George Tsamouras Football Journey

Newcastle Jets take on Prospect United in Round 26 of the season at LMRFF on Sunday afternoon and on Tuesday night, Central Coast United at Pluim Park as part of the Round 23 wash out three weeks ago! These will be the first two of a total of 4 matches to be played over a 7 day period!

Playing in the u16s competition at full strength on Sunday, the u16s Jets should have little difficulty putting the Sydney team to the sword. Prospect are in 9^th place on the points table and on Wednesday night were defeated by 6-1 at home by Mounties Wanderers in a deferred game! The Jets on the other hand are 3^rd, 2 points behind the league leaders Hills United who have played 3 games more!

The U16s Jets should be favourites to collect another 3 points on Tuesday night at Pluim Park Gosford when they face 12^th placed Central Coast United. The advantage is that the Jets should be at full strength in both these matches as both the Jets Youth and U20s sides have a bye this weekend!

U18s Jets will return to playing in their age group this Sunday against a Prospect side which is equal 4^th on the table with the Jets! Having played only one game more, Prospect should be a worthy opponent and this promises to be a close game.

The same could not be said about the match between the U18s Jets and Central Coast United on Tuesday night in Gosford. CCU are in 12^th spot on the table and with an U18s Jets team at full strength, it will be very difficult for them to come away with any points.

U15s Newcastle Jets should be favourites to collect all 3 points on Sunday against a Prospect side which is 13^th on the ladder and which has scored 15 goals in 23 games! The washed out match against 5^th placed CCU will not be as easy in Gosford on Tuesday night. CCU will be pushing for a win to get into 4^th spot while the Jets need the 3 points to secure 2^nd spot.

U14s Newcastle Jets have the opportunity to put two losses and two draws in the past five games behind them on Sunday when they face bottom of the table Prospect United. Indeed, Prospect have only won one game all season and have conceded 80 goals in 22 matches! Their assignment against CCU in Gosford on Tuesday night should be more competitive as the team from Central Coast is only 2 points behind.

Finally, U13s Jets face a 9^th placed Prospect side and an 8^th CCU side at Newcastle and Gosford respectively. Both games promise to be competitive and the young Jets will need all 6 points if they are to close the 11 point gap that has opened up between themselves and the league leaders who have played 4 games more.

Round 26:Newcastle Jets vs Prospect Utd on Sunday 14^th August at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8.30am

Round 23:CCU vs Newcastle Jets on Tuesday 16^th August at Pluim Park Gosford.

U18s kick off at 7:00pm

U16s kick off at 7:45pm

U15s kick off at 6:00pm

U14s kick off at 7:35pm

U13s kick off at 6.00pm

U16s Round 26 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets defeated U18s Mounties Wanderers at Cook Park Mt Prichard on Saturday afternoon by 1-0. Following the policy of “playing up” at this time of the year only one u18s outfield player and the goalkeeper were from the Jets u18s squad. All remaining players were from the u16s squad and one from the u15s!

Both teams played out an intensive game which would have been better if the surface of Cook Park was in better condition. Perhaps for the first time this year u16s Jets found themselves up against a physically strong and fast opponent, due to the age difference, that contested every ball and pressed all over the field.

The game was evenly matched and with the intensity in which it was played resulting in the referee correctly handing out 3 yellow cards to Mounties and 2 to the Jets players. There were some outstanding shots on goal which were matched by outstanding saves by both sides.

Controversy struck when the Mounties team scored a goal which the Newcastle Jets players protested as offside and pointed at the linesman. Initially the referee awarded the goal and at the first break in play after the kick off, after consulting the linesman, awarded an offside!

This aroused the emotions of the Mounties bench which resulted in a number of yellow cards being shown by the referee. Emotions were also running high off the field resulting in the referee to stop the game on several occasions and warning the Mounties bench that unless they put a stop at the comments directed at the referee and linesmen, the match would be abandoned.

In the midst of all this, the players continued and with approximately 15 minutes from the end, a well worked move by the Jets players resulted in the winning goal scored.

The U15s players who made up the majority of the U16s squad managed to win 2-0 despite being placed under a lot of pressure in the second half. U15s squad also came away with the 3 points but the U14s were edged out by 2-1. The U13s had a great day scoring 8-1.

Round 25: Mounties Wanderers FC vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 6^th August at Cook Park (Mt Prichard).

U18s Jets won 1-0

U16s Jets won 2-0

U15s Jets won 2-0

U14s Jets lost 2-1

U13s Jets won 8-1

U16s Round 25 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

Mounties Wanderers FC: Bayden Irwin-D’Amico 1, Matthaus Klaus 2, Sebastian Duarte 5, Juan Gobbi 7, Rayan Djakovic 8, Jeremiah Dawo 9, Brayden Mcpherson 10, Nabeel Afazal 11, George Yousif 12, Antonio Glavan 17, Jed Simmons 18,  Subs: Andre Galea 3, Anthony Rodi 15, Abdullah Muazee 16, Callum Williams-Paroli 21,  

Newcastle Jets: Adriatik Haxhnikaj 24, Sam Esquilant 34, Angus Martin 35,  Giles Harrison 36, Kynan Watkins 37, Caleb Reed 38, Pharrell Trainor 39, Zac Major 42, George Tsamouras 43, Cooper Vimpani 45, Jordan Gu 48, Subs: Reinhard Lloyd 40, Max Cooper 41, Ethan Lewis 50, Will Dobson 59, Seth Anderson 90   

Cards: 24’ Jeremiah Dawo (yellow) 37’ Brayden Mcpherson (yellow), 51’ Juan Gobbi – 26’ Kynan Watkins (yellow), Pharrell Trainor (yellow)

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets take on Mounties Wanderers FC in Round 25 of the Competition on Saturday at Cook Park Mt. Prichard, Sydney. In Round 10 at Speers Point the Jets defeated Mounties 5-0 and their 2nd last spot on the table would not cause any issue for securing the 3 points for the Jets under normal circumstances!

Normal circumstances are not what Newcastle Jets teams have been forced to play under in recent weeks! Due to the departure of as many as a dozen u20s players from the Jets Academy, teams have been “playing up” players to accommodate for this and in some cases fielding squads at half strength or even at a quarter strength of players from within their respective age group! Depending on the number of players that each team “plays up”, this round is not as easy as how it appears on paper!

Round 25:Mounties Wanderers FC vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 6^th August at Cook Park (Mt Prichard).

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8.30am

U16s Round 25 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

Playing with only 6 of their regular team players the u16s Newcastle Jets were held to a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at the LMRFF at Speers Point! The Jets scored the opening goal within the first minute through a header from a well taken free kick. The remainder of the half was spent playing very ordinary football by both teams.

Northbridge put the Jets under considerable pressure early in the second half and again towards the end of the match when they scored their equalizer.  Despite being one of the worst matches of the season as a spectacle, both teams had chances to win the game.

The reason why the u16s played at less than half strength was for players to “play up” to accommodate for the departure of over a dozen players from the U20s squad! The remaining 9 players that made up the u16s squad were from the u15s and u14s squads!

This result coupled with other teams having played their washed-out matches has caused the U16s Newcastle Jets to drop from 1^st place on the table, to 3^rd! This is the first time the U16s team has dropped from 1^st place all season!

Despite this result all the players and coaching staff should be congratulated for their effort in playing under such circumstances.

Round 24: Newcastle Jets vs Northbridge Bulls FC on Sunday 31^st July at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s Jets won 3-1

U16s Jets drew 1-1

U15s Jets won 3-2

U14s Jets lost 4-1

U13s Jets won 1-0

U16s Round 24 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets are due to face Northbridge Bulls FC in Round 24 of the competition at Speers Point this Sunday. The U16s Jets remain in 1^st place on the table despite three washed out games in the past four weeks! Northbridge have played all 23 of their matches, compared to 19 from the Jets, and are in 6^th place, 13 points behind the Novocastrians.

In the first round clash the Jets were able to extract a hard fought 2-1 victory in Sydney. Having played only one competitive match in the past four weeks, compared to the Sydneysiders who have played all their matches, makes the odds even between the two teams. Given that a number of u16 Jets players may have to play up in the u18s to make up for the u18s playing up in the u20s and Youth, makes the odds in favor of Northbridge!

The three washed out matches in the past month have resulted in the U18s Newcastle Jets drop to 6^th position on the ladder while Northbridge are in 10^th. The inactivity by the Newcastle team for so long, coupled with many of it’s players having to step up into u20s and Youth to cover for the players who have left, makes the odds in favor of the Sydneysiders.

U15s Newcastle Jets remain in 2^nd position despite playing three games less than most teams. Northbridge on the other hand have played all their games and are in 12^th position! Despite this, the lack of match games by the Jets over the past month coupled with players having to play up in higher age groups evens the odds between the two teams.

U14s Newcastle Jets have dropped to 8^th position on the points table, 13 points behind Northbridge who occupy 4^th place! Not only are the Sydney siders a strong team, given the lack of matches played by the Jets, makes them favorites in this match!

U13s Newcastle Jets have also dropped to 4^th place on the points ladder after having played only one game in the past month. Northbridge occupy 9^th position and will prove a difficult opponent given the amount of inactivity by the Jets.

After this game, only six matches remain until the end of the season! Given there are 4 washed out fixtures and there is still no sign of these games being re-scheduled, it will either be a very busy six remaining weeks, or these games will not be played at all!

The Club championship battle continues between three teams, Hills United, St George City and the Newcastle Jets. Considering only two teams can gain promotion and given that both Hills United and St George City have played three games more than the Jets, they are ahead on points and favorites to finish in first and second place!

Round 24: Newcastle Jets vs Northbridge Bulls FC on Sunday 31^st July at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8.30am

U16s Round 24 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

Central Coast Football Association has closed Pluim Park for this weekend and the scheduled Round 23 matches between Central Coast United vs Newcastle Jets in the age groups U13,14,15,16, & 18 have been washed out!

This is the 3^rd washed out match for the Newcastle Jets in the past four weeks.

Source: Tom Tsamouras

U16s Newcastle Jets contest Round 23 of the competition away to Central Coast United in Gosford on Saturday. CCU sit in 12^th place on the ladder after having played 21 matches while the Jets are in 1^st place after 19 games! The first round fixture at Speers Point ended with the Jets winning by 4-0. The problem of CCU is their inability to score goals. They have found the back of the net a mere 17 times in 21 matches! In contrast the Jets have the best attack with 54 goals scored as well as the best defense, 14 goals conceded. The difference in strength is huge and the Jets are obviously favorites to collect the 3 points and edge closer to the Premiership. The only factor that may play a role are the number of Jets players that might be called upon to start in the u18s squad!

U18s Newcastle Jets came close to taking points from the league leaders last week but were edged out in the final 5 minutes of the game. CCU are 13^th on the ladder with the second worst defense of the competition. Regardless of the number of u16s that may be called upon to replace other squad members playing in the u20s or Youth, the 3 points are there for the taking.

U15s Newcastle Jets have regained 2^nd spot on the points ladder despite having played two games less than most of their nearest rivals. CCU sit on the same points but have played two matches more. This should be a very competitive match by two teams of equal strength.

U14s Newcastle Jets secured a 2-2 draw last week against the league leaders despite going ahead 2-0! CCU are only 3 points behind them but with only half the goals scored! Despite this, the match should be a well contested game by two teams of similar ability.

U13s Newcastle Jets were surprisingly beaten last week and should bounce back with vengeance against a CCU team which has conceded 55 goals in 21 matches!

Round 23: CCU vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 23^rd July at Pluim Park Gosford.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8.30am

U16s Round 23 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

All smiles at Speers Point on Sunday afternoon after the U16s Newcastle Jets notched their 15^th win in 19 matches against St George City FA. Despite the two week lay-off by the Newcastle Jets due to two consecutive wash-out games, the U16s had little difficulty putting their Sydney opponents to the sword!

The first goal came from a well taken free kick from just outside the box. The second from poor goalkeeper handling after a free kick just passed the half-way line! The third from a well worked move from the left and a placement of the ball from inside the six-yard box. By half time and with the score line at 3-0, the contest was effectively over.

In the second half the Jets continued to dominate the game but did not add to the score. It should be noted that as many as five U16s players did not participate in this match as they were down to start in the U18s Jets match shortly afterwards! Indeed, these five were joined by another four U16s players on the bench who participated in this game for a total of nine U16s players in the U18s squad. Given the two week lay-off due to wet weather, this was a great win by the U16s and they are now in the final straight for the Premiership in the last 8 remaining games plus the three wash outs.

In other games, praise should be given to the U14s Jets who secured a 2-2 draw against the league leaders who are 15 points ahead as well as the u15s for their gutsy 3-2 win over St George City who are the league leaders in that respective age group.

Finally, a great performance by the U18s who despite going down 3-1 to St George City, the league leaders of that respective age group, fielded as many as nine U16s players in their side!

Next week the Newcastle Jets head down to Gosford to take on Central Coast United.

Round 22: Newcastle Jets vs St George City FA on Sunday 18^th July at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s Jets lost 3-1

U16s Jets won 3-0

U15s Jets won 3-2

U14s Jets drew 2-2

U13s Jets lost 2-1

U16s Round 22 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

After two washout matches the u16s Newcastle Jets return to action this Sunday at Speers Point against lowly placed St George City FA. The result in Sydney earlier in the year was an emphatic 5-1 mauling by the Jets who remain in 1^st place on the ladder. St George are in 13^th spot having lost 12 games and scored only 17 goals all season! Despite this, the Newcastle Jets have not played a game in over two weeks! Also, a cloud has emerged with how many players will be forced to play up on the weekend in higher age groups to cover absences. Although on paper the Jets appear to be clear favourites, it could be an interesting afternoon when considering the other two factors.

U18s Newcastle Jets will have their work cut out on Sunday as they will be facing a St George City FA outfit who as a result of playing two more games than the Jets, are in 1^st place on the ladder on 41 points! If the Jets win their two games in hand, they can come to within a point of St George and if they win on Sunday, they will reclaim their position on the throne of the u18s table. Earlier in the year the u18s Jets came away with a 3-1 victory in Sydney. Again, the inactivity for two weeks plus the possibility of U18s Jets players being required to play up in older age groups could compromise their chances for the 3 points.

U15s Newcastle Jets also have their work cut out for them on Sunday afternoon at Speers Point. Beaten 1-0 in the last minute of the game in Sydney by their rivals earlier in the year, the Jets are in 2^nd spot 11 points behind St George City who are 1^st. With a win in the two games in hand and on Sunday, u15s could come as close as 2 points from first spot! Plenty to play for but as with all the other Jets teams, the inactivity over the past two weeks as well as the possibility of players having to play up, makes this game very difficult.

U14s Newcastle Jets are in 7^th place on the ladder and need revenge for their 3-0 loss in Sydney earlier this year! With wins in their two games in hand plus a win on Sunday, they could come within 4 points of the league leaders. Plenty to play for but again the two week inactivity and the possibility of players having to play up could affect their chances.

U13s Newcastle Jets are in 3^rd spot with 3 games in hand from league leaders NWS Spirit who are only 5 points in front. A win by the u13s on Sunday will bring them to within 2 points and with 3 games in hand, they will be able to reclaim their throne in 1^st spot.

In the Club Championship, the Newcastle Jets have slipped into 3^rd spot because of the 12 games missed over the past two weeks due to wash-outs. Only two teams get promoted into FNSW Boys’ Youth League One and there are three candidates all year, St George City FA, Hills United and Newcastle Jets. Wins against our rivals this weekend will not only help individual teams in their respective age group table but also assist the Club collectively in cementing one of the two positions that lead to promotion.

Round 22: Newcastle Jets vs St George City FA  on Sunday 17^th July at Speers Point.

U18s kick off at 3:00pm

U16s kick off at 1:15pm

U15s kick off at 11:40am

U14s kick off at 10:05am

U13s kick off at 8.30am

U16s Round 22 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

Newcastle Jets Academy players were informed on Friday afternoon that their Round 21 fixture on Saturday with Nepean FC at Cook Park (St Marys) Sydney has been called off due to the pitch being waterlogged due to the recent heavy rain in the area.

This is the 3^rd rescheduled match of the season after Round 11 against Prospect United SC, and Round 20 against Bonnyrigg White Eagles last week.

Source: Tom Tsamouras