Dragons cap season with premierships
The Drouin Dragons were well represented in this year’s Gippsland Soccer League grand finals, coming away with two wins out of four.
Both the seniors and under 16s won the 2016 final with the under 12s and under 14s beaten by a better side on the day.
The games were played at Phillip Island, who did a great job in preparing the pitches to host the grand final.
It’s been another successful season for the Drouin Dragon’s Soccer Club on and off the pitch and sets the club up for a great 2017 season.
Under 12s
Fulltime Score: Drouin 0 Phillip Island 1
It was a superb finish to the season with a closely fought game.
Drouin put up a fantastic effort to really push Phillip Island all the way.
The defence was resolute forcing Phillip Island to shoot from outside the penalty box for most of the match. Having conceded 13 goals in the previous two games against Phillip Island, the effort cannot be understated.
It was a great game from all players and easily their best performance for the year.
Ace was great in goals making many saves and despite conceding one goal performed admirably under great pressure, saving many more attempts.
The midfield worked harder than ever in perfect conditions with Tyan, Ethan and Jordan covering enormous ground. Cain adapted well to a defensive mid role and pushed back in defence really strongly all game.
Jackson, Jack, Matilda and Thomas put a heap of pressure on Phillip Island attacks and repelled so many attacks.
Ali and Samuel were unlucky not to score. Ali in particular had one shot that they thought had scored only to just drift wide.
There were good contributions from the bench with Mordecai, Connor and Linkin all performing well when called on.
In fantastic signs for next season it was a superb effort.
Player Awards: Coaches award: team effort
Under 14s
Fulltime Score: Drouin 1 - Inverloch 2
The under 14s played one of their best games for the 2016 season, however were beaten by Inverloch who lost out in 2015 by a penalty shootout in the semi final against Drouin Dragons.
The grand final was a hard fought game with both teams playing well in the cold conditions at Phillip Island.
Under 16s
Half-time Score: Drouin Dragons 1 - Phillip Island 0
Full-time Score: Drouin Dragons 2 - Phillip Island 1
The Drouin Dragons under 16s put in a sensational effort, holding at bay a very skilled and determined Phillip Island Breakers side.
The game for the most part was fought out in the midfield with neither side willing to give away ground. Both defences were strong and attacking play from both teams was being met with sound marking and counter attacks.
Drouin was the first side to slot in a beautifully timed goal from a corner kick executed superbly by Carlos (Gustavo) Galdamez after about 20 minutes of play.
The score remained unchanged up to the half-way point.
The second half started as intensely as the first with Phillip Island really taking the challenge to Drouin. This paid off after about seven minutes of play with the Breakers scoring from a nice piece of individual play from the striker to level things 1-1.
Urgency seemed to be the dominant theme from both sides for the remainder of the match. Play got quite scrappy at times with neither side being prepared to allow the other to gain any sort of leverage.
However, with 15 minutes to play, Drouin pressed forward an attack through the middle of the pitch which was superbly finished off by Daniel Patchett to push Drouin in front 2-1.
Phillip Island did not give up and came back at Drouin with vigour in the hope to secure the equaliser. Drouin’s defence held as it has done so throughout the season and the game finished 2-1 to the Dragons.
Drouin Dragons have proved all season that they have been the team to beat and now can rightly say that with the League championship and the Premiere championship under their belts, they are indeed a champion side.
They are also the first under 16 side in the Drouin Dragons club history to secure both the championship titles.
Best on ground and coaches awards: The whole team.
Goal scorers: Gustavo Galdamez 1, Daniel Patchett 1.
Seniors
Half-time Score: Drouin Dragons 1 - Inverloch Stars 0
Full-time Score: Drouin Dragons 5 - Inverloch Stars 1
The Drouin Dragons seniors commenced the match with real intent to dominate play.
Inverloch also commenced with much passion, which saw a fast flowing technical game of soccer played by both sides for the first 15 minutes of the game.
Drouin however looked the more confident side and settled down to business by ensuring the game was played according to their style and game plan. This seemed to frustrate Inverloch who by this time were having to come up with defensive responses to strong attacking play being brought upon them by the Dragons.
Drouin were soon rewarded with a nicely executed goal scored by Chris Davies after about 20 minutes of play.
Drouin remained the dominant side throughout the remainder of the first half but could not finish due to resilient Inverloch defence leaving the score at 1-0 at the break.
The second half was a different matter with Drouin’s prior grand final experiences being put to good psychological advantage. They played very clean, clinical and innovative soccer putting the Stars under tremendous pressure throughout the 45 minutes of play.
Drouin was awarded a free kick deep inside Inverloch’s half that was taken superbly by Caleb Hotchkin slotting over the Inverloch wall into the top left hand corner taking the side out to a two goal advantage.
Shortly after this, Drouin was awarded a penalty which was finished off by a very cool and calm Tyler Ryan who gave the goalkeeper no chance to save it.
The Drouin side remained relentless in their attacking play and around the 30 minute mark Trey Dekker broke free from the Inverloch defence to score from a second effort strike pushing the Dragon’s lead beyond recovery.
Inverloch to their credit remained resolute and continued to play some innovative and creative football, and were rewarded for their efforts with a beautifully struck goal from outside the 18yard box into the top right hand corner reducing the gap to 4-1.
However, as Drouin had done so for the entire match, they came back within five minutes of letting one in to score a wonderfully placed goal over the keeper’s head from outside the 18-yard box from Frank Pitisano’s right boot sealing the match 5-1.
The Drouin Dragons seniors who were undefeated all season have proved to all challengers that they have been the team to beat and now can rightly say that with the League championship and the Premiere championship under their belts, they are indeed a champion side.
Goal scorers: Chris Davies 1, Caleb Hotchkin 1, Tyler Ryan 1, Trey Dekker 1, Frank Pitisano 1