Palerang United played Gungahlin United in the final round of the women's  competition and a win would seal fourth place and a semi final next week. Palerang United started with some great attacking phases of play and opened the scoring when Matilda Corby took a fantastic free kick from 30metres out and squeezed the ball between the outstretched hand of the keeper and the right upright. Palerang United were on a roll when Lauren Campbell scored after a brilliant pass from Jaye Coble was received behind the Gungahlin defensive line.

Lauren Campbell scored her second about 10 minutes later after another determined run. Palerang United were dominating huge chunks of the game with Leith Collard and Julie Oserak controlling the defence and keeping Gungahlin quiet in attack. Tamika Murphy scored with a scorching shot from outside the goal box to take the game into half time at 4-0 to Palerang United.

The Ladies were having a brilliant game and were keen to go on with it in the second half. Gungahlin changed goal keepers at half time and played with more determination in the second half. Palerang United had plenty of possession but sprayed shots all around the Gungahlin goal.

Finally Tamika Murphy scored her second goal and sealed a strong 5-0 victory for Palerang United which will see them enter the semi finals next week. Palerang United will play ANU in the semi final next week and it should be an absolute cracker. Good Luck Ladies!

Palerang United Men Lose But Heading To Finals

Palerang United took on third placed Monaro away and were keen to have a good hit out against the form team in the competition. Unfortunately the first 20 minutes was possibly the worst period of play this season. An own goal in the first couple of minutes and 2 other sloppy goals saw Palerang United give a huge advantage to the home team.

Eventually Palerang settled into the match and through some hard work from Ian Rayner, Jai Gulia Surya Bajracharya and Johnny Milner Palerang United were starting to cause the Monaro defence some serious problems.

Half time came and went and with a significant wind at our backs Palerang United started the second half brilliantly piling on plenty if pressure on the Monaro defence. A long throw in from Ben Pritchard saw Palerang United get on the scoresheet when his throw was propelled straight at the goal keeper and after the keeper fumbled the ball Troy Clark pounced on the ball and slotted it into the back of the net.

Confidence was up and Monaro were struggling to hold back Palerang United’s advances on goal. Against the run of play Monaro scored another soft goal which gave them a 4-1 lead and sealed the fate of Palerang United. Some excellent contributions from Ricky McCurley and Thomas Roberts was pleasing to see and if we can take our opportunities we create in our next 2 games then we will cause a few headaches for our opponents.

Next week we take on Burns FC in Braidwood with a semi final looming on Wednesday the 2nd September at the AIS against ANU Blue. Good luck boys!

Palerang Under 15 Men down Brindabella

By Nick Fry

Question, “Why did Cinderella always get dropped from the football team? Answer, “because she always ran away from the ball.” There were certainly no Cinderellas against Brindabella from the Palerang side in this match.

The players knew they were in for a tough afternoon, Brindabella sitting in 2nd place, Palerang 3d. A large and vocal crowd filled the sidelines on both sides of the pitch at the home of Braidwood football, the Braidwood Rec Ground.

Palerang’s  game ‘Plan A’ was simple, use the width of the park, play the easy ball, keep it simple and the gaps and time with the ball will follow. “Plan A” was executed to the letter from kick off. At times it appeared the Palerang lads had 13-14 on the pitch, they seemed to be everywhere, and went into the break 1-0.

A motivational half time speech from captain Tim Corcoran, seemed to make the Palerang side start the second half where they left off in the first half. Goals were scored freely in the second half, with the crowd treated to a great exhibition of attacking football.

It was a terrific team victory, with many players having their best games of the season.

Palerang United 5  Vs.  Brindabella  0

Next week the team travel to Hawker playing fields in Canberra to take on Belsouth FC at 3.10pm.

Under 12 Girls continue winning streak

By Michelle Grant

Palerang Pinks took on Brindabella Blues in Canberra on the weekend winning the match 5/0.... Our girls took to the field with no subs at all so we knew that it would be a very tiring game for them all, with no chance of a breather on the sideline.

Lyla Crosbie was her usual go get em" at any cost form! playing beautifully as always scoring 3 goals. The girls never let their guard down once with great defence again from Georgia Grant ,Crystal Dhuele and Jorja Noye in the backs not ever letting the other team get anywhere near the goal, Claire Pettit ,Ella Parsons,Sophie Cargill, Willough Corby and Jarrah Parsons constantly staying on the heels of the opposition not letting up once. Lyndsey Medham was in goals but was taken out of there to go into overdrive keeping everyone wondering where she was going to pop up next! Ellie Bunn had a few close calls at goal which you could see was frustrating the heck out of her  (Don't worry Miss Ellie you will get one in before the end of season.)

The other two goals were scored by Willough Corby and Jorja Noye, Our young ladies continue to make us proud with not only their outstanding soccer skills but also their good and fair sportsmanship ways on the field at all times. Well done girls AGAIN!

Presentation day for both local and Palerang sides will be held at the Braidwood Services Club Saturday the 12th September 2015 starting from 11.30 onwards and followed by lunch.

U5s Report

By Karen Shea

The under 5s had a good run on Saturday morning in Majors Creek. In hindsight, setting the field up next to the little playground was probably a tactical error by the Coach. However, some good soccer was played by both teams. Kieran Saunders and Sienna Royds are working well together for the Green team in both attack and defence. Green team members Andison Reid-Bruce and Phoenix Stephens were both needed as subs for the Blue/Orange team to make up the numbers and both boys played enthusiastically. Clara Costigan and Annaleis Goode were in the action too for the Green team, making some good kicks. Archer Halligan scored a brilliant opening goal for the Blue/Orange team and played well with Declan Storay, both on the attack and in defence. Sophia Shea and Kiera Coleman also played well for the Blue/Orange team with some good chasing of the ball. Many thanks to the parents and families of the under 5s for your support.