Drouin Dragons take a road trip
Drouin Dragons travelled to Welshpool on Sunday to play against both Sale United and Prom Coast.
The required two-hour road trip saw an early start for many Drouin players, with the under 14s kicking off at 9.15am.
Men’s reserves: Drouin defeated Prom Coast 130.
Drouin faced the longest journey in the league to contend with Prom Coast. However, they came back to Drouin from a four-hour round trip with three points and as 13-0 winners. Goals came from five different scorers. The reserves now sit eight points clear at the top of the table.
Goals: Reece Harrison six, Jarrod Buckley-Cook three, Tom Lyons two, Jared Dean and Brad Wittmer. Women’s: Drouin defeated Prom Coast 11-2. The women had their heads in the game and were happy with the outcome. Maybe it was the long drive over.
They talked, they passed, and they definitely played together as a team.
The game consisted of some firsts with Kerry Brown, Rhiannon Williams and Chanice Muzorori all scoring their first goals for the season.
Goalie Rebecca Martin came out in the second half and had her first run. Under 16 girls: Drouin lost to Sale 0-10. Drouin went down to a very determined Sale side.
The Dragons worked hard to get the ball and, whilst they had many attempts, were unsuccessful to convert a goal.
Team awards were given to Sophie Belcher, Miriama Cooper, Isabella Sellers and Makenna Storen for their feats on the field and encouragement. Under 14 Gold: Drouin defeated Lang Lang 9-1. The Dragons under 14B team faced Lang Lang United at Bellbird Park on Sunday.
Battered and bruised after the tight Drouin Derby defeat the previous weekend, the team were keen to get back to winning ways.
But a lapse in defensive concentration gifted Lang Lang an early chance and the Dragons found themselves a goal down early on; an identical situation as when they last faced Lang Lang earlier in the season. However, it took Drouin no time at all to fight back. They played some outstanding passes to cut through their opponents only moments after going behind. Alex Tabensky finished off the move in style to tie up the contest.
It was Tabensky again who gave the Dragons the lead after some good wing play by Finley Lock.
With seconds left before the half-time whistle, Lock won the ball just inside his own half, ran down the inside left channel, rounded the final defender and finished superbly.
Just after half-time, Lock collected the ball outside the box and fizzed a rising shot into the top corner.
Drouin was 4-1 up with most of the second half to go. They took the chance to shake up the formation, but the goals kept coming.
Dylan Sotiropoulos, playing in a deeper lying position than is normally expected, still found the time to create a chance for Tabensky, who completed his hat-trick in typical style.
Conor McCluskey, playing with stitches after a hard hit last weekend, was given the freedom to roam from his usual sweeper position. He picked up the ball near his own penalty area and ran the length of the field before smashing the ball home; a goal that delighted his father and coach Paul McCluskey. With the game concluding, the true star of the show was just beginning to get going.
Charlie Tsuchida found himself playing on the left wing and repaid the coach's faith by scoring three excellent goals, before enjoying a standing ovation as he left the field near the end.
Other notable performances were from William Payne, who continues to excel in his fullback role, and Calvin Langford, who was unlucky when his long-range shot thudded off the bar.
It was a morale booster before next weekend's top of the table clash at Phillip Island. Under 12s: Drouin defeated Prom Coast 14-0. The Dragons faced an inexperienced, young Prom Coast at Welshpool.
The game was played in a spirit of good sportsmanship with special mention to Tom Blackburn and James Midgley for their efforts. Best: Aiden Johnson. Coaches award: Josh Clarke. Under 8s: After a week off due to the bye, Drouin was ready to go.
Cal came out strong as always, moving the ball through his opponents and scoring a few goals. Mieke was impressive, chasing down the ball and consecutively putting on the pressure to turn the ball over many times. Max used his foot skills to take the ball from the midfield to the attacking end. He finished off with some lovely balls into the net. Audrey was a superstar, playing the first half in goals and unleashing her fury in the second half. She scored her first goal for the season.
Castro was strong and supported his teammates when they picked off the ball with a fierce game in defence. William played the first half attacking and had a few shots at goal, with a couple of near misses. He jumped into goals for the second half and stopped some really good balls by going to ground on the ball.
Spencer was on, chasing down the ball and getting into the play by passing off to his teammates. Adam tried very hard. He was asked to chase down the play and have a go at goal whilst off and did just that when he came on.
The Hurricane are on top of the ladder in the Baw Baw Squash Competition.
The Scorchers are behind, with 26 points.
Heat are on 24 points and Renegades round out the top four with 22 points.
Terry Milsome was player of the round. Results: Heat 3/10-240 defeated Strikers 1.7-219:
Steve Mooney 0/2-60 lost to David Winterton 1/3-66, Michael Bellingham (fill-in) 0-1-54 lost to Peter Young 1/3-59, Russell Jackson 1/3-62 defeated Bruce Bowering 0/1-57, Bruce Barry 0/143 lost to Duane Cunningham 1/3-58.
Thunder 1/3-167 Hurricanes 3/10-190:
Scott McArdle 0/0-39 lost to Cameron McConville 1/3-47, Michael McKay 1/3-59 defeated not lost far to