The 2021 NSWPFA Powerchair League season has reached its finale. Congratulations once again to our Premier League Champions, Hills United Football Club and our Reserve Grade Champions, the Newcastle Jets Powerchair Football Club for fantastic seasons, and thank you to the NSWPFA Committee, especially Matt Cross, and Valentine Sports Park and Football NSW for their support through what has been a wonderful competition.
To start the final round, Hills United and the Sydney FC Powerchair Team reserve grade sides locked horns, and the early going was tough for both sides feeling their way into the match. Eventually Hills found their groove to end the half led by Joshua Ryan, scoring via a rebound from the sideline, then setting up Samir Eshani before taking a long range strike from near half-way, before a rocket strike in response from Shannon Anlezark reduced the deficit to 2 in the moments before half-time. Ryan continued to distribute the ball, setting up Chris Holmes to extend the lead, before Fletcher Ball found Anlezark for his second with a deft touch, ensuring a nervous end to the half for Hills, but despite the sky blues’ best efforts, a late second to Holmes sealed the deal in what was a tighter match than the 5-2 scoreline suggests.
Looking to repeat the performance, the Hills United premier league side flew out of the blocks with Chris Suffield finding Abdullah Karim from a free kick, before playing a ball between defenders which couldn’t be dealt with. But the sky blues then scored from the kick off with a crisp passing move finished off with a classy finish from Shannon Anlezark to trail 2-1. A relatively even period saw the Sydney team create more pressure, but launching from defence, Suffield dribbled the length of the field for his first before the half. A direct strike from a corner to open the second half from Suffield came before the game evened out for much of the second half. An unfortunate rebound from a goal kick saw the sky blues concede again, before a brilliant team passing move saw Suffield finish the game with a hat-trick in a dominant 6-1 victory.
The Newcastle Jets Powerchair Football Club Reserve Grade side looked to put an exclamation mark on a convincing season, but a determined Wanderers team made it tough going. Ryan Seck put himself in the right spot to block a clearance into the red and black net, but from then on it turned into a battle between the two sides. Some great passes from both sides came to naught because of strong defence and inaccurate strikes, with Daniel O’Brien for the Wanderers and Ryan Seck for the Jets working strongly to find an opening. But the Jets couldn’t seal their result until the final minute, with a late penalty converted by Jake Vidakovic calmly sealing the 3 points in a composed victory.
The final match of the season between the Jets and Wanderers in Premier League was a closely fought affair, but neither side could really press their advantage in the game. A few substitutions to open the second half looked to open the game up, but neither side could turn that difference into goals. Eventually both teams returned to their starting line-ups, and a slight formation change saw the Jets surging and attacking relentlessly, with the combination of James Kim in the goal keeper’s jersey and Dimitri Liolio-Davis for the Newcastle side controlling proceedings, but a determined showing from Andy Waite in the red and black goal made sure the scores remained level, with the two sides drawing for the third time for the season.
Once again, thank you to all the athletes, coaches, committee members and volunteers for a successful and enjoyable 2021 season. We’ll see you all again soon!
Round 16 Results:
Reserve Grade:
Hills United 5-2 Sydney FC
Newcastle Jets 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
Premier League:
Hills United 6-1 Sydney FC
Newcastle Jets 0-0 Western Sydney Wanderers