Year 7 Boys show soccer promise

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA – SANDHURST DIVISION

Year 7 Boys Soccer

On Tuesday 24 June, it was finally the Year 7 Boys’ turn to take the soccer pitch and compete in the Sandhurst Division Shield against Bendigo South East Secondary College (BSE). Spirits were high, and the boys proudly wore the CMCB jersey.

The game was hosted at BSE, and with wet weather approaching, the decision was made to begin slightly earlier to avoid the rain. The match consisted of two 20-minute halves and promised to be a competitive encounter.

The first half was a tightly contested battle, with both teams creating multiple scoring opportunities. CMCB’s defensive structure stood strong, with Oscar Gilbertson and Jensen Sawyer clearing the ball effectively time and again. George Grewar, playing at centre back, was one of the standout players of the match, showing composure and strength under pressure. In goals, Archie McCullough delivered a solid performance, pulling off several excellent saves.

Simeon Bu’s footwork was sharp and skilful, while Kyren Rowlands worked hard through the midfield, linking up well with Mitchell Cope on the wing. Nate Thompson, returning from a broken toe, made a solid impact at centre midfield and showed great determination. Sebastian Carmichael was outstanding at left back, bringing energy and a strong team mindset.

At halftime, the score remained locked at 0–0, with both teams displaying great skill and determination.

CMCB started the second half with renewed intensity. Tommy Harrop used his speed to drive the ball into our attacking zone, while Declan Winfield put his body on the line to keep the ball in play. Hardy McClure also showed great courage, taking a ball to the head but continuing to compete. Simeon delivered a beautiful free kick into the perfect position, but the forwards were unable to finish the opportunity.

John Shee impressed with his flair and skill in both midfield and defence as he calmly worked his way around the opposition to pass the ball off to his teammates. (The day also happened to be his birthday, and the boys made sure to celebrate by singing to him on the bus ride back to school). Thomas Marasco used his pace effectively on the wing, making several strong runs and adding drive to the attack.

At the eight-minute mark, BSE broke through and found the back of the net, making the score 1–0 despite CMCB having dominated much of the play. With 12 minutes remaining, the boys continued to push forward in search of an equaliser. Simeon and Mar Dret Mary applied relentless pressure up front, keeping the BSE defence busy, but the boys just couldn’t convert their chances.

Final Score: BSE 1 – CMC 0

Best Players: Mitchell Cope, George Grewar, Kyren Rowlands, Simeon Bu, Tommy Harrop, Mar Dret Mary

Thank you to Xavier Douglass, who served as the central referee, and Harry Canny, who took on the role of linesman. Your support was vital to the smooth running of the match. We also extend our gratitude to Mrs Maree Pearce for coaching the team and generously sharing her soccer expertise, and to Mr Xavier Dunham for managing selections and giving up his lunchtimes to train the players.

This is a talented and committed team with a bright future. We look forward to watching their continued growth and hopefully going one better next year.

TEAM: Oscar Gilbertson, Kyren Rowlands, Mitchell Cope, Jensen Sawyer, George Grewar, Nate Thompson, Hardy McClure, Sebastian Uren, Mrs Maree Pearce (Coach), Tommy Harrop, Mar Dret Mary, Simeon Bu, Archie McCullough, Declan Winfield, Joh na tha Shee, Thomas Marasco