TRIAL MATCH Vs APIA Premier Youth League U16s, Lambert Park, Leichhardt

The U16s today stepped up and continued with a progressive display of football for all to see what would suggest their season is on track in achieving the rigid long term goals set by the coaching staff of this enigmatic team with what can only be described by the neutral supporters as a fine display of on the ground football against a formidable and match fit Apia team, a small advantage in what really were physically demanding hot contiditions in only our second friendly.

The results of applying their disciplined training ground routines to the competitive field in a relentless pursuit of the "jogo bonito" the beautiful game provided an early insight into what they have, are and will hopefully achieve as they move toward the March 17 season opener away to the highly respected Central Coast Mariners Academy team.

Ali  Zein took to the park as the team's captain today and stepped up a gear for a worthy" Man of the match"  performance culminating in what can only be described as athletic alchemy with his constant dispossesing and blocking of Apia's occasional forays into dully's goal area and along with Jordan Lo Russo the Dully custodian, who could not be faulted with with an equally intense display of one on one schermiches on the ground.

Apia however to their credit against the run of play took the initiative through a speedy counter attack on the 25 minute  with a textbook goal by virtue of sheer numbers into the box, therefore creating a point blank scoring opportunity for a free man on the far post who comfortably put away their first goal ..1-0.

Ten minutes before the break with the mercury rising to savage temperatures fresh legs were introduced to see out this gruelling first half and this was to have immediate effect  at the resumption of the second half with Dully continuing to enjoy possession and dictate the tempo through the likes of Hamed Bamba and Matt Casamento whom through after some wonderful build up play through the middle of the park would become  gratefull recipients of the sublime slide rule defense splitting  passes from Daniel Ferreira,first releasing Hamed Bamba who clinically put Dully back on level terms in the space of 10 minutes .1-1.

Soon after, Daniel Ferreira was at it again deceptively slotting the ball through a tight defense marshalled by an ex-team mate,the imposing  Dario Severino which found the fleet footed Matt Casamento, who completely bamboozled the Apia keeper and politely slotted the ball home between the legs of the wrong footed custodian to take the lead to.. 2-1.

This momentum was to continue untill the the last 15 minutes when Apia were awarded a direct free kick 15 meters out and capitalised on this rare opportunity with a powerfull strike which gave the Dully keeper no chance ..2-2.

From this point onwards both teams went toe to toe and continued to press to no avail up until the last 3 minutes when a stroke of good fortune came Apia's way in the shape of an oustsanding 30 meter thunderbolt that would have the best of keepers put their hand up and indeed deserved and recieved an applause by all present...3-2.

In the end , Apia triumphed 3-2 through two cracking goals and we can't take that away from them,but im sure the real winners on the day were those who had the luxury to watch an amazing effort by both teams in what was an  intense a thrill a minute  game.

The U16s head back to work to prepare for a trial match on the beautiful Central Coast against the Mariners next week, again confident in their continuing development for what is shaping up to be a cracker of a season for all to enjoy.

Coaches tip of the week:" you know your team is playing well when the opposition resorts to long balls "(route one football).

Yours in football

Mr Jan Kain

DHFC U16s

Team manager