night series campaign for 2010. As in the previous year we needed to win the final group game to progress to the semi finals and for the second year running failed to come to the party. In what was a dire opening 25 minutes spectators had begun to think about cutting their losses and going home early after a couple of crosses flashing across the goal mouth was the only real excitement. Gosnells then came closest to opening the scoring when the Forrestfield keeper pulled off a tremendous save to deny Daley and seconds later Daley was denied again by a goal line clearance. A minute latter Daryl battled hard on the halfway line and played a neat one two with Daley. Daryl whipped in a delightful cross from deep but Salvi failed to hit the target with his resulting header on the edge of the six yard box. Forrestfield then had three good chances of their own at the other end but were guilty of not hitting the target and on a couple of occasions even failed to hit the clubhouse. Forrestfield finally did open the scoring when Dave was stripped of the ball and the centre forward ran in unchallenged and slotted calmly past Dane. Ten minutes later Forrestfield were awarded a cheap freekick on the edge of the box which was duely converted for a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Gosnells needed to score first in the second half and did so through Daley who was undoubtedly Gosnells best player on the night. But the balance of play never really shifted and when Forrestfield scored again Gosnells were required to start committing players forward. With each goal that Forrestfield scored the heads just dropped a little lower and the Forrestfield players seemed to find that extra half yard. And so in what could politely be described as a less than average Gosnells performance they were well beaten. We were unable to win many of the positional battles across the field and we never really got together as a team all night. The break now provides the players and coaching staff three weeks to iron out the issues before the start of the regular season. The yo-yo nature of the performances by team and individuals during the night series suggests we need to find some consistency in our game. When at our best we can beat anyone, but at our worst, well hopefully we will not find out.

Round 4 - Sunday 28th FEB 2010. KO 7pm

Venue – Hartfield Park, Forrestfield

Gosnells City suffered its first defeat of the night series competition against a powerful Wanneroo City in what must have been the game of the series so far. Wanneroo flew out of the block and penned Gosnells into their own half for the first 20 minutes of the game. With their direct style to a three pronged front line, pacey wingers, uncompromising midfield and the same desire for the ball going forward and in defence enabled them to apply pressure in all areas of the pitch. This was turning out to be Gosnells first real test of the season and they were holding up to the pressure until the 20th minute. A series of dangerous Wanneroo corners finally took their toll and Wanneroo opened the scoring after two Wanneroo players battled each other to head home the opener from 2 yards. Wanneroo then seemed to ease up and Gosnells stepped up and slowly came into the game. For ten minutes it was end to end football with some good chances falling to both teams. Gosnells drew level on 30 minutes when Daley sent in a teasing through ball over the shoulder of the Wanneroo defence from deep for Alan Claxton to volley past the keeper. Gosnells seemed to be finished the half stronger and with 5 minutes of the half remaining Andy Pomfret scored a top class free kick on the corner of the penalty box to put Gosnells ahead and punctuate a good period of the game for Gosnells.

The second half started at the same pace and it didn’t take long for Wanneroo to draw level with an unstoppable screamer from outside the box. Gosnells refused to give up the lead for long and from another terrific corner from Adrian, Daley popped up unmarked at the back post to head in the go ahead goal with 20 or so minutes remaining. Wanneroo then threw caution to the wind and sent four men up front and left our two attackers man for man at the back. They turned the screw harder and harder by being able to maintain possession of the ball for long periods and winning it back quickly when they lost it. Their gamble paid off with an equaliser and a winner all within 10 minutes as Gosnells were unable to capitalise on Wanneroo being short of numbers at the back. Wanneroo tapped in a fifth to close the game out in the final stages on what had been a highly entertaining game.

Next weeks game Friday 5th MAR 2010. Gosnells City FC v Forrestfield United KO 7pm

Round 3 - Friday 19th FEB 2010. KO 7pm

Venue – Hartfield Park, Forrestfield.

The 5-0 drubbing of Queens Park was a game of two halves. The first 45 minutes saw Gosnells City at its very best, especially when in possession of the ball. Constant movement of players and ball, combined with slick passing and intelligent use of the ball and players, once again highlighted a dominant performance which yielded four goals in the first half, and could have been more. Salvi was terrorising the QP left back with powerful runs and vicious crosses that applied constant pressure to the QP six yard box. Andy and Ian were running the middle of the park with box to box work rate at a high tempo, constant harassment of the opposition midfield pair when not in possession and smart and quick shifting of play when on the ball. Every Gosnells player was getting involved in the game going forward and some of the interplay was a delight to watch. The movement off the ball was relentless and creative, and the use of the ball when in possession opened up the QP defence like a hot knife through butter. Andy opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 15 minutes and added a 2nd 5 minutes later after another Salvi cross proved to hard to handle and he slotted the ball in from the edge of the box. Salvi then got in on the scoring with another header (Two in his lifetime, both in this competition) a few minutes later. And then the goal of the game near the end of the half, with a sweeping move down the left which started from the back and involved Ray, Adrian and Darren, with a passage of three or four slick one-two’s which ended up with Daley breaking into the box and slotting coolly past the QP keeper. In a wonderful display the only disappointments after 45 minutes was that the whistle came to end the half and we had only four goals to punctuate a display that had deserved so much more.

The second half was a scrappy affair in which Gosnells took its foot off the accelerator and allowed QP into the game. We rode our luck on a few occasions but fortunately did not concede to give QP any credit on a score line, which they barely deserved. Neil King, Allan Claxton and Liam Cave all came on in the second half with Liam popping in another goal to add to his growing reputation, but it was probably the only highlight of the half for us. Hopefully a lesson was learnt about not letting up and playing the game through to the end. I believe we are too nice sometimes and need to develop ruthlessness in our game that will strangle the life out of the opposition. And then when they are collapsed and helpless on the floor the desire to sink the boot in and finish them off. In the first three games the squad has displayed a greater maturity and patience on the ball with an increased movement and intelligence in the movement off the ball. But defensively, all eleven players from the front to the back, for the full 90 minutes, especially immediately after we lose possession, is where we need to improve. We have yet to concede a goal in the competition, sometimes more through luck than design, and against more illustrious opponents we may come unstuck if we cannot organise quickly and effectively all across the park.

Next weeks game Sunday 28th FEB 2010. Gosnells City FC v Wanneroo City. 18’s KO 5pm and 1st Team KO 7pm

Round 2 - Friday 14th FEB 2010. KO 7pm

Venue – Hartfield Park, Forrestfield.

There were three changes to the Gosnells starting line up for the second game of the night series. Chris McGrath was handed a debut start at right back, in for the injured Sam Maguire, Daiten Twyman replaced Salvi at right mid and Chris Thompson was in for Darren Francis who had a suspected strained inner ear. The opening exchanges set the game at a high pace with both sides shifting the ball quickly in a great display of proper football. Fremantle had Gosnells pressed back in their half for the opening 15 minutes which saw Gosnells lose Scott Devine to a calf injury, with Dave Firth his replacement. Whilst the Gosnells back four struggled with the speed of a very youthful and pacey Fremantle attack, our own attack failed to penetrate the Fremantle final third with any real conviction. We rode our luck on several occasions and Fremantle should really have taken the lead, one chance an outrageous shot over the bar from inside the box with absolutely no one to beat.

Gosnells then started to get into this game of free flowing football. Both sides wanted to play the ball quickly but at times struggled with the combination of pace of the ball and the technical ability to play at that high pace. The halftime whistle came very quickly in a very entertaining first half in which on reflection both sides could have been in front at the break had they taken their chances and both teams happy not to be behind after some casual and carefree defending.

At the start of the second half Gosnells moved Daiten to right back and brought on Neil King at right mid to good effect with both combining well throughout the half. The halftime team talk saw the very flat back four from the first half become the opposite of flat. They dropped a little deeper and started to provide each other with cover which saw a huge reduction of one on ones and Dane saw less of the Fremantle forwards barring down on him. The second half also the re-introduction of the slick passing and movement we had witnessed in the first game of the competition. The game continued at a quick pace and was end to end for a solid 20 minutes. Fremantle had enjoyed the lion’s share of the first 20 minutes of the game and Gosnells responded well with the greater forward momentum of the final 20 minutes. Daley “apparently Jim Morrison didn’t die in a Paris apartment on 3rd July 1971, and doesn’t look a day older, and is now living and playing football in Thornlie” Rothwell came on to provide a cut and thrust up front. Daiten and Ray began to provide support now that they were feeling more comfortable defensively. The midfield four began to control the middle of the park and Daly and Liam were not only providing an offensive threat but were also applying defensive pressure to the Fremantle back line.

Gosnells had a series of good chances in front of goal in the final stanza of the game and applied increasing pressure with a string of corners delivered devilishly into the six yard box which were just begging for someone to get something on it and direct it toward goal. The game ended goalless, god only knows how, in what was a very entertaining, high tempo, high spirited game of football between two young developing teams.

Next weeks game Friday 19th 2010. Gosnells City FC v Queens Park. 18’s KO 6pm and 1st Team KO 8pm

Round 1 - Friday 5th FEB 2010. KO 8pm

Venue – Hartfield Park, Forrestfield.

The flattering final score line was not a true reflection of the opening game to our 2010 Night Series campaign, in what was truly a fine display of free flowing football. Unfortunately for Rockingham the flow of football was like lava gorging from Mt Vesuvius towards their goal and a true reflection of Gosnells City’s dominance of the game should have been double figures.

Rockingham tried hard throughout the 90 minutes but when just pumping the ball as far away from your own goal is your only form of defence and the opposition goalkeepers major involvement is taking goal kicks, things are not going in the right direction. Whilst on the other hand Gosnells were seldom hurried anywhere on the pitch throughout the 90 minutes.

At the back, first gamer Dane McBride between the sticks, Ray McDonald, Ciaran Allen (reprising his U12s role as a central defender), Scott Devine and Sam Maguire set up a solid barrier defensively but were not really tested with both fullbacks pushing on behind their respective midfielders at every opportunity. The midfield of debutantes Adrian McBride and Andy Pomfret and club captain Ian Maguire and South American import Salvi Chavez gave the team a balance and cohesion that I personally have not witnessed at the club. And the tall timber up front of Liam Cave and Darren Francis tormented the Rockingham defence all night with their power and pace.

All of the 2009 GCFC players showed why this team were pushing top 4 last season and put on a display that proved they can get there again this year. But for me it was the two new lads that have added the vital components we have been missing to reach the summit. Adrian out wide on the left with his terrific crossing, running at defenders, good movement off the ball and direct style filled a void we have been trying to fill since more youthful Claxton occupied that space. And Andy in the centre of midfield showed an insatiable appetite for the ball and rarely misplaced a pass all night. He constantly brought the fullbacks into the game, encouraging them forward and shifted the pill quickly and accurately to all parts of the pitch only then to make intelligent runs to offer support 5 or 6 passes later.

The depth to the Gosnells squad was highlighted by last seasons stalwart at the back Dave “Filthy” Firth replacing an injured Sam “Not so Filthy” Maguire without missing a beat midway through the second half. And then Allan Claxton and Neil King both seamlessly coming on and scoring within 5 minutes of taking the field.

Without getting too far ahead of ourselves it was a great start to the 2010 season against what was a pedestrian Rockingham City who can only improve. But the signs of breaking the curse of 1997 look good if we can make some improvements ourselves and continue to show the fighting spirit we are becoming renowned for.

Goal Scorers – Salvi Chavez, Ian Maguire, Liam Cave, Adrian McBride, Neil King, Allan Claxton

Next weeks game Sunday 14th FEB 2010 against Fremantle Spirit. 18’s KO 5pm and 1st Team KO 7pm