It’s all or nothing for our our First Grade Men and U20’s teams this Saturday as they both head into the last Preliminary Final of the Championship Series. A win will secure them a position in the Grand Final the following weekend.
Our First Grade Men had a stellar performance last Saturday against Western Sydney Wanderers, clinching a 5-0 win at Wanderers Football Park. ‘Shev is on fire’ were the lyrics sung loud in the changing rooms after the game, with front man Shervin Adeli completing an impressive hattrick with back-to-back goals.
‘Very happy to have scored a hattrick and help the team get to the Preliminary Final’ said Adeli. ‘The way the team is playing makes it easy for me. We have had some great games against CCM and I’m looking forward to beating them at their home ground’.
This takes Adeli to the top of the Goal scorer Leaderboard for the Championship Series with 4 goals under his belt. This takes him to a total of 11 goals this season, finishing the regular season on 7 goals.
Ollie Wiggin and Lachie Lloyd joined Adeli on the scoresheet shortly after in the second half, sealing the deal on the 5-0 win. Assistant Coach Chris Adams and his squad are filled with confidence heading into Saturdays fixture, but know it will be a tough battle.
‘It’s been a great finals experience so far for us as a squad and we know what is at stake in this weekends game against the Mariners’ said Adams. ‘It will be our toughest challenge yet playing the League winners but we have full confidence as a squad that we can go and get the result to send us through to the Grand Final and a shot at some silverware’.
Our U20’s had a tough fixture at Pluim Park last Sunday, coming away with a 3-0 loss against league winners Central Coast Mariners Academy. Despite not getting this win, Head Coach Raphael Blanchon is confident the team will bounce back with a solid performance.
‘We did not get the result we were looking for despite a good performance’ said Blanchon. ‘We’re looking forward to bouncing back on Saturday’.
This Saturday they face Western Sydney Wanderers yet again. The last time the sides met was a short two weeks ago in the Minor Semi-Final at Valentine Sports Park. Will DiMartino was the hero finding the back of the net in the dying minutes to secure the 4-3 win. The same level of determination and grit will be needed again this Saturday.
Technical Director Jason Eagar is proud of the teams and is also looking forward to the challenge this Saturday.
‘As a Club we should be proud to see the Senior Men’s First Grade and U20 teams contesting for a place in the Grand Final next weekend.’ said Eagar. ‘With both teams playing against A-League Academies, it will be a great challenge and the Tigers players will give it everything they have. The First Grade boys are playing with a lot of confidence and have a full squad ready to go, Hetty and Chris will have them well prepared – I’m looking forward to the games on Saturday’.
To watch the First Grade fixture against Central Coast Mariners Academy this Saturday, head to NPL.TV https://npl.tv/football/football-nsw/football-nsw-league-one/
