---

Team Info

Team Coach	Laurie Ferns   0425 729 358   ferns200@bigpond.net.au
Assistant Coach	Steve Everett   0411 969 164   gunit1@eftel.net.au
Team Manager	Vincent Schroen   0419 315 025   vschroen@hotmail.com
Training Times	See pre-season schedule below.
2008 Squad Members	9    Anastasio, Anthony 5    Ayad, Daniel 16  Azizi, Feston 1    Bray,  Alistair 14  Brown, Kojo 3    Dimanche, Dominic 7    Ferns, Curran 6    Frangou, Chris 11  Hameed, Ali 13  Konstantindis,Stelios 43  Liolios,  Billy 12  Michaelis, Jordan 10  Muscara, James 8    Oz, Ozkan 4    Schroen, Marcus 2    Vassiliou, James (Andrijasevic, Stipo transferred to Melbourne Knights June 2008)	Message 31 August 2008 Presentation night is on Saturday 6 September at Princess Court Reception Centre. 6.30 pm start to 12 midnight.

Latest Team News (31 August 2008)

MATCH REPORTS

2008 U15 SE SUPER LEAGUE

Game vs FC Bulleen Lions (31 August 2008)

(0 - 1 Loss)

Monash U15s put on a great technical performance in their last game of the U15s winter season. Unfortunately the game went 1 - 0 to Bulleen, but the players can be proud of such a good display after suffering poor form over the previous 5 weeks.

With 4 players out with suspension, injury and flu virus, the team only had 12 able bodies. Some restructuring was required with Anthony Anastasio leading the attackline supported by Chris Frangou. Both boys supported well by a skilfull midfield display. Bulleen pressed in the opening few minutes, but gradually Monash took control of the game and had the majority of the ball. James Vassiliou fired a cracking shot just over the bar on 10 minutes, then Anastasio came very close on 2 occassions. The ball was in the Bulleen net towards the end of the first half, but two Monash players had been judged for offside. In the second period Bulleen had more of the ball, but it was still Monash that looked the more dangerous and composed. Keeper Alistair Bray pulled off a good save after Bulleen players combined well in their attacking third. Bulleen then scored with about 12 minutes remaining after a ball across the edge of the box was not cleared properly, and the rebounding ball fell nicely into the path of a Bulleen forward to bundle into the net from close range. In the final minutes Monash pressed and had three corners that Bulleen had to defend with their full concentration. Ozkan Oz came closest with a header but the ball was directed too close to the keeper for a routine save.       

Game vs Berwick City (24 August 2008)

(1 - 2 Loss, Scorer J. Muscara)

The Monash team were punished dearly for missing 10 clear scoring opportunities against weaker opposition. Curran Ferns missed 4 clear chances in the first 25 minutes and against the run of play Berwick found themseleves 1 - 0 up after the team had forgotton to defend. Wave after wave of attack was finally rewarded with a James Muscara goal on the stroke of half time to level the game 1 - 1. Monash started well again and again Ferns missed another opportunity pushing his clear shot gently to the keeper from inside the box. Kojo Brown, Anthony Anastasio and Muscara all again missed very scorable 1 v 1 chances. The team pushing forward was hit with a counter-attack to go 1 - 2 down. With about 8 mins remaining Marcus Schroen badly injured his knee in a collision and when the ball went out of play, Monash team officials entered the field with a stretcher and ice to provide treatment. To the surprise of everyone the referee viewed this as a pitch invasion, the game was stopped by the referee, and match awarded to Berwick. A strange decision and the game result is recorded as 2 - 1 to Berwick.

Game vs North Caulfield (10 August 2008) 

(0 - 2 Loss)

Only the second game this season that Monash failed to score a goal in a game. The team played poorly on a wind-swept heavy pitch against a strong Caulfield team that played the conditions well and to suit their physical advantage. Although some of the players were tired from mid-week activities, there was little excuse for the poor performance overall. The team fell 1 - 0 in the first half and should have been 2 or 3 nil down. The Monash team was restructured at half time and improved somewhat in the second half but with the wind picking up could not maintain a long period of decent team play and was hit after a counter-attack near the end of the game. The defeat puts the team back into 5th spot, its lowest position since the team has been together over the last 8 years.

Friendly Game vs U14 Metro State Team (7 August 2008)

(2 - 2 Draw, Scorers C. Frangou, K. Brown)

A great technical performance for two-thirds of the game, Monash with only 11 players to field after James Vassiliou had to leave the game after 5 mins with a rolled ankle. Chris Frangou and Kojo Brown both scoring terrific goals. The team was unfortunate not to score 4 more, Frangou, James Muscara and Curran Ferns (with two headers) all missing scoring chances. The team tired late in the second half and allowed the U14 State squad back in with an unfortunate penalty. Shortly after a miss-placed pass was intercepted and allowed a clear shot by the U14s striker to draw the game 2 - 2.

Game vs Dandenong Thunder (3 August 2008)

(4 - 0 Win, Scorers: A. Anastasio, J. Muscara x 2, F. Azizi)

A routine win against the bottom side, but Thunder held the score to one nil until mid-way through second half. A brace by James Muscara followed a long goal-less period after Anthony Anastasio had put the team in front within 2 minutes. At the end of the game Feston Azizi scored against his old club once agin to seal a 4 - 0 victory.

Game vs Dandenong City (26 July 2008)

(1 - 1 Draw, Scorer: J Muscara)

Another difficult game that degenerated due to poor refereeing. After going 1 - 0 from a great team goal finished by James Muscara, Dandenong were gifted a goal by the referee. After a shot was spilled near the goal-line, goalkeeper Alistair Bray grabbed the ball safeyly but the team was astonished when the young referee judged the ball to have crossed the line and awarded Dandenong an equaliser. In the second half Dandenong had a player sent off, but their 10 men held Monash out to a 1 - 1 draw.

Game vs Oakleigh Cannons (19 July 2008)

(4 - 0 Win, Scorers: B. Liolios, A. Anastasio, K. Brown, F. Azizi)

A good win after losing the previous two games. Monash were always in control and scored two goals in both halves. Three goals were from spectacular shots from outside the box. Anthony Anastasio scored the cheekiest goal of the season, taking the ball off the Oakleigh goalkeeper when he was not looking to thump the ball home for his first goal of the campaign.

Game vs Nunawading City (12 July 2008)

(0 - 3 Loss)

Monash U15s missed out on their chance to catch league leaders Nunawading after suffering their second defeat in a week.  The team must now get on with wining its remaining games with the hope other sides will drop points.  The chance of 3 points was realistically over within 5 minutes when Nunawading scored two quick goals at the start of the game. The defence was slow to start and was found flat footed to deal with balls kicked into the penalty box. Late in the first half the referee awarded third a goal for a ball bouncing off the underside of the cross-bar. The ball appeared to bounce well inside play but was judged to have crossed the line? 
The team was better in the second half and played patches of good football, and creating a number of good chances. However, the first half collapse was too much to make up and provided Nunawading with a 6 point buffer at the top of the table.

Game vs Mornington City (6 July 2008)

(1 - 2 Loss, Scorer: J. Vassiliou)

A shocking first half performance cost Monash all 3 points and a chance to move into contention for first position next week. The team had a number of tired players due to weekend Futsal tournament and this allowed Mornington to take the initiative and dominate the midfield. Monash lost the ball too easily and were not quick enough to win the ball. Mornington went 1 - 0 up 15 minutes in and were unlucky not to have led 2 nil at half time. In the second half the Monash team was restructured and played very well. James Vassiliou scored an equaliser after a good run from Billy Liolios on the left wing, cutting the ball back to Vassiliou to smash home fron the 6 yard box. Monash were completely on top and sent players forward in search of a winner. Some good combination play through the midfield and in wide positions was not rewarded with a second goal. Unfortunately a Mornington counter attack down the left led to a fine individual goal. The left winger turned the Moansh fullback and smashed an unstoppable shot past Alistair Bray to give Mornngton a 2 - 1 lead against the run of play. The Monash players kept moving forward and both Vassiliou and James Muscara both had close chances, but Mornington hung on to take the 3 points.

. Game vs FC Bulleen Lions (2 July 2008)

(2 - 1 Win, Scorers: K. Brown, Own Goal)

Arguably the match of the season so far and Monash were strong enough to take the three ponts thanks to a delightful goal from Kojo Brown and an important own goal created by James Muscara. Unfortunately Muscara's shot was kicked into the net off a Bulleen player so his goal-a-game record ended after 9 rounds. Late in the game Bulleen pulled a goal back and put pressure on the team for the last 5 minutes, but Monash held out to take the 3 points.

Game vs Berwick City (15 June 2008)

(6 - 2 Win, Scorers: J. Muscara x 3, Kojo Brown x 2, F. Azizi)

Monash U15s scored 6 goals to complete a run of 3 wins in succession and keeping the pressure on top of the table leaders Nunawading. Monash dominated going 3 - 0 up at half time. In the second half Berwick lifted and managed to pul a couple of goals back to punish slack defending from the Monash team after they played too open and comfotable by the mid way point of the second period. James Muscara and Kojo Brown continued their goalscoring form, Muscara recoded his third hat-trick of the season. Feston Azizi chipped in with his third goal of the campaign.

Game vs North Caulfield (8 June 2008)

(3 - 1 Win, Scorers: J. Muscara, D. Ayad, S. Andrijasevic)

A very important win keeps Monash in second place. James Muscara maintained his goal per game record, and Daniel Ayad scored arguably the solo goal of the season.

A very fresh looking Monash team held their own against a very tall and pacey North Caulfield team. Kojo Brown's early run on goal was rewarded with a penalty after the keeper clipped Brown as he chipped the ball cleverly over the keeper with the goal in his sights. Muscara took the kick and converted to give Monash an early lead. Feston Azizi was sent through a couple of times and had a thunderous shot saved on to the post for a corner. Azizi's second effort was blocked by good defending. Late on in the half Caulfield equalised. A cross from the left went betweeen two Monash defenders with the tall Caulfield forward nipping in and tucking a low shot past Alistair Bray. Minutes later just on half time, Ayad stole the ball in his own half and went on a mazy 65 m run past 4 Caulfield defenders to advance into the box and slot a low shot pefectly into the net to restore Monash's lead (unfortunately the goal was not video recorded). In the second half Monash held some pressure and always looked dangerous when attacking. Ali Hameed almost latched onto a through ball. Eventually another goal came, a cross into the Caulfield box was not cleared and Stipo was in the right place to thump the third goal in off the post to make it 3 - 1. Late on Bray had to be steady in goal to deal with some long shots, but Monash held firm to take the three points.  

Game vs Dandenong Thunder (1 June 2008)

 (9 - 1 Win, Scorers: J. Muscara x 3, Kojo Brown x 2, B. Liolios x 2, F. Azizi, S. Andrijasevic)

Dandenong Thunder could not cope with the relentless Monash attacking pressure and conceded 9 goals to only one reply. The Monash U15s scored a personal team record of 9 goals in the Super League competition and move back into second place.

Kojo Brown's opening goal in the early stages of the game was actually cancelled out with a Thunder equalizer. A Thunder forward received a through ball in what appeared to be an offside position to slot coolly past stand-in keeper Anthony Anastasio to draw the game level at 1 - 1. However, minutes later James Muscara put the team 2 - 1 up, and went on to score another 2 goals in the game to claim his second hat-trick of the season, and take his total to 12 goals in 6 games. Kojo Brown and Stipo (header) both scored to make it 4 - 1. In the last seconds of the first half, Thunder won a corner and thought they had scored through a well taken header. Curran Ferns punched the ball into the net as it crossed the line, but unfortunately the referee stopped the game and awarded a penalty. Ferns was controversially red-carded for deliberate hand-ball, and the resulting penalty was saved by Anastasio to deny Thunder their goal, but importantly kept the score a comfortable 4 - 1 at half time. In the second half Monash dominated with 10 men and scored another 5 goals. Billy Liolios converted two long range shots, and Feston Azizi converted a penalty against his old club to complete a final score of 9 - 1.  

Game vs Dandenong City (25 May 2008)

(1 - 1 Draw, Scorer: J. Muscara, penalty)

James Muscara scored his 9th goal in 5 games but it was not enough to give the Monash U15 team all 3 points.

After dominating the first half, Monash got theie nose in front through a penalty. Kojo Brown received the ball on the right and cut into the box only to have the back of his shirt pulled leaving the referee little choice but to award a penalty. Muscara converted to maintain his run of scoring in every game this season. Daniel Ayad nearly doubled the lead with a header off a corner kick, but he directed the ball wide of the right post. Ali Hameed also might have scored a cut back delivered from Stipo, but his marker made a great tackle to prevent a clean shot. In the second half the Monash team looked tired for the first 15 minutes, and allowed Dandenong an equaliser. After giving away a free kick, the ball was chipped in and Ayad's clearing header rebounded back into the box off a player to land perfectly to the Dandenong striker who blasted the ball in from close range. Monash lifted their game and pressed to create some good opportunities, but efforts from Muscara, Brown, Anthony Anastasio, Jordan Michaelis and Billy Liolios were all saved by the Dandenong keeper to keep the final score at 1 - 1.

  Game vs Oakleigh Cannons (18 May 2008)

 (8 - 1 Win, Scorer: J. Muscara x 4, Kojo Brown x 3, Marcus Schroen)

Monash U15s were in a rampant mood on Sunday to record a 8 - 1 victory. Seven of the goals were scroed by two players. James Muscara bagged four goals, and Kojo brown scored a hat-trick. Marcus Schroen scored a single on his return from recent injury.

The win keeps the team on the heals of Nunawading and provides some well needed goal difference. Next week the team will face Dandenong City in what will be a tough encounter.       

Game vs Nunawading City (11 May 2008)

(1 - 3 Loss, Scorer: J. Muscara)

The Monash U15s were unable to maintain their form in this second big game in a week, losing by 3 goal to 1 against Nunawading City.

Monash tried to play fast combination and attacking football throughout the game, but were way off the mark in converting opportunities. James Muscara burst through the Nunawading defence in the first minute, but sprayed a right foot shot over the bar trying to clip the ball over the keepers shoulder. Chances fell to Stipo and Anthony Anastasio, but again good opportunities were off-target. Nunawading were dangerous from set pieces using their height to cause the defence poblems. Alistair Bray made a couple of good takes in the box. Late in the first half Nunawading won a corner and the headed clearence was met by a Nunawading player who rifled a first time shot into the net. Minutes later the Monash defence was caught square as the players pushed up to the half way line, the long ball landing nicely into the path of a Nunawading forward who raced forward beyond the back four, slotting a low ball past the advancing Bray to make it 2 - 0. Shortly after half time, Monash failed to clear a cut back and the lose ball was stabbed in from close range to make it a very difficult 3 - 0 scoreline. The Monash team restructured and worked their way back on top in the game . The gap was reduced when Muscara met a high cross at the back post to head a goal to make the score 3 - 1. Monash pushed and pushed for a second goal but it would not come. A number of good attacks resulted in crosses that could not be converted. Kojo Brown hit the bar with a glancing header, and Ali Hameed also saw his header fly narrowly wide. The first defeat of the season but at least there are plently of games to go and teams at the the top of the table are barely sepearated.  

Game vs Mornington (4 May 2008)

(2 - 1 Win, Scorer: J. Muscara x 2)

A James Muscara brace late in the first half was enough to give Monash City all 3 points against the 2007 SE Super League champions. Monash move equal first wth Nunawading after 2 rounds. 

It was a tough fixture for both sides to be drawn so early in the competition. For most of the first half, Mornington were organised and happy to sit back and defend the Monash build up play, preferring to hit on the counter-attack. Both Muscara and Kojo Brown had early chances for Monash, but both could not get a clean shots on goal as they penetrated the Mornington penalty box. After 20 minutes Mornington hit a long ball with a striker giving chase with the Monash last defender, and a miss-timed clearance was punished to allow the Mornington striker to sneak first to the loose ball and lob the stranded goalkeeper Alistair Bray and put Mornington 1 - 0 up. A few minutes later Mornington should have gone 2 - 0 up as Monash lost their composure after the goal. The second Mornington striker was sent through and rounded Bray on a wide angle, but his shot was cleared off the line by Dominic Dimanche. Monash got back into the game and a quick through ball from Marcus Schroen fell invitingly into the path of Muscara who accelerated away from his defender and placed his shot low into the corner of the net. At 1 - 1, Monash were back in the game and played more good football. With seconds of the first half remaining, the midfield combined well across the edge of the Mornington box, with Schroen again flicking the final pass into the path of Muscara who controlled first time and clipped his shot sweetly past the Mornington keeper to put Monash into a commanding 2 - 1 lead on the stroke of half time.

In the second half the Monash team consiolidated and were happy to soak up speculative medium range balls by the Mornington midfield. Brown found space on the left wing and nearly set up a third for Monash with a hard low cross to the back post for Stipo who had is effort intercepted by some good Mornington defending, the ball deflecting over the bar from close range from a corner. Mornington moved 4 players into the attack to try and find a goal, but the defence stood firm. Curran Ferns cleared off the line in the final minutes when Mornington thought they had found the equaliser. The game finished with an important 2 - 1 win.   

Game vs Knox City (27 April 2008)

(1 - 0 Win, Scorer: J. Muscara, penalty )

Unfortunately the opening game of the season was spoilt by rough play and silly fouls from a Knox side not interested in playing football. Not much good football was allowed,  but the Monash players kept going and ironically got their breakthrough late in the second half from a penalty. After some good combination play on the edge of the area, Chris Fangou was chopped down as he went clear to shoot on goal. Frangou had to leave the field injured and James Muscara stepped up to slam the ball home to give the Monash squad all three points. Next week the players will hope to find the opposition in the mood for a real game.

PRE-SEASON MATCH REPORTS

Game vs South Melbourne U15 A (24 April 2008)

(5 - 1, Scorers: K. Brown, F. Azizi, S. Andrijasevic, C. Ferns, A. Hameed, )

Game vs Sunshine George Cross U15 A (20 April 2008)

(8 - 0, Scorers: S. Andrijasevic x 2, J. Vassiliou x 2, A. Hameed, J. Muscara)

Game vs Knox City U15 SL (13 April 2008)

(4 - 1, Scorers: A. Anastasio x 2, C. Frangou, M. Schroen)

Game vs FC Bulleen Lions U15 SL (29 March 2008)

(0 - 1)

Match Report to follow....

Game vs Altona Magic U15 SL (22 March 2008)

(5 - 2, Scorers: S. Andrijasevic x 3, K. Brown, C. Ferns)

Stipo Andrijasevic scored his second hat-trick in 2 weeks to help Monash secure a 5 - 2 win against Altona Magic. Although Monash dominated the first half, Altona took a 1 - 0 half time lead after Curran Ferns deflected a shot into his own net. Kojo Brown restored a level score 10 minutes into the second half with a equaliser from close range, latching on to a cross from the left wing by Chris Frangou. Brown hit the wood-work 4 times in the match and was happy to see one effort cross the line. After Stipo had given Monash a 2 - 1 lead from a fortunate rebound, Altona hit back with a fast counter-attack to level the game at 2 - 2. Monash turned up the heat and Stipo headed in a cross from Anthony Anastasio following a string of good passing through the midfield from the defence. At 3 -2 Monash started to dominate and Ferns moved into midfield to lash a 25 m half-volley that dipped under the bar to give the Altona keeper no chance and put Monash in command with a 4 - 2 lead. With a minute ramining Stipo completed a hat-trick with a neatly struck long range shot that clipped the inside of the post and settled the game at 5 -2

Manchester United U15 Cup (8, 9 and 16 March 2008)

Group Phase 

• Green Gully (2 - 1, Scorers: K. Brown, M. Schroen)
• Preston Lions (3 - 1, Scorers: K. Brown, C. Ferns, B. Liolios) 
• Geelong (6 - 0, Scorers: S. Andrijasevic x 3, C. Frangou, F. Azizi, M. Schroen)  

Last 16 Elimination Finals

• North Caulfield (0 - 1)

Game vs North Caulfield U15 SL (2 March 2008)

(2 - 1, Scorers: M. Schroen, A. Anastasio)

A very competitive game with the Monash boys showing they had started to adapt to the pace and physicality of the U15s competition. Marcus Schroen put the team 1 - 0 in the first half after classy combination play involving good wing play from Jordan Michaelis. Although Monash had the better chances throughout the first half, Caulfield equalised from a long throughball. The Caulfield forward was very tall and used his height to great effect to lunge past two defenders and prod the ball over goalkeeper Alistair Bray. With minutes of the second period remaining, Anthony Anastasio ran at the defence and had his first shot blocked by a wall of defenders, Anastasio kept running onto the rebound and lashed a second attempt into the corner of the net across he face of the Caulfield keeper. A well fought 2 - 1 win.  

Game vs Fawkner Blues U15 SL (29 Feb 2008)

(2 - 0, Scorers: M. Schroen pen., F. Azizi)

Fawkner provided spirited opposition for this Friday night game at DISC. Monash had all the play in the first third, but it took a penalty from a foul on Kojo Brown to break down the Fawkner defense. Marcus Schroen slotted the penalty to put the side 1 - 0 up. In the second third, Feston Azizi was given a through-ball from Chris Frangou and hit his shot hard and low to put the game at 2 - 0. Fawkner raised their game in the last third and missed two close chances. The game finished 2 - 0. 

Game vs Essendon Royals U15 SL (24 Feb 2008)

(4 - 3, Scorers: K. Brown x 3, J. Muscara)

Kojo Brown scored his first hat-trick for Monash, capped-off with a winner scored in the final 2 minutes of the game. Brown made a well timed run between the Essendon defenders to receive a Billy Liolios pass on the chest which he controlled in the box and then unleashed an unstoppable drive when the game looked like finishing in a draw. The first half was arguably the most entertaining half of football seen by the U15s for some time. Essendon took the early lead in the game to go 1 - 0 up within 10 minutes, only for Brown to equalise 90 seconds later after closing the keeper down and forcing a rebound from the keepers kick into the Essendon net to make it 1 - 1. Minutes later Essendon won a corner and the resultant cross was headed by a Monash defender to the edge of the box only to be met with a first-time volley which flew past keeper Alistair Bray to put Essendon back in the lead at 2 - 1. Monash went forward again and Brown was sent clear from the left side and he sprinted into the box to sweep his shot low past the Essendon keeper to restore the game to a draw at 2 - 2. Brown was then involved in the goal action again, this time dragged down in the penalty box to be awarded a penalty. The spot-kick was missed and this kept Essendon in the game. Monash were then punished, a mis-placed back-heel was intercepted shortly after the penalty,  allowing an Essendon forward to race into the box and cooly chip Bray to restore Essendon's lead once again with a 3 - 2 advantage. Marcus Schroen came close with a glancing header that went over the bar, but Monash went into half time behind. After some changes at half-time, Monash went into the second period more settled, and worked the ball better to dominate much of the play. A great solo effort from James Muscara gave Monash a deserved equaliser mid-way through the second half. Muscara took-on two defenders then thumped his shot into the net to make it 3 - 3. Schroen nearly scored, but his free-kick was saved, and Curran Ferns also came close with a header on goal from a corner which forced a low save from the Essendon keeper. The game was fast-paced throughout and eventually the hard work paid off with Brown's late winner to make it 4 - 3.       

Game vs Sunshine Heights U15 SL (17 Feb 2008)

(4 - 1, Scorers: J. Muscara x 3, K. Brown)

The third pre-season friendly game for the Monash U15s was played in hot conditions on a sticky artificial grass surface. Sunshine Heights have always provided good competition and with the warm conditions it was anticipated they might prove tricky opposition. The game was played in 3 x 25 minute thirds. Monash played a intelligent passing game to save their energy and were unlucky not to go two goals up in the first 10 minutes. However, it was Sunshine that took the lead. An attack from the Sunshine right side was not closed down, a cross into the box resulted, and the ball ended up bouncing over the Monash defenders in the penalty box. A Sunshine forward was the first to react and lobbed a reverse angle shot over goalkeeper Alan Bray to put the western suburbs team 1 - 0 up. Monash however kept composed, and equalised through James Muscara after a solid build up involving 6 crisp passes from defence and through the midfield. Monash might have scored two more goals. Marcus Schroen had a goal disallowed for a 'mysterious' offside decision, and Stipo crashed the underside of the bar with a powerful drive. In the second period the Monash passing game went up a gear which resulted in 3 goals. Muscara converted another two, and Kojo Brown slotted home from a fine through-ball by Chris Frangou. The final third was a bit scrappy with both teams tiring and rotating players. Stipo had two good chances, placing one shot over from close range. A comfortable win given the conditions. Hopefully it will be cooler with a later 7.30 pm kick-off against Essendon Royals next week.     

Game vs Preston Lions U16 SL (10 Feb 2008)

(1 - 3, Scorer: A. Hameed)

Another tough game for the Monash U15s playing against an older side consisting of 6 State Country squad representatives. The game was played over 2 x 40 minute halves. The Monash players were under pressure defending the wind first half and this caused them problems from free-kicks. Preston took the lead withi 10 minutes from a free kick that wet straight through the Monash wall. After a shaky few minutes the players got into the game and built a few dangerous attacks. The Preston players were very physical and were very boisterous with their play. Chris Frangou received a thumping knock from a late slide tackle and had to leave the field just before the end of the half. Frangou had a swollen shin and was unable to continue. After peppering the Preston defence with a crossed ball, Ali Hameed was first to stab a lose ball in the box to level the game 1 - 1. However, within the last 7 minutes of the half, two consecutive lapses in concentration allowed Preston two gaols and to take a 3 - 1 lead. The players failed to react quickly enough to defend two free kicks and this allowed Preston to gain the advantage. In the second half Monash's team play began to consolidate and the backline defended well through the trio of Danial Ayad, Curran Ferns and Dom Dimanche. This allowed an extra midfielder to be pushed in the centre and Monash dominated the play, particularly in the last 20 minutes. Preston were getting frustrated and eventaully one of their players received a red card for a very late tackle. Kojo Brown and James Muscara both had good chances to score, but placed their shots just wide of the post. An encouraging performance in such physical surroundings.

Game vs North Caulfield U15 SL (3 Feb 2008)

(2 - 2, Scorers: B. Liolios, S. Andrijasevic) 

The first pres-season hit out for 2008 was a chance for all the players to familiarise themselves with a new team and team mates. Five new players made their official debut in a very competitive contest. The game was played in 3 x 25 min thirds to allow all the players to be structured in 3 different team formations. The team probably responded best to the structure of the first third, dominating the game and rewarded by  taking a comfortable 2 - 0 lead. Kojo Brown set the first goal up after 5 mins with a delicate deep cross to find Billy Liolios arriving in the Box. A one touch control then a nicely placed shot gave the Caulfield keeper no chance. Within 10 minutes the lead was doubled, Stipo found himself with space on the right side and let fly a poweferful dipping cross that was not held by the keeper and deflected into the net. In the last two thirds.the Monash team lost concentration after the rotational changes and formation changes and this allowed Caulfield to snatch 2 goals and level the game at 2 - 2.  A defensive lapse led to the first goal, then the team was unfortunate to be caught on a counter-attack break-away after a free-kick was cleared. Stelios was left to defend a 1 v 1 with the Caulfield striker who dribbled well and let fly a terrific shot to level the game with minutes remaining. Overall, the players 'jelled' well in many aspects of their technical play, however the relative understanding of roles and responsibilities within the team was clearly lacking and this allowed a vigorous Caulfield team to exploit errors and free spaces in the midfield. The Monash team was denied two goals for questionable off-side calls by the referee. Marcus Schroen flicked a cross from a free-kick into the net with seconds remaining but his goal was amazingly ruled as offside? A few players were also guilty of turnovers from mis-directed passes which should be rectified as the pre-season progresses. Next week the players face similar competition from U16 Preston Lions team and will have to concentrate harder to maintain their composure.

Team Fixtures & Results

[Back to top]

Date	Time	Team	Venue	Results
3-2-08	6 pm	North Caulfield U15 SL	DISC (Thornbury)	2 - 2 (draw)
10-2-08	6 pm	Preston Lions U16 SL	DISC (Thornbury)	1 - 3 (loss)
17-2-08	6 pm	Sunshine Heights U15 SL	DISC (Thornbury)	4 - 1 (win)
24-2-08	7.30 pm	Essendon Royals U15 SL	DISC (Thornbury)	4 - 3 (win)
29-2-08	8.30 pm	Fawkner Blues U15 SL	DISC (Thornbury)	2 - 0 (win)
2-3-08	4.30 pm	North Caulfield U15 SL	DISC (Thornbury)	2 - 1 (win)
8-9-08
8-9-08
9-9-08

[Back to top]