Game on. The first trial for Tweed Valley Kings senior men’s soccer team, for the 2012 Gold Coast Soccer season was held on Saturday at Ned Byrne field, the home of Cudgen football. With an exuberant start to the training season, and many welcomed new faces, the three squads did battle with a strong Mt Gravatt contingent.
On a perfectly prepared pitch, the youth team, under coach Barry Saunders, took time to steady themselves, and though controlling the majority of the match, were trailing 2-1 with 80 minutes gone.
A late equaliser gave a fair result, though for time in possession a more favourable TVK outcome should have been expected. Time and melding are on Barry’s side.
The reserve grade squad, under Gabe Finardi, also with quite a few new faces, hit their straps fairly early, and for the duration of the first half were well matched by the Mt Gravatt team. In the lead at half time, the TVK boys quickly asserted their authority from the start of the second 45minutes, and quickly punished opposition errors, to post a well earned 4-0 win. Strong performances were had by Tim Shackell, and Ross Morley and Lukas McConnell, both back from a spell.
First grade, under coach ‘Showbag’s Ramsey’ went up 1-0 against the run of play, in the 7th minute thanks to a Luke Morley pass onto Leyton Pauley, who finished with precision in the bottom corner.
A see-sawing game saw Mt Gravatt dominate the first 15 minutes, then TVK for 20, and again Mt Gravatt for the last 15 of the first half, resulting in a 1-1 score at the break.
The second half unfolded similarly, but with both sides tiring in the conditions.
Regular substitutions and positional changes gave “Showbags” a good opportunity to have a look at the new talent. It does appear, despite the 3-2 defeat, that there is a profusion of talent to choose from, which augers well for a promising season. Strong games from Leyton Pauley, Tom Gladwin, ‘Wayne Rooney’ and Andrew Eke.
