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BUFC   3  -   0  Canberra City

Saturday 5 May saw the U18’s at home to City and a good performance was needed after a poor display and defeat to Canberra FC last week.  Belco man of the match for that game was Ryan Little who played brilliantly in what was an average overall team performance.

A change in the formation and starts for Raed Abdu, Sava Popovic and Nathan Whitecross saw an injection of pace and intensity against City which got Belco off to a good start.  Belco took control of the game early on and played some good football, keeping possession of the ball and threatening to score.

As always, City was well organised and defended well and had their chances to score.  Belco kept their composure, led by midfielder Ethan Munster and were finally rewarded after a great passage of play that saw Ryan Jordan coolly slot the ball away to make it 1-0 Belco.  The first half finished at 1-0 and still anyone’s game.

The second half continued in the same vein with Belco having much of the play.  They were to be rewarded soon into the half with Kieran Mattress keeping his head when his shot was on goal to make it 2-0 Belco.

Substitutes Matt Stirton, Zac Sorenson, Aisosa Ihegie and Josh Parisi came on during the second half and kept the pressure and intensity up.  Belco were soon to get a deserved 3^rd goal which saw a flash of brilliance from Josh Parisi who chipped the City keeper from 30 yards; a contender for goal of the season.

The final whistle went and Belco were back to winning ways but more importantly gave a good football performance.

Coaches/Managers player was Ethan Munster (aka Spud or Chip)

Saturday 22^ND April saw BUFC U18’s away to Woden at Hawker enclosed and the much anticipated encounter was not to disappoint. There was definitely an air of excitement and nerves in the changing room and the result of this game was sure to have an impact on the overall standings at the end of the season.

The first half got off to a quick start for Woden, who were to dominate and push forward looking for an early goal. Belconnen, still with injuries to key players and missing players through work commitments, struggled to compete early on.

Woden, after some intense pressure, finally opened the scoring to make it 1 – 0 with only 15 minutes gone. BUFC to their credit responded to this and settled into the game by holding good shape and steadying their nerves. Woden continued to press and were only to be denied their second by some solid defending by Nick Crawford, and Ryan Quarmby and goal keeping by Stipan Ujder. The first half finished 1-0 Woden. BUFC had plenty of work to do to get themselves back into this game.

After a positive half time team talk and introduction of Keighan Ramirez-Hodgson into the midfield, BUFC came out a different side to make a game of it.

The second half was an end to end thriller in which both sides could have scored a bucket of goals. BUFC having had the ball cleared off the line three times were starting to feel that today was not their day.

After relentless pressure from BUFC in the last 20 minutes, their efforts were to pay off. A great run by Ryan Jordan down the left flank, saw him swinging the ball in to find Keighan who drilled the ball home from 10 yards. The score was now 1-1 with 10 mins to go and the BUFC Mums and Dads were going crazy in the stands. BUFC were the team looking likely to score their 2^nd goal, however, Woden were not without their chances only to be denied by Stipan.

At the final whistle it finished 1-1, a game which reflected the old saying that ‘football is a game of two halves’. A thoroughly entertaining game and a result which both coaches agreed was a fair one.

Next week sees BUFC at home to Canberra FC, which will no doubt be another tough match.

Managers man of the match was goalkeeper Stipan Ujder. Well done.

Spud Magill.