Junior teams showcase improvement in metro
Warragul's under 10 boys returned to Pakenham for a rematch whilst the league leaders proved too much for the under 11 boys.
Under 10 boys: Warragul defeated Pakenham 2-0
With defeat still fresh in their minds from their round one contest against Pakenham, Warragul was keen to demonstrate just how far they have progressed.
Having blooded well in the mid-season draft, the new look forward outfit included Harry Lee and Eddy Marriott returning from a brief stint in the European league. They were keen to show what they could do and came out full of running, with numerous early runs penetrating a fragile Pakenham midfield.
Pakenham continued to employ their unique tactic of booting the ball out of bounds whenever under pressure in defence. It was only a matter of time before this tactic would come back to bite them.
On more than one occasion, the Pakenham players were so keen to find the boundary that they failed to differentiate between the sideline and the end of the field. This handed Warragul plenty of opportunities to refine their tactics from either corner.
With seemingly wide dimensions, Warragul was grateful for Noah's powerful boot, as few others could centre a ball that far. Eddy found himself in perfect position to deflect one of Noah's well delivered corners, to catch the tightly drilled and vocal Pakenham goalkeeper napping.
Warragul went into the break up 1-0, and with their tails up having dominating the field of play.
With Shyam being the Rock of Gibraltar in defence, the forwards were free to confidently play their own game in attack.
Eddy centred a well-timed pass to Harry in the box, setting up a goal that was nonchalantly converted in quality display of one touch football.
This would prove to be the nail in the coffin for Pakenham, who can now only reflect and ponder on just how far Warragul have come since their last encounter.
Under 11 boys: Warragul lost to Dandenong City 1-8
Another trip to Dandenong City to play against the league leaders was on the cards for Warragul.
They entered the game with optimism that they had improved since the mauling handed out to them earlier in the year.
Coach Stuart Davis encouraged his players to press and attack the strong Dandenong City team and, for the first 15 minutes, the United boys did just that. They frustrated the City ball players and looked the more likely to score.
However, City slowly gained control of the game and the scoreboard with some well created goals.
Without Oliver Lee, Liam Arbon once again stepped up to the centre back role. Isaac Sharp found himself in the unfamiliar role of goalkeeper and pulled off some cracking saves.
The centre mid combination of Jesse Davis and Sidney Box ran and chased all day, but spent more time defending than attacking.
The start of the second half started the same as the first, with United on the attack. They finally received some reward with Jesse Davis winning the ball in the midfield and Sidney Box finishing the shot on goal.
Under immense pressure, fullbacks Beckham Bremner and Lewis Manzo worked hard to get the ball into the attacking wings of Jun O'Connor and Hudson Riess.
The scoreline was much improved from the first round, and Warragul walked off proud, knowing they had given it their all against the top team.
Best: Jesse Davis, Liam Arbon and Beckham Bremner.
Under 13 girls: Warragul defeated Sandringham 3-1
Under 13 boys: Warragul defeated Mount Eliza 1-0