2019 Shepparton Tournament

Team Reports

Altona City Soccer Club had a number of teams compete in the AFS Shepparton Tournament on 25-27 October 2019.

Over the years Altona City has sent many teams up to Shepparton to compete, but 2019 was a bumper year with six Altona City teams competing from ages U10s to U16s.

As always, they gave it their all, played fair and represented our club with pride. Congratulations to all teams who played in our final junior tournament of 2019! And special thanks to coaches and parents who assisted over the weekend.

U10s Shepparton Report

The drive up to Shepparton was filled with excitement but also uncertainty. The U10 Kangas had spots to be filled to have a full squad – we had players from 6 teams (U10 down to U8).

In our group, we had Keilor Park, Sydenham and Eltham Redbacks (winner of the Cup). It was a busy afternoon with the 1st game at 2.15pm and the last at 6pm.

Our first game saw us taking the lead against Keilor in the 1st half, hoping for a win in our first game. But luck wasn’t on our side and they scored a couple of minutes before the end.

The start against Sydenham decided the game. They scored early goals and led 3:0 at halftime. No scores on either side in the 2nd half – we were working hard to get a deserved goal, but it wasn’t to be.

The last game was against the best team in the competition. Again, we missed the first half and were trailing two goals. They got another one early in the 2nd half. But before the final whistle, we saw the best team play of the tournament – 5 players to set up a beautiful finish against 3 charging players. Only the runners-up managed to score against this strong team.

On Sunday we played North Geelong (Runners-Up Plate) in quarter finals, and we were the better side. Unfortunately, they took one early chance and we tried for the remaining 25 minutes to find the back of the net.

Overall we saw a tremendous effort of 12 players forming one team showing what team spirit can produce. Well done to everyone!

U11s Shepparton Report

U11 Kangas had a tough group with 3 NPL teams which were a real test for the boys.

Our first game was against Box Hill A and we were very competitive and should have taken all 3 points but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The next game was against Northcote. Similar to the first – dominated most of the game, numerous chances but lacked a bit of polish upfront, and then went behind against the run of play losing 1-0 in the end.

Our last game of the group stage was against North Geelong which was too strong and too good beating us 5-0. The positives of this game were our GK Charlie pulled off some great saves and the boys didn’t give up and fought it out to the end.

Sunday saw us playing off for the Plate and our first test was against South Melbourne and we were up for it. South hit the crossbar twice in the first 5 minutes but that was it, from then on we totally controlled the game going in at halftime 3-0 up.

The boys went out in the second half, scored another to make it 4 but could have been a lot more. Christian Galea and Kosta run amok in midfield both scoring a great goal each, Jack Hyland scoring 2 and Will O’Conner a rock in defence. We ended up 4-0 winners.

This put as in the quarter final against Whittlesea Rangers. This was a tough game with not many chances for both teams. I thought we just had the better of them and we were able to get the only goal of the game before half time. The second half didn’t see many chances created from both teams but it was still tense and we finished  1-0 winners.

So we moved on to the semi final against Box Hill A again.

What a typical Cup game – it had everything. The first half was even both teams had chances 0-0 at half time. Second half we came out better of the two teams but not being able to take our chances proved costly as they were able to score the only goal of the game. The last 10 minutes was so intense with the crowd getting vocal, our boys creating chance after chance, referee making some very bad decisions which didn’t go our way and unfortunately, time ran out for us.

In the end, we lost 1-0 and our weekend was over. It was a great weekend and the boys were competitive and played well and I think we’ll be better next year.

U12s Shepparton Report

The U12s traveled to Shepparton knowing that as a group this would be our last lot of games together, with the coach and several players moving onto other clubs in 2020.

We were drawn in group B with Box Hill, Rowville Eagles, and Red Sea.

Friday 7pm was our first game against Box Hill. The ground was in great condition, but the wind would play a big factor in the game. We started with a 1-4-4-2 formation, however, the boys found it hard to get out of their half against the wind and the pressure applied by Box Hill, eventually, this was too much and they scored their first goal. An unlucky deflection while clearing the ball in the 6-yard box, we conceded another goal.

Half time called for a change and we moved to a 1-3-5-2 formation. With the wind behind us and the extra number in the midfield, we were able to create a few chances. Unfortunately, we were not able to finish off the good play. Box Hill broke forward and they were awarded a penalty with an unintentional handball. 3-0 was the final score, but it was a much better second half by the boys.

Our next two games were to be played on Saturday at the Mooroopna grounds, where we would meet Rowville Eagles and Red Sea. We continued with the 1-3-5-2 formation that worked well for us the day before. Again, we created plenty of chances, but we were unable to hit the back of the net. A late challenge in the box saw us convert from the penalty spot and go up 1-0 and win the game.

Our final game against the top team Red Sea was to be our biggest challenge for our small squad. We went down to an early goal, but some forward pressure allowed us to pinch the ball from the goalkeeper and level up the score to 1-1. The boys lifted and gave Red Sea a run for their money. Unfortunately, a lack of concentration allowed Red Sea to get their second goal. Again, we had the chance to equalise but couldn’t get enough purchase on the shot to beat the keeper. Red Sea went on to score 2 more times with the score ending 4-1.

We finished 3rd in our group and advanced into the Plate quarter finals against Whittlesea Rangers (P). With an 8am start it was tough for the boys, but they were up early and ready to play.

We dominated the early part of the game, creating three 1 on 1 opportunities which we did not convert. Whittlesea pushed forward and a cross come shot struck the back post and went in. Whittlesea then made it 2-0, from a long-range free-kick that the keeper could not keep out. With the first half finishing 3-0, the second half instructions were to push forward. We managed to get one back but as always when you push numbers forward, you leave yourself exposed at the back. The game finished 4-1 and ultimately ending our tournament.

The boys were noticeably upset to go out the way they did, but we ended with a heart-to-heart and reflected on our time together over the past 3 years.

U13As Shepparton Report

U13A was drawn group C against Sydenham Park, Berwick Lions and Clarinda. Our 1st game came against Sydenham Park where we won the game 3-0 in a very good display of soccer, we then came up against Berwick Lions where we lost 1-0, our passing and decision making let us down in this game but was happy with the overall game to keep Berwick to only 1 goal.

Last game was against Clarinda where we won 3-2 in a very physical game where most of the Clarinda players towering over our players, we kept up with the physicality and some very confusing decisions by the ref to come away with the win to top the group with 2 wins and 1 loss.

Sunday we came up against Bundoora United which was also a very physical game losing 1-0 at half time. We talked about never giving up, 2nd half started and Bundoora scored quickly which shattered the boys but to their credit, the boys kept pushing and eventually got a goal back. Bundoora put the game at rest just before full time with the very well taken free-kick to end our Shepparton Cup campaign 3-1.

To top the group was a huge credit to the boys. I am very proud to have coached these boys this season. Well done to all involved.

U14As Shepparton Report

U14A boys drew a tricky group. 2 NPL teams and a NSW country Champion.

We had a fantastic start by shocking Berwick with a 5-0 victory. We were then up against the eventual Shepparton Cup winners and currently arguably the best U14s team in Australia: Pascoe Vale. Our boys put in a fantastic effort, conditions and refereeing probably not in our favour saw us go down. We had a man sent off and a penalty miss.

3rd game basically meant win and we are going into finals or lose and we were going home.

Altona City put in a dominant performance taking the win 5-2.

Quarter Final Altona City drew Current NPL S/E champions who were undefeated all season.

Massive underdogs, we come out shocking Oakleigh going ahead 1-0. Unfortunately, we then conceded 1 and then unluckily turned the ball into our own net.

Great effort by our U14A community boys to make it to the finals.

See the U14 action shots taken at the tournament at the end of this article. 

16As Shepparton Report

The u16A side traveled to Shepparton high on enthusiasm!

We were drawn against Ringwood (A grade Eats League winners), Elite Football Development Academy (EFDA) and GV Suns NPL U15s.

Our Saturday matches started late with the first game at 3pm and final game at 8pm.

Although we drew the first game 0-0 against Ringwood, the game was very positive with quite a few chances created against very competitive opposition.

Our second game against EFDA proved to be more challenging, and although EFDA were able to hold possession, it was our disturbance of possession that was creating chances and we went 1-0 after winning the ball back in our front third.

The final game against GV Suns NPL U15s, saw us win 2-0 after being 0-0 at half time with their GK being very busy and pulling off some great saves.

The third game was made all the more challenging with multiple players cramping up.

We needed a good rest to come up for the midday quarter final against Group D winners FTS Black, another academy.

I thought we would need to be cautious in this game, however, our intensity was proving to be too much for FTS Black creating numerous chances.

Unfortunately, we did not take any and after the referee waved on a stonewall penalty, FTS took advantage and flicked on a cross for the opening goal just before half time.

The boys were devastated and highly upset by what they saw as an injustice. Some spirited words from the boys at half time and they were raring to go.

We hit the post twice in the second half coming so close, but it just wasn’t to be in a game when the “football gods” just weren’t on our side.

A great tournament from the boys to come second in a very competitive group and round out our season.