George Tsamouras Football Journey

U16s Newcastle Jets will be seeking to distance themselves further from Nepean FC and Hills United who play each other this weekend, by defeating NWS Spirit on Sunday. The Jets beat their opponents in Sydney 2-0 early in the season but they were a formitable force then, and they are an even tougher opponent now! For the record, the Spirit are in 7^th spot on the table with 8 wins and 6 losses but on their day, they can beat any team. The Jets who are in 1^st place will need to be on their game for the duration of the match!

U18s Newcastle Jets share 1^st place on the ladder with St George City FA and in 3^rd spot, just 2 points behind, are NWS Spirit! This is another big clash by two teams very similar in strength. Both have lost 5 matches but the Jets have won 10 to Spirit’s 9. This game is so evenly matched that minor details will probably decide the victor.

U15s Newcastle Jets have slipped into 3^rd spot and need to play consistently well throughout the game if they are to collect the 3 points against 7^th placed NWS Spirit. The Jets have won 3 more games but the Spirit have only lost 4 to the Jet’s 5! The one advantage the Jets have is in attack. They have scored 47 goals to Spirit’s 27 while they both have conceded 20. Will the Jet’s firepower be enough to bring home the 3 points?

U14s Jets and Spirit are in 6^th and 7^th spot on equal points! There is very little separating these teams. Spirit have won four of their last five games while the Jets only two! Again a very tough match and one which will probably be decided on minor details.

U13s are flying high in 1^st spot followed by NWS Spirit 4 points behind. Another great battle between the two leading teams in the age group. The Jets have won four of their last five outings while the Spirit only three! Again, very little separates the two teams and this will be a thrilling match.

Round 18: Newcastle Jets vs NWS Spirit on Sunday 19^th June 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 17 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

In icy conditions at Jenson Park Sydney, U16s Newcastle Jets proved too strong for Bankstown United FC on Saturday afternoon. Straight from kick off the Newcastle team were awarded a penalty when the Sydney goalkeeper tripped a Newcastle player inside the box! Despite awarding the penalty which was easily converted into a goal, the goalkeeper received neither a red or even a yellow card!

The Jets controlled possession throughout the half and had another goal scored from a well taken corner but the referee decided that the Bankstown goalkeeper was fouled, despite video footage showing he mishandled the ball and was not touched by any Newcastle player!

The second half proved more balanced with the local team being more adventurous in the middle of the field but lacking the final touch. As the game wore on, Bankstown attacked the Newcastle goal in the hope of pinching a draw while the Jets threatened with a second goal through quick counter attacks.

The game finished in a similar way to how it started with the Jets scoring in the final minute after catching the Sydney siders on the break!

This was a great result considering the number of players unavailable through sickness, suspension or playing up in the U18s. It also places U16s Newcastle Jets in 1^st place on the points table with the best attack and the best defense of the competition!

U16s Round 17 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

Bankstown United FC: Marc Sylla 18, Domenic Milazzo 20, Imran Kilani 21 (GK), Dean Mucci 22, Owen Burgher 26, Aaron Borrill 28, Adam Mhajer 29, Billy Sdrolias 31, Lachlan Rhys Jong 32, Sahil Haq 33, Freddie Clunas 34 Subs: Max Nelson 1, Angus James Power 17, Marko Popovic 23, Matthew Mitchell 24

Newcastle Jets: Angus Martin 35, Kynan Watkins 37, Caleb Reed 38, Reinhard Lloyd 40, Max Cooper 41, Zac Major 42, Cooper Vimpani 45, Luca West 46, Jordan Gu 48, Ethan Lewis 50, Seth Anderson 90 Subs: George Tsamouras 43, Makye Buettner 52, Noah Miller 55, Wil Walker 65, Pat Innes 66 (GK)

Cards: Yellow 74’ Max Cooper,

source: Tom Tsamouras

After suffering their first defeat of the season last week, U16s Newcastle Jets are on the road this weekend against 6^th placed Bankstown United FC. For the first time this season the Jets have slipped into 2^nd spot after Nepean’s 4-1 win over Hills United in a washed out midweek fixture! Bankstown are goal shy, having scored just 20 goals this season to the Jet’s 42 but are very compact at the back. Both teams have conceded the same number of goals 12! It looks like another game during which the Jets will be called upon to unlock a tight defense.

U18s Newcastle Jets sit in 2^nd place, 3 points behind league leaders St George City FA, while Bankstown are in last place with one win and two draws all season. The Newcastle team are obviously favourites to collect the 3 points.

U15s Newcastle Jets are also in 2^nd spot, 2 points behind league leaders St George City FA, while Bankstown sit in 11^th place with just 4 wins all season. As with their u16s counter parts, the U15s Bankstown team are goal shy, having scored 18 goals to Newcastle’s 45! They are compact in defense and the Jets will be called upon to unlock this to come away with the 3 points.

U14s Jets will have their hands full against a Bankstown team in 2^nd spot, 12 points in front of the sixth placed Newcastle team. Although the Bankstown team have only lost once all season, they have only scored 26 goals but they are very tight at the back, 11 goals conceded. This will be another close arm wrestle.

U13s Newcastle Jets are flying high in 1^st spot, 4 points ahead of their nearest rival, while Bankstown sit in 5^th spot 11 points behind. The strength of the Newcastle team is it’s attack with 66 goals scored while Bankstown have leaked 30! The Jets are favourites to come away with the 3 points.

In the Club Championship, the Newcastle Jets have slipped in 3rd spot after last week’s disastrous weekend and a combination of mid-week games. Despite this there are another 14 games to be played and plenty of time to repair the damage. It’s very clear that the first three spots will be contested by Hills United FC, St George City FA and Newcastle Jets.

Round 17: Bankstown United vs Newcastle Jets  on Saturday 11^th June at Jensen Park Field 1.

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 17 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

In icy and windy conditions at the LMRFF on Sunday afternoon the U16s Newcastle Jets sustained their first defeat of the season at the hands of Rydalmere Lions FC! In probably the worst game of the season, the Newcastle team created just one clear cut goal scoring opportunity throughout the entire match while Rydalmere created none! The only goal came from a cross and a deflection from a Newcastle player that placed the ball into the path of a Rydalmere forward who had no difficulty tapping the ball into the net.

Having one of the best defenses in the league and coming away with two defeats in their last three matches, Rydalmere were determined to keep the Newcastle Jets at bay. Five yellow cards and a red is a good indication of their determination in this match. The Jets dominated play, were strong in defense and dominant in midfield but failed to crack open the opposition defense. To the credit of the Jets coaching staff, players were rotated constantly throughout the game to find the right recipe for success but it wasn’t meant to be.

This is the U16s Newcastle Jet’s first defeat in 15 matches and with another 15 games left, there is plenty of opportunity for continued success.

Round 16: Newcastle Jets vs Rydalmere Lions FC on Sunday 5^th June at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s Jets lost 2-1

U16s Jets lost 1-0

U15s Jets lost 1-0

U14s Jets won 7-0

U13s Jets won 5-3

U16s Round 16 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

Newcastle Jets: Angus Martin 35, Giles Harrison 36, Caleb Reed 38, Max Cooper 41, Zac Major 42, George Tsamouras 43, Cooper Vimpani 45, Luca West 46, Jordan Gu 48, Ethan Lewis 50, Seth Anderson 90 Subs: Kynan Watkins 37, Kruze Davidson 44, Jake Goodwin 57, Will Dobson 59, Patrick Innes 66,

Rydalmere Lions FC: Adrian-Jamie Bazina 1(GK), Christian Podetti 3, Cooper Van Den Burg 4, Tristan Boutros 5, Marc Bounassif 6, Zachary Pace 7, Gian La Grazia 9, Prayaag Darsjan Thapa 10, Callum McNamara 12, Zac Zarrino 14, Bassam Jallal Sabbagh 16, Subs: Kale James de la Cruz 11, Rhys Van Den Burg 13, Aidan Mulder 18, Zac Saitis 19, Ryan Wilson 30.

Cards: Yellow 42’ Zachary Pace, 57’ Zachary Pace, 65’ Ryan Wilson, 70’ Callum McNamara, 79’ Prayaag Dashan Thapa, 57’Red Zachary Pace.

source: Tom Tsamouras

The half-way mark of the 2022 football season was reached last week with the U16s Newcastle Jets leading the competition in 1^st place on the table from the outset. The Jets have won the most games, with Hills United (11), are the only team not to have lost any game, scored the most goals (42) and have the second-best defense in the competition with only 11 goals conceded!

In contrast, Rydalmere Lions are in 4^th place on the ladder, having been overtaken by Nepean who defeated them 1-0 on Wednesday night in a deferred game from Round 7. Since their 3-0 loss to the Jets in the opening game of the season, Rydalmere have won 8 matches, drawn 2 and lost a further 2. They have a very tight defense, having conceded 12 goals, only one more than the Jets but have only scored 23 goals, 19 fewer than the Jets.

The clash at Speers Point on Sunday should be a great contest for both teams. Attack will be the strength of the Jets and defense will be the strength of the Sydney-siders!

U18s Newcastle Jets are also in equal first place on the ladder at the half-way mark of the season! They will be seeking revenge for their loss against Rydalmere in the opening game of the season in Sydney! Rydalmere are in 10^th place on the ladder having only won 5 matches so far and lost 6!

U15s Newcastle Jets have reached the half-way mark of the season in 2^nd place on the ladder compared to their rivals who finished in 7^th spot. As in the case with their U18s counterparts they too will be seeking revenge for their loss in the opening game of the season. The strength of the U15s is in their attack as they have scored 23 goals more than Rydalmere!

U14s Newcastle Jets are in equal 7^th spot on the ladder together with their Sydney rivals! They will be hoping to win at Speers Point as they did in Sydney in Round 1 of the competition. Sporting two losses and one draw in their past three matches they will be desperate to collect the 3 points on home soil on Sunday.

Lastly, U13s Newcastle Jets have reached the half-way mark in first place on the points table compared to 8^th spot of their Sydney rivals. The strength of the Jets is in their attack as they have scored 33 goals more than Rydalmere and are favorites to collect the 3 points on Sunday.

In the Club Championship points table the Newcastle Jets have reached the half-way mark in 1^st place also.

Round 16: Newcastle Jets vs Rydalmere Lions FC on Sunday 5^th June 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 16 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 were held to a 3-3 draw in Sydney by Hills United after leading 3-0 with 15 minutes to go! Billed as the “Battle between the Leaders” as Newcastle Jets were ranked 1^st and Hills United 2^nd, the Jets pulled away into a 3-0 lead and could have extended it even more if they had not conceded a red card mid-way through the 2^nd half which turned the game completely around and the local team was able to avoid defeat!

The Newcastle Jets began the game in their customary high intensity – high press game, to which the local team had no answer. Hills United were tall, strong and technical but had no answer for Newcastle’s high press game.

The Newcastle team took control of the game from the outset and tested the Hills United goal continuously. They blocked all channels when Hills did get the ball and starved the local team of possession. The first goal game about when the Hills right full back passed back to his keeper, as all other players were marked by the Jets, the keeper then passed to his left full back, who intern was caught in possession!  A simple cross across the face of the goal and a well-placed shot to the corner of the Hill’s goal resulted in the Jets opening their account, 1-0!

The second goal came about when the Hills defense were unable to play out due to the Jet’s high pressing, a loss of possession just outside the box, and a shot from a Newcastle player that deflected on the way and ended up at the back of the Sydney team’s goal!

The Jets went into half time with a 2-0 advantage and such was their domination that their goalkeeper was extended only once in the entire half!

In the 2^nd half the Newcastle Jets continued to dominate possession and dictate play. A quick break from the left and cross found the right winger completely unmarked and he had no problem burying the ball in the Hills net with a nicely directed header.

Chasing a 3-0 deficit, spectators, players and coaching staff of Hills United showed their emotions by challenging and calling out at referee and linesman decisions constantly.

During a Jets corner kick, the Hills United goalkeeper was seen rolling around on the ground while the players surrounded the referee appealing for a card. The referee consulted his linesman and returned with a red card for the centre forward of the Newcastle team!

For the ensuing 5 minutes little had changed but after this, there was a strategic change to the play of the Jets. It appeared they reverted to a 4-4-1 formation which in turn resulted in the absence of any high pressing which proved so effective against their opponents.

Hills United then began to enjoy more possession from which they were starved throughout the game and with this, they began to gain momentum and began probing the Jets goal. Some fine saves by the Newcastle goal-keeper kept them out but in the final 15 minutes the continuous pressure resulted in three goals which brought the game to an incredible 3-3 finale!

While some credit must go to the Hills United players for their late fight back, the Newcastle Jets need to demonstrate greater discipline as well as tactical awareness when things don’t go according to plan!

Hills United FC vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 28^th May at Bella Vista Public School, Sydney.

U18s Jets won 4-2

U16s Jets drew 3-3

U15s Jets lost 3-1

U14s Jets drew 2-2

U13s Jets won 7-1

U16s Round 15 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

The halfway mark of the 2022 competition pitches 1^st placed Newcastle Jets against 2^nd placed Hills United on Saturday at Bella Vista Public School in Sydney! This is a match between the two strongest teams in the competition and the winner will finish the first half of the season in first place as only two points separate the two sides. The U16s Newcastle Jets have conceded two draws while Hills United one loss. Both teams have won all their remaining games to date. A win to the Jets will enable them to go into the second half of the competition in 1^st place and knowing they have beaten the second strongest team in the competition! A loss would leave 1^st place wide open with both teams locked in an arm wrestle in the remaining 15 games for the title of Premier.

U18s Newcastle Jets have dropped to 3^rd place on the table after last week’s loss, their third of the season, and they will have their work cut out against Hills United who are in 4^th spot! There is very little between the two teams and a great effort will be required by the Newcastle team if they are to return with the 3 points.

U15s Newcastle Jets are in 2^nd spot on the ladder and 8 points in front of 3^rd placed Hills United! This will be another battle between two very strong teams and the only advantage to the Newcastle side is they have scored twice as many goals than the Sydney-siders. Despite this, it will be a tight game and it will require a lot of work to come away with the 3 points.

U14s Newcastle Jets will have a big job to contain a Hills United team who are in 2^nd spot and 10 points ahead on the points table. It will be a tough game the Jets will have to put on a great performance if they wish to come away with anything!

U13s Newcastle Jets are in first place and 15 points ahead of a Hills United who are in 10^th position on the ladder. The Jets are favorites to collect the 3 points but never under-estimate an opponent.

Hills United FC vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 28^th May at Bella Vista Public School, Sydney.

U18s kick off at 3:30pm

U16s kick off at 1:45pm

U15s kick off at 12:10am

U14s kick off at 10:35am

U13s kick off at 9.00am

U16s Round 14 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Fixtures:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras

On a wet and cold Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility at Speers Point, U16s Jets recorded their 11^th victory of the season over a quality Hakoah Sydney City team on Sunday! After conceding two consecutive draws in recent weeks, U16s Newcastle Jets returned to their winning ways after a polished performance.

The game was played at a high intensity by both teams with the Jets hitting the woodwork twice early in the first half and creating numerous chances to be 3-4 nil up! Despite dominating possession and dictating the game to Hakoah they only managed to score once through relentless pressure and a defense splitting ball which resulted in a 1 vs 1 with the keeper!

The tempo in the second half didn’t change with the Jets continuing to attack their opponent. A second goal came for the Jets through a glancing header from a free kick from the left early in the 2^nd half. A third goal secured the three points for the Jets when another defense splitting ball was put through, leaving the Hakoah keeper with no chance.

At 3-0 the result was secured but the Sydney team refused to throw in the towel! They lifted even more and began to take control of possession. During a shoulder tackle, a Jets defender was knocked off balance and this enabled a Hakoah forward to find the time and space to fire a shot from point blank and reduce the deficit to 3-1.

Both teams continued to attack with open free flowing football until the final whistle.

This was a great performance and victory for the Newcastle Jets team because it was against a quality opponent and it came after two consecutive draws.

Newcastle Jets vs Hakoah Sydney City on Sunday 22^nd  May at LMRFF Speers Point.

U18s Jets lost 2-1

U16s Jets won 3-1

U15s Jets won 2-0

U14s Jets lost 2-1

U13s Jets lost 6-2

U16s Round 14 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 host the prestigious Sydney City Hakoah in the second last game of the first half of the 2022 season! Having won the first 10 consecutive fixtures of the season but having conceded two draws in the past two outings, the Jets need to return to their winning ways against Hakoah. The Sydney team are in 7^th spot on the points table having won 5 matches to the Jets who remain in 1^st spot with 10 wins from 12 matches. The key in this game will be the Jet’s ability to demonstrate composure and a passing game at the same level as in the first 10 fixtures of the season.

U18s Newcastle Jets, also in equal 1^st spot on the table host a Hakoah team in 11^th position with 6 defeats from 12 fixtures. The game is there for the Jets to win but they will have to work for it.

U15s Newcastle Jets who are currently 2^nd on the points table take on a Hakoah outfit in 12^th   position and 7 defeats from 12 matches. The Jets have the best attack in the competition with 42 goals scored compared to the goal shy Hakoah team who have only managed 10 goals in the same amount of matches!

U14s Newcastle Jets are 6^th on the ladder and will be facing a Hakoah team in 10^th position but only two points behind the Novocastrians. The Newcastle team will need to play well to ensure the gain the 3 points if they want to narrow the 10 point gap between themselves and the league leaders.

Finally, the U13s Newcastle Jets who are in 1^st spot on the ladder will face a 3^rd placed Hakoah team which is only 5 points behind and with a game in hand. This will be an interesting battle between one of the highest scoring teams of the competition against a team with the best defense!

Newcastle Jets vs Hakoah Sydney City on Sunday 22^nd  May 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 14 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 drop another 2 points after being held to a 3-3 draw at Rockdale in Sydney in Round 13 of the competition! After conceding a 2-2 draw the previous week in Newcastle against South Coast Flame, the U16s playing at full strength were favorites to defeat lowly placed St George FC. The script didn’t go according to plan and even the locals were rubbing their eyes when they reached a 3-0 lead!

The Newcastle team began the match playing rushed football without the composure we have been accustomed to seeing over the past 3 months that has resulted in them recording 10 consecutive victories from their first 10 matches. Despite this, they were handed the opportunity to stamp their authority on the game with an early penalty, but the St George goal keeper saved the day!

A couple of chances fell to the local team but were easily handled by the Newcastle goal keeper. Then a long range effort was initially saved but the rebound fell to the feet of an on coming St George player who had no difficulty putting away the ball for a surprising 1-0!

A little later a cross from the left was misjudged and came off the Newcastle goal keeper’s foot to end up at the back of the net for a 2-0 advantage to the local team. The Jets created some chances of their own but the ball refused to end up at the back of the net, ending the half 2-0 in favor of St George.

With the start of the 2^nd half things got even worse when a corner kick for the local team and the ensuing pushing and shoving on the Newcastle goalkeeper resulted in a poor clearance and a 3-0 lead!

With a mountain to climb the Newcastle Jets team clicked into gear and began to take control of the game. Winning a simple 1 v 1 duel on the left by a Jets winger resulted in a cross and a simple tap in for the score-line to be reduced to 3-1. A cross from the right had the St George defense stretched to the extent that the Jets left winger was able to head the ball unchallenged into an empty net for a 3-2 margin! With 2 minutes to go, a quickly taken free kick from the middle of the field resulted in a well taken volley from the right and Newcastle clawing their way back to 3-3!

Whilst the Newcastle team should be congratulated for fighting back and salvaging a drew, the inability to take control of the game from the start for the second week in a row is something which needs to be fixed during the week before our next game.

The St George team also deserve a pat on the back for their effort in attacking their opponent and showing no fear during the game.

St. George FC vs Newcastle Jets on Saturday 14^th May at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Sydney.

U18s Jets won 2-1

U16s Jets drew 3-3

U15s Jets won 2-1

U14s Jets lost 3-2

U13s Jets won 2-1

U16s Round 13 FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Results:

U16s FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Table:

FNSW Boy’s Youth League2 Club Championship:

source: Tom Tsamouras