Friday 30 April (Cup) 

Russell Vale 0 v 4 Port Kembla

Prior to this game we lost Gareth Garnon our only recognised goalkeeper due to illness. We also lost our 2009 Player of the Year who decided after only two games into the 2010 season to drop Russell Vale and join Corrimal Rangers. Faced with the prospect of playing against Port Kembla from Division I some teams may have capitulated but not the Cobras they demonstrated a strength of character that made their coach very proud of them. They matched their opponents every step of the way and at times it was difficult to tell which team was from Division I.  Like most teams from Port Kembla they are built on a solid defence and rely heavily on a quick counter attacking game. It was two such breaks that caught us flat footed at the back and our reluctance to challenge at two set pieces resulted in the four goals, a brace in each half. Although Port Kembla were slightly faster and fitter (to be expected from a Division I side) at no time were the Cobras over awed or intimidated and kept battling right to the end. Our young stand in goalie Lauchlin Stewart (U15’s) proved to be a capable stand in, pulling off a couple of excellent saves and technically looked very good. Defensively Joey Hodges once again enjoyed a good game along with Dylan Andrews and Jawad Khan. Shae Morgan and Matthew Nelson run their socks off up front but clear cut chances were few and far between. After the game the Port Kembla coach not once but twice came over to me and praised the Cobras performance and in return I told him that was the cleanest Port Kembla team I’ve ever seen (now that’s something you don’t hear every day).

 Regards,

 Shaun Hamlet,

(Smiley added by Garry)