3 Semi's - 3 WINS - what a weekend for TUFC teams
In a magical first week of semi's football, the 3 TUFC teams who made their respective semi's all won. 2 in dramatic fashion, the other in a canter with a sterling performance.
Division 6
The first win came from the Division 6 team. Down 1-0 in the latter half of the match, the boys rallied to score an equaliser and hold on for a draw at the end of normal time.
Into extra time and by now both teams were feeling the pressure and the extent of 120 minutes of fast paced football. No goals were scored but quite a few chances at both ends created.
Penalties!!! Well, well. If a keeper ever did enough to win a shootout it was this one. Jon Warner in a penalty shootout lasting no less then 22 penalty kicks saved 7 penalties. Unfortunately for him, his team mates threw away chance after chance to win it, until the last member of the finishing 11 got his turn. 'Woodsy' as he is known stepped up with the opportunity to take the match, and the result was a goal and a huge win for the boys.
They advance to another sudden death semi this weekend against table toppers Canberra City, but are now 1 game from the big one.
Division 9
Tuggeranong United powered in to the State League 9 grand final courtesy of a miraculous come from behind win over first-placed ANU at RMC on Saturday.
In a great escape that would have made Steve McQueen proud, Tuggeranong came from 2-0 down with 20 minutes to go to win 3-2 and qualify for the season decider in a fortnight.
Undefeated in its past 11 matches prior to the semi-final, Tuggeranong appeared to suffer a dose of stage fright on Saturday and started very tentatively. ANU took full toll, dominating the opening 20 minutes and going ahead thanks to a clumsy own-goal.
To its credit, Tuggeranong re-grouped and the remaining stages of the half were fairly evenly contested.
Down 1-0 at the break and needing to score the next goal, Tuggeranong lost concentration once more, allowing ANU to steal a second early in the second half and take a big step towards a grand final berth.
Tuggeranong players' heads dropped and the side looked destined to return the following weekend for a sudden death semi against the winner of the Brindabella versus Weston Creek final.
Then came the miracle escape.
It began about 20 minutes from full time when striker Russ Gibbs ran on to a bouncing ball and calmly headed home, breathing new life into a side that was virtually on life support.
A minute later, it was game-on, as Stevie Beattie found himself unmarked in the box and shot wide of the 'keeper to send the small but vocal Tuggeranong crowd into hysterics.
ANU was stunned and clearly never regained its composure. Less than 10 minutes from full-time, the miracle was complete as Ben Morphy, normally a defender, pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and slammed it into the botoom corner of the net.
As Tuggeranong players went wild, the less-than-impressed official allowed ANU to re-start the match while the opposition celebrated.
Tuggeranong then held out a number of attacking raids to seal a memorable victory and earn a place in the grand final.
Premier Pathway
On Sunday, it was the Premier Leagues opening semi finals day and TUFC were playing in the 3 v 4 match against Canberra FC. It was a sudden death match.
Tuggeranong started well, and dominated chances created, possession and field position. The team was coming off 8 straight wins in the second round of the season, beating every other Pathway team.
Not much was going to stop them in this mood and the wet slippery conditions made it even more favourable for them. Then the sucker punch. From a TUFC corner, FC broke quickly and with 2 passes had a strije on goal. Crack! and 1-0 down. A shot into the top right of the goal with Ashley Collins helpless to stop it. With that goal the amazing run of 485minutes without conceding a goal was broken.
Half time came and the boys returned for the 2nd half with the desire to bring the game back. Again they dominated possession. After 20 minutes the equaliser came. George Claveria stepped up to take a penalty (won by Pete McClachlan) and placed it in the bottom right hand corner.
10 minutes later Andy Richo had just came on as sub and with his first touches won a corner. From that corner the ball was semi cleared and returned to the danger area where Richo was well placed at the far post and when the ball came through he side footed into an open goal.
2-1 and cruising and to top it all off and deservedly so, Dale Westmore scored the 3rd with a calm finish from a 1 on 1.
Pathways now move one step from the GF and their opponent will be determined on Tuesday or Wednesday night because the matches were postponed yesterday due to a rain sodden Canberra FC field.
