Saturday, June 15, 2024, 2PM
Fitdistrict Studio, Bella Vista
(Article by Adrian Elmer)
"Sorry we're a bit late, but have a look at this photo I got of Louie as we walked here". And so Steve, of Northern Falcons TFC, begins what will, no doubt, become a regular photo at our Bella Vista HQ. Life size Subbuteo. The day finished with all 9 competitors finding a spot on each of the various original flats, heavyweight and lightweight bases for a final photoshoot.
And, in between the photo ops, a tournament took place. Young player, Josiah, made his debut, having spent the last 18 months learning the game at school. He was thrown right in the deep end, drawn against NTFC's Adrian G in the opening match. A 4-0 loss was no disgrace, but taught him lots that he would build on throughout the day. Steve scored a goal in the opening 30 seconds against Franck before Franck got back in to the game with a later equaliser. It was Steve, though, who obviously had an extra eye for the dramatic in operation today, who stole a winner with the final flick of the match, a goal with 5 seconds left on the clock. Remarkably, it was to be a common theme throughout the tournament. Adrian E was drawn to play Tim and a very tight game ensued. Both players had their chances, but neither able to make the incisive moment until Adrian found a goal with about 5 minutes to go. He held on for an opening victory. Host, Ray, came up against Eliot and, in spite of some good resistance from Ray, Eliot saw the game go to plan, easing to a 2-0 victory.
The father-son derby saw a goal-fest, in which Steve came out on top, 3-2, over Louie. Josiah put his new experience to action and made it a tough job for Ray to emerge with just a 1-0 victory. Franck took out his frustrations from his close call in the opening round to storm to a 3-0 victory over Tim. The real drama was saved for the Adrian G v Eliot match up. Eliot took an early lead and dominated play, putting Adrian under great pressure throughout. But Adrian, and his goalkeeper, were up to the task, continually repelling Eliot's attacks. Then, again, with the final flick of the match, Adrian slotted a counterattacking shot into the net to pick up a famous draw.
Adrian G followed this up with his second draw of the day, this time against Steve in a tight tussle. Another loud celebration from Adrian after another late equaliser was quickly earning him the nickname of 'The Sydney Benji'. After a number of months of being his bogey-man, Louie succumbed 3-1 to Adrian E, the opening goal one where Adrian had to react to his own mistake, slotting an overhit goal kick into the back of Louie's net with a quick shot on the run. Louie scored a late consolation from an impossible angle but it was too late to save the game by then. Josiah and Tim brought their school rivalry to tournament play but cancelled each other out, the 0-0 draw being Josiah's first ever competitive points. Eliot eased to another win, this time against Franck, with a 2-0 victory.
Eliot and Steve then played to see who would go to the top of the table. In a suitably tight, top the table tussle, Eliot managed to find the winning goal to keep him at the head of the pack. The Adrian derby was even tighter still. Both players made some half chances, but neither had a clear cut chance to win and the game ended in a stalemate. Ray found a way to get a victory against Tim following their draw last month, this time Ray coming out 1-0 to the good. A large amount of coaching from Louie helped Josiah in his final game, but with Josiah having had more experience than, perhaps, Louie had anticipated and, also, learning quickly, Josiah took full advantage, scoring two unanswered goals to pick up both his first competitive goals and win.
The final round saw all the players who had previously had byes face each other. Franck finished off his afternoon consigning Louie to a tournament without points, taking the victory 2-0. Adrian E dominated Ray and peppered his goal all game, but Ray's 'keeper was impervious. Save after save frustrated Adrian. At one point, the 'keeper even managed a save off a certain goal on the run while laying completely unattended by Ray. Then, with exactly 6 seconds left on the clock, the day's theme was underlined with Adrian finally finding a winner, his volume of his celebration having only been exceeded by Adrian G with his earlier exclamations.
So, Eliot and Adrian E finished level on 10 points and, without a head-to-head match to split them, it was Eliot's superior Power Ranking score that got him over the line. After what had been an afternoon of tight and exciting games, the players then headed off to the, now famous, photo shoot.
Western Sydney Subbuteo on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1379501845629782
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