Newcastle Jets were crowned Champions of the FNSW Boy’s Youth League Two after defeating Hills United FC 3-2 at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney! After collecting the Premiership two weeks earlier, the season ended by adding the second biggest prize, the 2022 Grand Final!
Celebrations began early for the Newcastle Jets with the U13s team who also claimed the Premiership, adding the Grand Final in a dramatic 4-2 win over NWS Spirit FC in extra time! The U15s followed this up with a brilliant performance against St. George City but were denied their triumph by a soft penalty decision, minutes from full time. The final score was a 2-1 loss! This was a cruel result given their domination of play but sometimes the better doesn’t always win.
With games going into overtime and others being delayed due to lightening, the stage was set for the third and final show down of the day between u16s Newcastle Jets and Hills United FC! Without doubt, the two best teams of the season, and with only 2 points separating them on the points table, the gloves were off for who was going to win this duel.
The match began at a frantic pace and a routine clearance by the Hills United goalkeeper resulted in the ball ending up at the feet of a Newcastle player who had no problem burying it into the net! No sooner had celebrations settled down, a teasing corner from Hills resulted in the Newcastle goalkeeper tipping the ball over the cross bar, only for the ball to hit the cross bar and come straight down instead of going over for a corner! A Hills forward tapped-it-in to level the score at 1-1!
Minutes later an attack by the Jets from the right resulted in a perfect low lying cross into the Hills United box and a Newcastle forward outpacing the Sydney defenders, buried the ball into an empty net! The huge Newcastle crowd at Valentine Sports Park was elated while the Hills United supported silenced.
With 2-1 on the score board a harmless pass across the field outside the Newcastle box resulted in an interception by a Hills player and the ensuing cross was quickly converted to 2-2! The Sydney supporters were over the moon while the Novocastrians were convinced this game was not over!
With three minutes from half time a cross from the left by the Jets resulted in a glancing header and the ball tucked perfectly into the far post of an outstretched Hills United goalkeeper! The half time whistle found the Jets leading by 3-2 and the spectators of both teams anticipating what was yet to come in the second half!
The second half began with a careless tackle by a Hills United FC defender outside the box. The referee issued a yellow card, but because the same player had received another yellow in the first half, this was accompanied by a red and Hills United were reduced to 10 players for the remainder of the match! The effect of this send-off on the game was that Hills United could not pose the same threat in attack as they did in the first half.
The Jets leading 3-2, continued to dominate possession and threaten the Hills United goal at every opportunity. They played out the half controlling the game and not allowing their opponent to threaten their goal until the final whistle!
Wild celebrations erupted after the match by Jets supporters and players. Celebrations by u16s Newcastle Jets coaching staff, players and their families continued at a team dinner upon their return to Newcastle!
Premiership, Grand-Final and promotion to FNSW Boy’s Youth League One all in one season! It doesn’t get any better than that!
Congratulations to all. Worthy Champions!
FNSW Boy’s Youth League Two Grand-Finals at Valentine Sports Park Sydney on Saturday 24/9/2022:
U16s Newcastle Jets vs Hills United 3-2
U15s St George City FA vs Newcastle Jets 2-1
U13s Newcastle Jets vs NWS Spirit FC 4-2
Newcastle Jets: Angus Martin 35, Giles Harrison 36, Caleb Reed 38, Pharrell Trainor 39, Reinhard Lloyd 40, Max Cooper 41, George Tsamouras 43, Cooper Vimpani 45, Luca West 46, Jordan Gu 48, Ethan Lewis 50, Subs: Kynan Watkins 37, Zac Major 42, Kruze Davidson 44, Patrick Innes 66, Seth Anderson 90
Ηills United: Jacob Seaman 1(GK), Lucas Simmons 2, Adhithya Krishna 4, Alexander Douglas Hamilton 5, Mitchell Seaman 8, Harvey James 9, Charles Saul 10, Thomas Dobaj 11, Lachlan Powell 12, Marco Blazevic 13, Zachary Sparkes 16 Subs: Eren Kadayifci 3, Jordi MFulete 15, Sepand Shafazand 17, Lewyn Mortensen 18, Xavier Dalpra 28, Ishan Mani Dixit 30, Trypp Andrew Mclachlan 31
Cards: 44’ Kynan Watkins (yellow) 69’ George Tsamouras (yellow) 26’ & 45’ Marco Blazevic (2 yellow and 1 red)
source: Tom Tsamouras
George Tsamouras Football Journey 