Mooroolbark v Ashburton United – SENIORS ONLY

SENIORS: Kick-off: 7:30pm

Location/ground address: Esther Park, Esther Crescent, Mooroolbark (Melway 37 E11).

Saturday February 25 2012

Ashburton United v Old Brighton Grammarians

RESERVES: 11:00am kick-off (be there by 10:15am)

SENIORS: 12:45pm kick-off (be there by 12:00pm)

Location/ground address: Lemnian Community Centre. Address, Cnr Springvale/Governor Rd, Springvale. Map Reference, 93G1 (main pitch).

***All players are to bring white socks.***

Details below (subject to change):
 
TUESDAY NIGHTS (January – March) : WARNER RESERVE (BEHIND ASHBURTON POOL AND RECREATION CENTRE), 7 SAMARINDA AVE, ASHBURTON – 6:45PM (SHARP) – 8:30PM

Directions from Ashburton railway station (Alamein line) to Warner Reserve: Follow Welfare Pde towards High St / Turn left on High St / Turn right onto Victory Boulevard / Turn left on Samarinda Avenue / Warner Reserve on right – behind Craig Centre. (A 5-10 minute walk).
 
THURSDAY NIGHTS: VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED (POSSIBLY SOLWAY PRIMARY SCHOOL ASTRO-TURF) – 6:45PM (SHARP) – 8:30PM
 
Saturday morning sessions and / or pre-season matches will also be arranged during the pre-season program.
 
NOTE: PLAYERS MUST BRING RUNNERS, GRASSCATS (OR FUTSAL/INDOOR SOCCER SHOES), A WATER BOTTLE AND TOWEL TO ALL SESSIONS. (Council restrictions exist regarding pre-season training and therefore we are not permitted to have players wearing moulded or studded boots on pitches until further notice).
 
Further details will be provided by first team coach Dennis Christofilopoulos at the first session on Tuesday January 17 2012 and on our website at www.ashburtonsc.com.au.
 
Contacts:
 
SENIORS / FIRSTS: Dennis Christofilopoulos : 0412 161 686
 
RESERVES / SECONDS: Andrew Dodds : 0411 059 451

New players are most welcome, please email ashburtonunitedsc@gmail.com and provide us with your details (previous playing experience, position, etc).

Seniors – Player’s Player Award 2011:  Ger Post

Seniors Top Goal Scorer 2011: James Clemson

Seniors Best and Fairest 2011: Ger Post

Seniors – Coach’s Award 2011: Vicente Vasquez 

Reserves Top Goal Scorer 2011: Nolan White

Reserves – Player’s Player Award 2011: Michel van Eijk

Reserves Best and Fairest 2011: Matthew Andrews

Reserves – Coach’s Award 2011: Anthony Taylor

Thirds – Player’s Player Award 2011: Geoff Hayes

Thirds – Best and Fairest Award 2011: Matthew Brown

Masters – Player’s Player Award 2011:  Diego Jimenez

Masters – Best and Fairest Award 2011: Adrian Jackabovic

Masters Appreciation Award 2011: Zeno Hamzi

Thirds Appreciation Award 2011: Will Legge

Senior Coach 2011: Alex Jackson

Reserves Coach 2011: David Dixon

Appreciation Award 2011: Bill Giannitsadis

Appreciation Award 2011: Peter McKay

Appreciation Award 2011: Daniel Azzopardi

Appreciation Award 2011: David Clemson

Best Clubman 2011: Jayden McKay

Recognition of Service: Con Prountzos

The position would suit experienced coaches as well as aspiring coaches who have at least coached reserves or youth development squads and are looking to take the next step. Our community-based club currently competes in the FFV Provisional League 2 S/E division with our home ground located at Ashburton Park, High St, Ashburton.

We are seeking a senior coach with strong communication skills, people management skills and an ability to successfully lead a group of committed youth and experienced players to success.

Please email your coaching CV with a brief covering letter that includes a summary of your coaching experience and relevant qualifications to ashburtonunitedsc@gmail.com. Remuneration for this position will be discussed with short-listed applicants. Applications close Monday October 10 2011.

Please note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Thank you to all that apply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GOYTIVElYE

Thanks to Nolan White for his efforts!

Sunny Ashburton Park saw most of the action confined to the midfield early on. Both teams fought hard, but struggled to create chances until the 20-minute mark, when John Psihogios produced some good goalkeeping to deny Bayside a goal.

Ashburton found some run along the wing with Adam Lambert at the end of a number of good passes along the sideline, but no real chances eventuated, meaning the score at half time remained 0-0.

After half time more space opened up as both sides started tiring, and the first team to take advantage was Bayside, when a corner was headed in to the far corner; 0-1.

Ashburton tried to press for a goal, but could not create any clear chances until substitute Mike Tyrikos turned inside the box and hit a shot on the cross-bar. The rebound fell to Nolan White, who headed the ball over.

It seemed like Ashburton was going to lose this one, but with one minute to go Alex Jackson ran the ball down the wing, and spotted Mike Tyrikos in the box who made no mistake, ensuring a draw.

Ashburton has now been unbeaten for three weeks in a row.

Ashburton’s next game is away against Keysborough at Coomoora Reserve on 27 August 2011.

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Meanwhile, Ashburton Reserves bounced back from their off-day last week to beat Bayside Argonauts Reserves 3-1.

Keen to atone for a poor showing last week, Ashburton burst out of the blocks, exposing Bayside’s lack of speed in defence. Shots by Michel van Eijk and Steve ‘Hightower’ Giannitsadis failed to trouble the goalkeeper early, but showed some intent and promise for the home fans.

The sustained pressure on Bayside’s defensive half reaped its first reward after 15 minutes, when Michel van Eijk pressured a Bayside defender into a turnover. Van Eijk burst into the 18-yard box and slotted home the 1-0 in the far corner. Soon after he could have had a second, when Steve Giannitsadis was sent deep along the flank, but his cross in got deflected just enough to stop Michel van Eijk from angling his header towards goal.

Bayside tried hard to push Ashburton back, but good defensive work from Tim Twynham and Andrew Dodds snuffed out any counter attacks. Meanwhile, the home team kept on coming. Ashy had four corner kicks in quick succession, and after a deflected ball of one of these corners was crossed back into the box, Steve Giannitsadis rose above everyone to head the 2-0 into the top corner.

Ashburton’s dominance seemed to spell doom for Bayside, who barely managed to hang on when a cracking shot from Giannitsadis was brilliantly saved by the Bayside goalie. Soon after, Nolan White went close with a shot as well, before Matt Andrews saw his long-range effort sail wide. On the stroke of half-time however, Bayside got within a goal again after a rebounded cross fell to a Bayside player on the penalty spot; 2-1 at half time.

Despite the conceded goal, Ashburton continued its pressure in the second half. With both Anthony Taylor and Nick Journeaux providing plenty of run on the wings, it seemed only a matter of time before Ashburton would run away with the game. Inaccuracy kept Bayside in the game however, with a number of chances wasted. The biggest culprit of the day was Matt Andrews – up until that point playing a solid game – who, one on one with the goalkeeper in the box, produced an effort that sailed high and wide.

As fatigue set in, Bayside found more space and even threatened to steal the game away, but Ashburton held firm at the back. Finally, with two minutes to go, Ashburton breathed a sigh of relief as a corner by Michel van Eijk found an unmarked Steve ‘Sotíras’ Giannitsadis, who headed the ball into the back of the net for a deserved 3-1 win.

After a monsoonal downpour before the start of the match, Ashburton was happy to defend in difficult conditions early on. The boys in green managed to hold off Booroondara, and gradually started to push out of defence more. However, with conditions hardly improving, chances were few and far between for either side. Unsurprisingly, the sides were still deadlocked at half time.

After the break Ashburton seemed to gain the upper hand, through some hard work in the midfield by Adam Lambert and Yiannis Harper. After a couple of threatening set-piece opportunities, Ashburton finally took the lead through a fine header by Ger Post, playing in his last game for Ashburton.

Booroondara kept Ashburton honest with some threatening counterattacks, but keeper John Psihogios made some good saves and Ashburton’s defence held firm. After 70 minutes, Ger Post was once again involved in a goal, controlling a long ball on the edge of the box and laying off to Yiannis Harper who made no mistake; 2-0.

This proved to be the final margin, with neither team creating clear-cut opportunities for the remainder of the game. The second win in as many weeks means that Ashburton stays in 9th position on the ladded, but closing in on the teams above them.

Ashburton’s next game will be away at Princes Park Oval against University of Melbourne on 13 August 2011.

The game against Booroondara was Ger Post’s last game in Ashburton colours. Ger will return to the Netherlands after finishing his study project here in Melbourne. We thank Ger for his efforts playing for Ashburton this season and hope to see him back at Ashy some time in the future.

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Meanwhile, Ashburton Reserves played through monsoonal conditions to beat Booroondara Eagles Reserves 1-0.

Bolstered by the return of Carl Nelms and Michel van Eijk as well as Paul Alexopoulos, Ashburton Reserves dominated Booroondara despite heavy downpours throughout the first half. Ashy got no reward for their hard work though, with a goal by Michel van Eijk disallowed and a header by Steve ‘Stretch’ Giannitsadis being cleared out of the goalmouth. Half time score: 0-0.

While the rain eased off in the second half, Ashburton continued to dictate terms. Dan Azzopardi tried his luck with some long range shots, and Andrew Dodds undertook another super solo slalom, finishing off with a low shot that was saved by the Booroondara goalkeeper. Shortly after, a left-footed shot by Michel van Eijk just missed the top corner.

Ashburton finally broke through late in the game when Howard Wong charged up the wing and found Nolan White on the edge of the box, who steadied and calmly slotted home for a 1-0 lead.

Ashburton kept pressing for a second goal, but the score remained 1-0.

Showing great control and composure when building up from the back, Ashburton had the league leaders right where they wanted them in the early stages of the first half. Wingers Carl Nelms and Con Deftereos were used to good effect with some good passing from defensive midfielder Paul Alexopoulos, and it seemed only a matter of time before Ashburton would find the breakthrough. Monbulk, meanwhile, only pushed forward sporadically whenever Ashburton turned the ball over.

The home side suffered the loss of prolific striker James Clemson to a foot injury after fifteen minutes, however, which changed the balance somewhat. Monbulk put up more resistance and were starting to look more dangerous, and goalkeeper John Psihogios had to be called on a few times to make some important saves.

Ashburton still seemed to be the more likely team to score, spending long spells of possession in their opponent’s half. It was not to be, however, as Ashy failed to provide the strikers with scoring opportunities, while Monbulk made the most of their chances, scoring the 0-1 after 30 minutes. Monbulk continued to be put under pressure by Ashburton, resulting in half-chances to Carl Nelms and Paul Alexopoulos, but they held on for a 0-1 half time lead.

After the break the visitors started to take more initiative, with Ashburton at times shaky in defence. John Psihogios kept Ashburton in the game with some crucial saves in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but Ashburton managed to settle somewhat and push forward to find the equaliser after that. The home side could not find the right pass up front though, and the attacking mindset resulted in more space for Monbulk to counterattack. Late in the game this proved fatal for Ashburton, when Monbulk broke away and scored the deciding 0-2 to leave Ashburton empty handed.

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Meanwhile, Ashburton Reserves staged the great escape after overcoming a three-goal deficit and being reduced to ten players to draw 3-3 against Monbulk Reserves.

Stand-in goalkeeper Steve Giannitsadis was unfortunate to handle the ball outside his 18-yard box after fifteen minutes, leaving the referee no choice but to show the red card at a stage when Ashburton was matching it quite well with their opponents. The extra space this created for the visitors soon resulted in goals, meaning Ashburton found itself down 0-3 at half time.

A big defeat seemed to be on the cards, but Ashburton stepped up their discipline and effort to thwart Monbulk’s attacking endeavours and create space of their own. Michel van Eijk then delivered the first goal to the home team when his left-footed cross from the left wing was caught by the wind, sailing over the opposition goalkeeper’s head and into the far top corner. Five minutes later, Vicente Vasquez was given the ball on the opposite wing, and after slaloming his way through Monbulk’s defence he placed the ball into the far corner to bring Ashburton back into the game.

Monbulk were running out of ideas as Ashburton seemed to close every gap and cover off every forward run, and to everyone’s amazement the home side was on level terms again within the first 20 minutes of the second half when Kevin Langan pounced on an inaccurate back-pass to coolly slot home the 3-3.

Ashburton then settled, attempting to hang on for an unlikely draw. Monbulk tried to push forward, but could not find a way through Ashy’s backline, with Peter Hall, Tim Smith and Anthony Taylor in outstanding form.

Ashburton did look dangerous a few times through Nolan White and Kevin Langan, but did not find the winner. An important save in the dying moments by substitute goalkeeper Will Legge then completed Ashy’s stunning comeback to draw the game 3-3.