By Skip Fulton
This weekend marked the third and final week in the group stages of the Heritage Youth Cup at De Chene Reserve. All five teams from South Melbourne were in action and the results would see the Under 8s and Under 10s progress through to the Semi Finals.
Under 8s
The Under 8 team has had a developing season in the Miniroos structure. They have played up a level in the Under 9 and the challenge has seen them progress technically as individuals and structurally as a team very well. The benefits of this were on display at the Heritage Youth Cup when they returned to their normal age group.
This week they came up against their strongest opponent in Point Cook. The team played positive football and scored twice to secure the 2-1 win.
Round 1: Win – defeated Eltham 4-1
Round 2: Win – defeated Northcote City 2-1
Round 3: Win – defeated Point Cook 2-1
Result: Finished first in Group 3 and now meet Cairnlea in the Semi-Final.
Photos: http://on.fb.me/1CeVgqD
Under 9s
The South Melbourne Under 9A team had a very challenging group and faced some strong opposition. This week they also faced Point Cook who proved tough opposition. Despite the best efforts the team went down losing 1-2.
Round 1: Loss – defeated by Beaumaris 3-0
Round 2: Draw – drew with Northcote City 1-1
Round 3: Loss – defeated by Point Cook 1-2
Result: Finished third in Group 4
Photos: http://on.fb.me/1sD7dXb
The South Melbourne Under 9B team also came up against strong opposition and reflects on how successful football in this age group is around Melbourne. This age group presented one of the most balanced set of results for the whole tournament. South faced group leaders Bundoora who were undefeated and despite putting one goal in the net, the boys went down losing 1-3.
Round 1: Won– defeated Moreland Zebras 8-0
Round 2: Loss – defeated by Eltham Redbacks 0-1
Round 3: Loss – defeated by Bundoora 1-3
Result: Finished third in Group 1
Photos: http://on.fb.me/1v5p20L
Under 10s
This week, the team would come up against the host team Moreland Zebras in a match that was highly anticipated by both clubs. One of the larger turnouts watched this match and crowded around the field on a stunning Sunday morning. They were treated to an excellent performance by both teams, however, it was South Melbourne who continued their dominant run scoring multiple times to run out 3-1 winners.
Round 1: Won– defeated Whittlesea United 1-0
Round 2: Won – defeated Spring Hills 5-0
Round 3: Won – defeated Moreland Zebras 3-1
Result: Finished first in Group 1 and now meet Northcote City in the Semi-Final.
Photos: http://on.fb.me/1rrCtC2
Under 11s
The South Melbourne coach Jamie Reed had recently returned to England, however, he wasn’t far away from his team’s big match against Pascoe Vale. Being kept up to date on Facebook, South needed a win to make it through to the Semi-Finals.
A great start greeted the crowd when the first goal came in just the sixth minute. The remainder of the first half was well played by both teams demonstrating great individual skill with the ball. On the stroke of half-time Pascoe Vale scored from a corner to equalise. This theme would carry on throughout the match with South taking the lead and Pascoe Vale getting it back. In a minute of stoppage time, Pascoe Vale would again score from a corner finalising the match in a draw at 3-3 and in doing so progressing to the Semi-Finals at the expense of South Melbourne on goal difference.
Round 1: Won– defeated Lalor United 1-0
Round 2: Draw – drew with Northcote City 1-1
Round 3: Draw – drew with Pascoe Vale 3-3
Result: Finished second in Group 3
Photos: http://on.fb.me/1D8inp2
Next Matches on Saturday 18th October
9.00am – South Melbourne Under 8s meet Cairnlea for a chance to meet Box Hill United or Beaumaris in the Grand Final
9.00am – South Melbourne Under 10s meet Northcote City for a chance to meet Manningham United or Moreland Zebras Purple in the Grand Final.