Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park saw Female Football Week come to a close with three great performances with the Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club’s U12, U14 and U16 Matildas all taking out exciting wins. This weekend sees a slightly quieter home schedule with only four games, kicking off with an U10 inter club game between CGFC U10 Green and Gold at 9am and finishing up with U16 Green taking on Strathdale at midday.
Seniors
The Women rested up with a bye in Round 7 of the Central Victorian League 2, but will resume this weekend away to Epsom in Round 2 of League Cup where they will be looking to cement their hold on a top 2 spot in Pool 1
Sunday saw our two homes game for Metro Div 5 Men and Central Victorian Youth squads observing a minute’s remembrance in wake of the sad news of the loss of Dallas Keogh-Frankling the previous day. Like so many across the community those at our club were rocked by the news and extend our deepest condolences to Dallas’s family, friends and the wider Football Netball Club community.
In the 11am kick-off the Div 5 men continued their excellent start to the season with a solid 4-0 win over a young Brunswick Zebras side. A first half goal by Denick Bio, was followed up in the second half by a brace from Ollie Gunter and one from Michael Jones. The win sees the Maine in 4th (joint second) on the ladder with 13 points but a game in hand over those around them and looking to climb to top spot in the coming rounds. This week they are away to 5th place Point Cook.
In the second game of the day at Soldiers Memorial Park the Youth squad were looking to put on a positive performance after an up and down start to their season. Against a Spring Gully side one point ahead of the ‘Prospects’ going in to the game, it was always likely to be a tight game. In the end a goal to Castlemaine’s Ruben Christie secured the 3 points with a much improved game for the young Mainers. The win moves them up to 3rd on the ladder. This week they take on 4th place Shepparton United SC in what looks to be another tight game on paper.
In Metro Div 7 the Reserves travelled down to Albert Park, who had been one of the more consistent teams in the competition, so far.
Looking to bounce back from last week’s heavy loss, Maine were determined to play well and took it to Albert Park from the beginning. Unfortunately against the run of play the ‘Parkers’ opened the scoring. Castlemaine looked likely throughout most of the first half, creating many chances and exploiting their lack of pace at the back. A couple of one v one chances missed and hitting the crossbar twice, Maine couldn’t break through. 1-0 down at the half.
The second half started well for Maine again, with more chances created. Surely, a matter of time, and indeed winger, Gianluca finally broke through shortly after half time to level. For the next 20 minutes Maine continued to dominate. This was our best game yet, going forward, with some exciting football being played.
Unfortunately it is the defensive side which continues to need the work and in the space of 10 minutes and after some sloppy defending, Maine were punished, with two Albert Park goals.
And so it would finish with a 3-1 loss. Special mentions to Liam who was threatening most of the day, Ollie who fought hard at the back and captain for the day, Camilo, who helped keep our shape, in the middle.
This week sees the Reserve team on the road again, away to RMIT.