THE end result was three wins and a loss from the Young Warriors’ four Boys Junior NPL Victoria games against Avondale FC played at Elcho Park on Sunday.
As is normally the case, the UNDER 13s kicked off proceedings, recording a sensational come from behind 2-1 win against the Avengers.
After a first half where our boys dominated possession but just couldn’t score, the U13s went into the break 0-1 down at half time.
The boys rallied and lifted the intensity throughout the second period and a brilliant strike from Tobias Servin and another goal by Alexander Giorgio following a one-on-one with the Avondale ‘keeper saw us get a hard fought 2-1 win.
“Our defence was again strong and provided numerous attacks,” a satisfied U13s coach Colin Paton said after the game.
The UNDER 14s triumphed in their game convincingly by a scoreline of 3-0 with the goals scored by Zach Stosic, Aaron Kalic and Patrick Wall.
“The first half saw some of the best soccer the boys have played all year, it was great to watch. In the end, it was a solid team effort,” a very pleased U14s coach Ante Stosic praised his troops after the game.
The UNDER 15s made it three from three after winning 2-1 in a scrappy affair.
The Young Warriors, currently in top spot on the U15s Western division ladder, went up 2-0 with two well worked goals – one from James Alexander and the other from a Luke Zivcic header.
“We held on after conceding in the second half. Overall it was a solid win coming off two big days of football,” said a relieved assistant coach James Ramage after the game.
The UNDER 16s were not able to hold on to their 2-1 lead late in the first half and succumbed to a tough Avondale outfit to eventually go down 2-5 after finishing the game with just nine players.
Despite going down to an early deficit the very young U16s Warriors’ side fought back to lead 2-1 at half time thanks to goals from Harry Waugh and Noa Skoko (who were stepping up from the U16s, along with Luke Zivcic).
In an almost identical scenario to Saturday’s loss to the Altona Magic (5-6), the U16s conceded inside two mins of the restart after the interval and were unable to maintain the high pressing game with injuries taking their toll.
“We finished the game with only nine players, but it was a great effort to go up against two top four sides and lead at half time of each match,” said assistant coach Josip Zilic after the loss to Avondale.
“In the end, it was a fantastic effort and our attitude was faultless,” he added.
Next Sunday, the Young Warriors are away to sister club St Albans Saints in Round 7 action.
