2013 Zone League 2 Thread

[ramsbelong@jesmondpark]

Jeso 3 v Merewether 1 and reggies 2-1.
For a team that potentially had everything to play for, we were quite disjointed in the first half, going to the sheds 0-1 after a well taken Merewether goal. We had the majority of the ball but couldn't create any more than 3 chances. We did have our striker taken down twice from behind in the box without a pen, the second resulting in him needing to be substituted at half time.
We had a good chat at the break, didnt sound the alarm bells and in the second half our chances created must have reached double figures. After initially appearing that it wasn't going to be our day, a superb free kick was followed by a neat finish from our other striker and then the same bloke finished off a nice goal at the back stick.
Strange to see their captain playing a big part in reggies when they appeared to have many numbers, he did appear buggered after firsts and rightly so.
Congrats to Merewether who dug in and had a go. I've seen them a few times and even when outclassed they continue to fight and do themselves proud. They don't get dirty or start crap like others might, good to see.
Big congrats to Musswellbrook on their minor premiership. Most other years our points accumulated would have been more than enough but came across you guys who in the end were too consistent. I'd love to see you in the g/f but we both have bloody hard opponents to conquer first.

[SK15]

Thanks Dingdong! Agree with all you have said, Hamilton really strong in the first half and put us under some real pressure. Pauly (as always) and Lucas up front were class! Second half we pulled our fingers out but and came away with the points. Stoked to have clinched it in what was again, a really good really competitive game. Hats off to Olympic a bit of niggle on the pitch but afterwards their attitudes were top notch and we had a chat and a beer. I've said it before, but that is what local football is all about! Cheers for the game Olympic and your hospitality, really well fought and unfortunate you aren't there in the finals, a quality team. Off for some beers, congrats to all the teams that have made the finals. Will be a good contest!!!

Thanks for the game Mussy. Classy team with their ability and attitudes. The ref was also good yesterday and I can't complain about not making the finals.

[The Dreaded Keeper]

I'd like to put out a "Coach of the year" nomination for the Muswellbrook head coach, Thom "TXK" Kane. He's taken a side who last year didn't make the semi's, lost more than we gained in player movements in the off season, and turned us into the minor prems.

He's brought reserve graders of 2012 into the side, along with an U17's player from last year. He's changed formations, playing styles of individuals and the team as a whole. He's studied other sides on recon trips down the valley and prepped game plans to suit. He's turned a team who historically are all about pace and attacking ability, into a patient side with the best defensive record across the season, using three fullbacks aged 23, 20 & 18. Incredible. He's achieved all of this with a first grade turnout of 6-8 at most training sessions due to shift work.

He's 23 years old I believe and has a football brain that can't be beat. One of the best coaches I've come across, and a top bloke to boot. Congrats on the minor (major) premiership Thommy-you deserve it mate!!!

[sharky21]

Dnt do ur mob any injustice by using the word "minor". U boys are Premiers nothing minor about it. Who ever wins the gf are grandfinal winners.
If a team who finished fourth win the gf there is no way they should be talked of as greater the the team who came first over the whole season.

Congrats once again on becoming Premiers.

[namwob99]

Dnt do ur mob any injustice by using the word "minor". U boys are Premiers nothing minor about it. Who ever wins the gf are grandfinal winners.
If a team who finished fourth win the gf there is no way they should be talked of as greater the the team who came first over the whole season.

Congrats once again on becoming Premiers.

On the money Blackman. Lol

[Robbery]

Jeso 3 v Merewether 1 and reggies 2-1.
For a team that potentially had everything to play for, we were quite disjointed in the first half, going to the sheds 0-1 after a well taken Merewether goal. We had the majority of the ball but couldn't create any more than 3 chances. We did have our striker taken down twice from behind in the box without a pen, the second resulting in him needing to be substituted at half time.
We had a good chat at the break, didnt sound the alarm bells and in the second half our chances created must have reached double figures. After initially appearing that it wasn't going to be our day, a superb free kick was followed by a neat finish from our other striker and then the same bloke finished off a nice goal at the back stick.
Strange to see their captain playing a big part in reggies when they appeared to have many numbers, he did appear buggered after firsts and rightly so.
Congrats to Merewether who dug in and had a go. I've seen them a few times and even when outclassed they continue to fight and do themselves proud. They don't get dirty or start crap like others might, good to see.
Big congrats to Musswellbrook on their minor premiership. Most other years our points accumulated would have been more than enough but came across you guys who in the end were too consistent. I'd love to see you in the g/f but we both have bloody hard opponents to conquer first.

To be fair I did play at least 2 games a week last season due to lack of numbers and always put my hand up to play if we are short on numbers and only came on yesterday for a player who had to run a half marathon today as we only had one sub spare. Was rather buggered after the game and a half but helping the club out when I can is the main thing as we didn't have too much to play for. Your guys should have had one pen in firsts which was clear cut but somehow the ref missed it. Second half you definitely had the dominance and did also miss a couple of clear chances in amongst a budgie causing some havoc and swooping the keeper ha. As I said previously it has been hard losing 9 first graders from last year but the guys this year have put in as much as they could and its actually been quite an enjoyable year despite the results.

[Cabaye#4]

Can anyone confirm this?

1st Leg
Saturday 31st @ Rathmines Oval
3pm Mussy v Westlakes
115pm Uni v Charlestown

Sunday 1st @ Charlestown Oval
3pm Jeso v Charlestown
115pm Olympic v Westlakes

2nd Leg
Saturday 7th @ Jesmond Park
3pm Charlestown v Jeso
115pm Westlakes v Olympic

Sunday 8th @ Victoria Park
3pm Westlakes v Mussy
115pm Charlestown v Uni

This would be correct as per post a few ages ago, but can anyone confirm?

[Charlie Bubblegum]

So darn keen to see my boy Murray do a goal for Uni!

[Charlie Bubblegum]

I'd like to put out a "Coach of the year" nomination for the Muswellbrook head coach, Thom "TXK" Kane. He's taken a side who last year didn't make the semi's, lost more than we gained in player movements in the off season, and turned us into the minor prems.

He's brought reserve graders of 2012 into the side, along with an U17's player from last year. He's changed formations, playing styles of individuals and the team as a whole. He's studied other sides on recon trips down the valley and prepped game plans to suit. He's turned a team who historically are all about pace and attacking ability, into a patient side with the best defensive record across the season, using three fullbacks aged 23, 20 & 18. Incredible. He's achieved all of this with a first grade turnout of 6-8 at most training sessions due to shift work.

He's 23 years old I believe and has a football brain that can't be beat. One of the best coaches I've come across, and a top bloke to boot. Congrats on the minor (major) premiership Thommy-you deserve it mate!!!

He knows how to spend. He bought himself a fairly versatile blob from Wollongong and converted him into a wing back and an amazing midfielder from Liverpoop (the town, not the pretend premier league team, they are still in the premier league right?)
But really, great mate and an amazing Manager. He not only got us a premiership, he changed the culture of the club.

[Itsmuz]

So darn keen to see my boy Murray do a goal for Uni!

Hahahaha
For you, mate, I'll do my best.

[pv4]

Can anyone confirm this?

1st Leg
Saturday 31st @ Rathmines Oval
3pm Mussy v Westlakes
115pm Uni v Charlestown

Sunday 1st @ Charlestown Oval
3pm Jeso v Charlestown
115pm Olympic v Westlakes

2nd Leg
Saturday 7th @ Jesmond Park
3pm Charlestown v Jeso
115pm Westlakes v Olympic

Sunday 8th @ Victoria Park
3pm Westlakes v Mussy
115pm Charlestown v Uni

This would be correct as per post a few ages ago, but can anyone confirm?

I'm under the impression that the rough plan was as posted, but clubs can ask for a change of day here or there if they can't host for a particular reason. And I'm under the impression (from a brief chat) that Mussy may not be able to host Sunday-week, and may need to change to the Sat, so I assume it will be 1v4 @ Rathmines this Sun, 1v4 @ Mussy next Sat, and 2v3 to have the inverse days to that. That's me assuming, btw.

[Itsmuz]

Also want to extend my congrats to mussy (and 'TXK') for getting minor premiers. Good team and a great bunch of guys (and the only team i've had the pleasure of playing a full game of firsts and reggies against) and it's even more impressive when you consider the distance they have to travel every second week. They play the game in the right spirit and have shown us all what park football is about. So cheers and congrats. I'll be sad if you fellas go up to ZL1, but wouldnt hold it against you as you earned it more than any other club.

Also wish to thank all the teams and players involved, its been a great season and a lot of fun and apart from what appears to be a bit of bitterness in the charlie camp after saturdays results (and the apparent garbage dump we must have left behind) I've not heard a bad word said about us at uni nor have I had any bad words to say about any of the other clubs. Nearly every club has hung around after games for a chat and beer and it makes gameday a lot more enjoyable.
Credit also olympic for having the best bbq post-match.

Also congrats to charlie and westlakes for making finals in both grades, and to olympic for getting there in reggies. All good teams and looking forward to the finals series (even if we do have to travel to Westlakes and Mussy).

Hope to see as many clubs turn out to support as possible. It's always good having a crowd.
Thanks to everyone involved in making it such a great year.

[thephenom]

I'd like to put out a "Coach of the year" nomination for the Muswellbrook head coach, Thom "TXK" Kane. He's taken a side who last year didn't make the semi's, lost more than we gained in player movements in the off season, and turned us into the minor prems.

He's brought reserve graders of 2012 into the side, along with an U17's player from last year. He's changed formations, playing styles of individuals and the team as a whole. He's studied other sides on recon trips down the valley and prepped game plans to suit. He's turned a team who historically are all about pace and attacking ability, into a patient side with the best defensive record across the season, using three fullbacks aged 23, 20 & 18. Incredible. He's achieved all of this with a first grade turnout of 6-8 at most training sessions due to shift work.

He's 23 years old I believe and has a football brain that can't be beat. One of the best coaches I've come across, and a top bloke to boot. Congrats on the minor (major) premiership Thommy-you deserve it mate!!!

Couldn't agree more! He has accomplished a lot with very little resources and an inconsistent player roster. Hats off to the gaff of the year!

[Swanky]

I'm under the impression that the rough plan was as posted, but clubs can ask for a change of day here or there if they can't host for a particular reason. And I'm under the impression (from a brief chat) that Mussy may not be able to host Sunday-week, and may need to change to the Sat, so I assume it will be 1v4 @ Rathmines this Sun, 1v4 @ Mussy next Sat, and 2v3 to have the inverse days to that. That's me assuming, btw.

Im pretty sure days are not negotiable going from emails received. If your grounds are unavailable you need to seek available grounds that you can use on your hosting day or swap your home fixture between Legs

[CCB]

1st Grade	P	W	L	D	F	A	GD	Pts	CC
Muswellbrook FC	18	12	3	1	45	24	21	37	100
Jesmond FC	18	11	3	2	41	25	16	35	96
Charlestown City Blues	18	8	6	2	34	30	4	26	72
Westlakes Wildcats FC	18	8	7	1	47	39	8	25	68
Medowie FC	18	7	5	4	37	33	4	25	72
Hamilton Olympic	18	7	6	3	43	37	6	24	68
University FC	18	6	8	2	31	28	3	20	56
Merewether Advance FC	18	3	12	1	23	50	-27	10	28
Tenambit Sharks FC	18	1	13	2	13	48	-35	5	16

Reserve Grade	P	W	L	D	F	A	GD	Pts	CC
University FC	18	10	3	3	41	22	19	33	46
Hamilton Olympic	18	9	3	4	44	18	26	31	44
Westlakes Wildcats FC	18	9	3	4	37	16	21	31	44
Charlestown City Blues	18	9	4	3	39	18	21	30	42
Jesmond FC	18	9	5	2	33	24	9	29	40
Muswellbrook FC	18	6	7	3	36	38	-2	21	30
Tenambit Sharks FC	18	3	10	3	15	41	-26	12	18
Medowie FC	18	2	10	4	13	41	-28	10	16
Merewether Advance FC	18	1	13	2	18	58	-40	5	8

Club Championship	Pts
Jesmond FC	136
Muswellbrook FC	130
Charlestown City Blues	114
Westlakes Wildcats FC	112
Hamilton Olympic	112
University FC	102
Medowie FC	88
Merewether Advance FC	36
Tenambit Sharks FC	34

Congratulations to Muswellbrook, Uni & Jesmond for winning the Premiership(s) and the Club Championship, respectively.
Also congratulations to Westlakes and our Charlestown boys for making the finals in both grades.

[TXK]

Thanks for the kind words guys, much appreciated! I think it more comes down to the core group of people at the club but who make the job a lot easier hold the club together. Also helps when the playing group is unified with their goals....

Muz, surely the trip up the Valley will feel like a home game for you with the reception I expect you'll receive? You have turned into somewhat of a cult hero up this way!

Again cheers to everyone for the season. Can't remember a year where we have gotten along so well with teams off the pitch. A lot of mutual respect I think and it's great.

Ramsbelong@jesmond park cheers for congrats, it's been a really well fought battle at the top. Well done to you guys on the club championship, I know a lot of your boys hold it in really high esteemz Tough semis for both of us definitely, will see how it pans out from here whether we play each other again. If we do I'm sure it will be another tight one! Will dare say I'll be popping in to say g'day in the semis regardless.

As for our semi schedule my preference is to stay as is. Hopefully it doesn't throw too much of a spanner in the works for Westlakes, I'm sure there will be some discussion over the coming days, however.

Looking forward to these finals series, can go any way with the teams involved, in both grades!

[Cabaye#4]

Im pretty sure days are not negotiable going from emails received. If your grounds are unavailable you need to seek available grounds that you can use on your hosting day or swap your home fixture between Legs

The zone league regulations actually state that the semis are to be played on those specific days. Not sure why, but i daresay if its stated in the competition regulations, its non negotiable?

[sharky21]

Have just read on Zl3 thread that semis are 1v2 3v4 all played on same day. Had a look at sporting pulse and it says the same. Much better system I think. But as was pointed out to me with playing on same day ur res and first could be playing at two different grounds.
Would have thought major one day minor the next or vice versa.

[ramsbelong@jesmondpark]

Lads - please disregard sporting pulse with the major/minor semi final scenario. The semi final format is 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 as per the Excel file of the draw all clubs previously received. The website has made a mistake as automatically reverts to past finals formats. Russell Henry is doing his best to have this rectified. Cheers.

[Westlakes Wildcats FC]

Under the assumption that it will be confirmed the 1 vs 4 finals will be played at Rathmines Oval this Saturday:

Westlakes Wildcats FC are pleased to be [potentially] hosting the first 1 vs 4 Semi-Final this Saturday. We look forward to seeing supporters from Uni, Charlestown and Muswellbrook come down to support their teams.

We'd like to remind or inform people coming to watch that Rathmines Oval is a licensed premises and therefore you are not allowed to bring your own alcohol to the ground, and only alcohol served in the canteen by one of our friendly canteen staff to anyone over 18 is allowed to be consumed in the designated alcohol-pro areas. Westlakes pride themselves on having one of the best range of alcohol selections in Newcastle so if you have a particular poison, we probably have it. If there's any specific requests for people who pledge to buy a certain amount of a drink, let us know and we will try and stock it before Saturday. The canteen will be full of hot food too - pies, sausage rolls, bacon, eggs, sausages, steak, etc. Make sure you bring your coin purses down!

Everyone is also invited to Rathmines Bowling Club after the games for a friendly chat, drink and feed.

See you all Saturday (under the assumption that we get confirmation we are actually hosting on Saturday)!