Palerang United men have been playing without luck for most of the season and surely the last game of the season would see this change so we could finish the season on a high.
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Belconnen came to Braidwood not being able to make the finals either and were keen for a fun filled game to finish the season on which created an interesting contest. Palerang United on the other hand were keen to climb off the bottom of the table with a win and with the added incentive of getting a victory in the memory of our past player and mate Anders Nielsen saw Palerang United play with a passion that was inspiring. A scrappy first half saw both teams have several great chances but Ben Pritchard was outstanding in goals for Palerang United to keep the scores to 0-0 at half time. The boys knew they could get something out of the game if they played with more composure and what transpired after the break was possibly some of the best football the boys had played this year.
After some neat passing moves down the left side of the field Keith Acheson slotted in the first goal into the bottom corner of the goal. An emotional Acheson took his shirt off to reveal a tribute to Anders Nielsen on a singlet that inspired the crowd to cheer Palerang on for more inspiring football. The following 10 minutes of football was all Palerang United and the lead soon doubled when Johnny Milner pounced on a poor clearance after a scrap in the goal box and Palerang were looking strong. The complexity of the game then changed with Belconnen awakening from a slumber in the game and with about 20 minutes to go managed to score their first goal to cut the lead to just 1 goal. With only 10 minutes to go a tough but fair decision for referee Alan Birkett awarded Belconnen a penalty kick after a hand ball in the box. Andrew Crisp was nervous on the goal line as keeper but correctly chose the right way to dive forcing the Belconnen striker to push the ball onto the upright and a clearance from Palerang United defence maintained the 1 goal lead to the cheers of the local crowd. Both teams had strong chances to score in the dying stages of the game but the Palerang United Mens team hang on for the win which saw an emotional bunch of blokes finish the season with big smiles on their faces. Well done boys you deserved the 2-1 win and i look forward being involved with you all again next season.
WOMEN
The Palerang United Women took on Belnorth to try and consolidate top spot on the ladder and a commanding display of controlled football saw Palerang rewarded early in the game when Phoebe Lang pounced on a defensive error to open the scoring. The secret of Palerang United’s success has been their dogged approach without the ball and some intense pressure on the Belnorth defence saw Phoebe Lang scored her second after another Belnorth blunder. In the pouring rain the ladies dominated the Belnorth defensive half and Emily Malone soon took advantage of a neat pass from Kaylah Jullienne to slot in the third goal. With confidence high Palerang United finished the half strong with Matilda Corby scoring a well-deserved goal with a powerful shot from outside the goal box. Half time saw Palerang United lead 4-0 and it was time to try and get some goals for the girls who haven’t scored this season. Brooke Clarke and Hollie Wells shifted from defence to the forwards in quest for an elusive goal and has hard as they tried they just could get a decent shot on goal. Tamara Roberts moved into the left midfield position and within 10 minutes of the second half beginning managed to score her first ever goal from open field play. She was thrilled with her sweetly time shot from 25 yards out that chipped the keeper to squeeze in under the crossbar to make the score 5-0. The Belnorth keeper then had a blinder for the remainder of the game keeping several shots from the consistently attacking Palerang United. Jaye Coble made an outstanding save in the dying stages of the game in a one on one situation with the Belnorth striker to keep Palerang United’s clean sheet. Final score was 5-0 and with other results going our way we now sit 4 points clear on top of the ladder with one round to go, thus handing us the Minor Premiership! Fantastic stuff ladies and well deserved! Out of a squad of only 13 players we now only have 2 young ladies to get on the score sheet before the season ends so the challenge is ahead for Brooke and Hollie to score in the final round before the finals start. Good luck ladies as you take on Belsouth next week.
