Whyalla Soccer Association

Association Cup Results:
B Grade: 3-1 WIN vs Croatia @ Home
A Grade: 0-7 loss vs Croatia @ Home

Next Round:
B Grade: Wanderers vs Lions @ Croatia
A Grade: SEASON OVER

Well, a mixed bag today. Our B Grade got a deserved and semi-expected win against League Champions Croatia. The B Grade lads felt at the start of this match that if we could get over this first difficult hurdle, then we'd raise a few eyebrows around the league and make a strong challenge for the cup. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. We look forward to playing Lions in 2 weeks time on a neutral pitch. We have some good victories against them this season and are expecting to continue our current good form into the next round.

Our A Grade held their own for the first 20 minutes of the game today, creating more chances before Croatia typically made us pay for a defensive error. From then on, it was hard work physically and mentally. This current group of players need to learn not to drop their heads after conceding a goal as usually there is a lot of football left to be played. Croatia managed to score 2 goals in the last 5 min of the first half and in the last 10 seconds of the game, so perhaps a more reflective scoreline of 0-4 would have been more appropriate. The fact that we haven't been able to get within 5 goals of Croatia sticks out like a sore thumb though and hopefully we learn to correct that over the pre-season (whether I'm there or not). Silly season starts in a few weeks.

I can't believe I haven't posted about this yet...

...but....

...WANDERERS HAVE MADE THE B GRADE CUP FINAL!!!

In our last game we managed to defeat Lions 3-2 after being 0-1 down at half-time. If you managed to watch Oman against the Socceroos last night dropping like flies everytime they were tackled, well...Lions were no different with at least 4 players going down, particularly when we had momentum. But credit to the boys, they were strong mentally and adapted well to the changes made at half-time. Very pleasing indeed.

So what does this mean?

We now get to tackle Westlands United in the B Grade Final, which is being played at Lions home ground. In the A Grade, Steel United caused the upset of the day, beating Westlands (not sure of score) and so will get to play Croatia. So the Cup Final should have a great atmosphere this Saturday, with each club having a role in the tournament (Lions will provide the venue). A terrific way to end a good season of football in Whyalla.

Well done and good luck to them in the final.

WSA B Grade Cup Final:
Wanderers 0 vs Westlands United 3

A disappointing day yesterday saw the Blues lose to the Red Devils in a fairly tense encounter. As it's our 'local derby' - Westlands being 100m down the road, the two sides have a history of hatred towards each other (which I didn't know the extent of the hatred until yesterday - some amusing events during the game gave me an education).

Anyway, as many may know, soccer is a game of chances and whilst we had approximately 25-30 shots on goal with 10 clear cut chances, lady luck was not on our side during the game. We played with finesse and confidence but ultimately that proved our downfall. We pushed too high up the park on two occasions and was duly punished by two very quick counter-attack goals. The final blow came about 15 min into the 2nd half with a fluke shot/cross from the corner of the box. We should have gone ahead in the 1st minute, instead we hit the crossbar and had many of our remaining shots saved by the keeper or cleared off the line. For the first time all season, we actually dominated the game through possession only to not get rewarded for our efforts.

On a pleasing note, I'm very happy that we got there in the end as nobody expected us to do anything in this competition but we've made Whyalla sit up and take notice of our club. If we can poach a couple of good players during the off-season and have a good pre-season, then I'm sure with a few adjustments in the structure of the club, Wanderers will have some success in the next few years.

Were there any flares lit during this game HTWWW ?

No, but plenty of on-field fireworks.

howthewestwaswon wrote:Maybe, maybe not. Don't know with work prospects around SA and interstate. Find out a few things in the next couple of months.

Testy wrote:

Good luck and I hope employment prospects all work out.

Well that's it from me bringing news from the sporting world of Whyalla for a while yet. The Mrs managed to land a job in northern Tasmania so it will be our home from 2012 until whenever. Thanks to those who bothered to read my posts about the WSA and WFL. I hope it gave you some insight as to how things are up here in the Steel City. Hopefully I can continue to post about various sports such as TSL footy, Tasmanian soccer etc either from an involvement or spectator's point of view. Cheers!

Thanks for your input WTWWW and good luck with your adventures in sunny Tasmania.

Enjoyed reading your post's HTWWW, and keep in touch from Tassie...Beware of the two headed monster.

Firstblood wrote:Thanks for your input WTWWW and good luck with your adventures in sunny Tasmania.

Testy wrote:

Enjoyed reading your post's HTWWW, and keep in touch from Tassie...Beware of the two headed monster.

No worries fellas. Will do.

Yes, this is a card from left field.
But Tassie is a beautiful place (yes albiet cold and wet at times).
But maybe we will get a better insight into the TFL and the machinations starving it from AFL footy.

PS Stay out of that casino HTWWW. No joy there!