Date Sunday 12th June 2016
Teams Brunswick Zebras SC vs Castlemaine Goldfields FC
Location Brunswick

Half time score 0 – 1
Full time score 1 – 1

League position 4th

Report Tony Cormack

An cool early kick off at Brunswick’s Sumner Park saw the Men humbled for the first time this season. With three of their regular starting players unavailable in key positions and a handful of players under par on the day a youthful Brunswick squad with a full bench served a reminder to the Mainers that striving for the top spot this season won’t be easy.

The Zebras’ squad were a tight bunch having all played together last season as U17’s. Their youth, organisation and chemistry were clearly on show with the home team dominating possession in the first 30 minutes. Castlemaine real struggled in that period to win any meaningful possession and were restricted to long ball attempts to forward Sunday Lam, who for the first time this season came up against a defence youthful enough to handle his pace. Brunswick were very unlucky not to be 3 nil up at this stage, but Castlemaine were saved on multiple occasions; by last ditch tackles from Davide Richardson, a crucial save from keeper Jules Whitcroft-McGlade and a goal flagged for offside. The Maine were in disarray.

Yet for all their threat, the young Brunswick Zebras lacked a clinical touch in the final third and just couldn’t convert possession in to goals. In the 35th minute completely against the run of play, Mikael Alexis turned the game for Castlemaine with one of the goals of the season. A challenge, by captain ‘Jono’ Burris, fell to Mikael who took a quick first touch and then hit a pile-driver from 25 yards – that slowly rose as it headed towards the crossbar, skimming in off its underside, leaving players and spectators alike with ope mouths. What a Goal! The Zebras were stunned. We were stunned, and 1 nil up. The goal clearly shook the young Zebra’s allowing Castlemaine to retain a bit more of the ball until half time, who were massively relieved to go into the break 1-nil up.

The Zebras started the second half how they did the first – dominating possession, using their youth and pace and forcing pressure on the Castlemaine goal. Again Castlemaine, were very much off colour and struggled to retain any sort of possession or shape. Somehow they managed to hold out a number of promising moves from the Zebras, but deservedly the young lads finally got on the score sheet in the 70th minute. A turnover on our left, allowed the Zebras to work the ball down their right wing, from where their winger hit a perfect cross, the unmarked Brunswick striker obliging with a thumping header. It was 1 -1, with 20mins to go.

Those final 20 minutes felt more like 3 hours, with the Zebras continuing to dominate and press for the winner. Castlemaine were reduced to occasional balls down the wings or to Sunday upfront to relieve some pressure but the action was mostly in an around their own box. The Mainers though dug deep and to their credit, compressed their shape, and weathered the storm. Some big hits from Jim Kourkoulakos and Tony Cormack allowed some time to be eaten up, while Jules had a number of crucial fine saves later on. Somehow though totally outplayed at the final whistle the boys had picked up a point. Only time will tell but already this feels like a very crucial point towards the final standings, especially with Castlemaine due to host Brunswick at home on the last day of the season.

The draw felt like a win to me – very pleased to steal a point off our hosts. It illustrated we have quite a bit of work to do if we want to compete against the better teams in our division. However, when we dig in & band together as a unit, we have the capacity to punch well above our weight.

Senior Mens Player/Coach – Jimmy Kourkoulakos

Next Game Round 10 – away to Mitchell Rangers Sunday 19th 1pm – Broadford Secondary College, 10 Pinniger Street, Broadford

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Scorers Mikael Alexis 1

Another moment of magical footwork from Mikael Alexis in midfield.

Date Sunday 5th June 2016
Teams Castlemaine Goldfields FC vs Western Eagles SC
Location Chewton

Half time score 0 – 2
Full time score 3 – 2

League position 3rd

Report Tony Cormack

Not quite the result the Men were hoping for today, but still an impressive performance over the 90 minutes against the best team they have faced so far this season. By the end the result could have gone the other way, but the Western Eagles managed to take their chances and the 3 points.

After last weeks big win, Castlemaine were always expecting a tougher challenge in this second of back to back home matches. After last weeks red card Castlemaine were also without starting keeper Jules Whitcroft-McGlade – even so going in to the game undefeated at home and after the win last week confidence was high.

From the whistle the Eagles looked composed and quickly imposed themselves, playing quick one touch football in attack and being first to the ball in defence. The Maine defence held firm in the early exchanges restricting Western Eagles to speculative long range shots. As the half wore on Castlemaine were getting stretched in midfield with ‘Jono’ Burris and Mikael Alexis working hard to press and hassle the Eagles into mistakes. With Sunday Lam upfront for his third start of the season, The Maine were a constant threat on the break and even after the early pressure from the Eagles it was still Castlemaine who had had the better scoring opportunities, Sunday having been denied twice by big saves from the opposition’s keeper. It was the Eagles, however, who would unlock the scoring with a well worked cross from the left finding an unmarked run into the box that was chested into the Castlemaine goal. After the goal Castlemaine continued to look to hit Sunday up front who would again be denied by the Eagles’ keeper. The second goal of the match fell to the Eagles when a rocket strike swerved and dipped on stand in keeper Dom Crinson to give the opposition a 2 goal lead at half time.

The second half would be a different story, with Castlemaine determined to fight their way back in to the game. Playing on the front foot from the restart, the Mainers pressed hard to deny their opponents the time on the ball they had been afforded in the first half. This half was being much more evenly contested and with more time on the ball the momentum was shifting Castlemaine’s way. Sunday’s pace upfront was a constant threat and it was no big surprise when he finally got one past the Eagles keeper. Running on to a perfectly weighted through ball from Jim Kourkoulakos. Cutting in from the left Sunday used his pace to stay ahead of two defenders bending a perfect shot into the far side of the goal.

Player/Coach ‘Jimmy’ Kourkoulakos fighting for the ball in midfield

At 1-2 the momentum continued to shift further to the home team. Good attacking opportunities fell to a number of Castlemaine players with Sunday, Rainer Canobie-Harris and Mikael all unlucky not to add to the scoreline. Against the run of play though, Castlemaine were punished when a cross from the left wasn’t cleared and the Eagles converted a scrappy effort, restoring their 2 goal lead.

Winger Rainer Canobie-Harris was unlucky not to get on the score sheet against a very good Western Eagles side.

It wasn’t meant to be today, but not due to a lack of trying. I was very impressed with our attitude in that second half – digging deep collectively and taking control of the game from our opponents. I loved the drums going off on the sidelines, and have been told they may return with a few more to future home games. They added to the great atmosphere and tension, especially in the last 30 minutes.

Senior Mens Player/Coach – Jimmy Kourkoulakos

Playing with intensity over the whole 90 has become a real quality of this seasons’ Castlemaine squad and so the lads continued pushing, enjoying more possession & creating more chances. With only 8 minutes to go, ‘Jono’ bent over a lofted cross picking out Angus Doyle. Stealing in from the left Angus brought the ball down with his first touch and smashed a dipping right footed shot to leave the Eagles keeper no chance. At 2-3 the Maine were back in it and pushing to get something from the game with the clock ticking down fast. The Eagles were buckling under a barrage of pressure as the Maine threw more players forward desperate to get at least a point, but it wasn’t meant to be, Castlemaine dropping points at home for the first time this season as Western Eagles took all three points.

The club would like to thank James Gunter from Gisborne SC for reffing the game this weekend at very late notice.

Next Game Round 09 – away to Brunswick Zebras Sunday 12th 11.30pm – Sumner Park, Allister Street, Brunswick

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Scorers
Sunday Lam 1
Angus Doyle1

Assists
Jim Kourkoulakos 1
Jono Burris1