U14s lost the Preliminary Final in a penalty shootout but get a second chance to make finals.

The U16s won 2 – 0 vs KBH Brumbies in a feisty encounter to advance to the grand final.

Vets (over 35s) are in the finals & will start next week.

U14s

The under 14s marched out onto the field brimming with confidence and looking to beat Camberwell  for a spot in the grand final.  The game was played at a pace as much was on the line for both teams. Maccabi has not been able to beat Camberwell all year and the first 15 minutes were critical to each team.

Maccabi bound together and players stepped up to the task with some exceptional forward moves and fantastic defence. When a ball was passed from Jacob Irons to Giddon Millar and then to Jeremy Grunfeld who weaved some magic around two defenders and scored the 1st critical goal. Camberwell were stunned but it was still early in the game.

The play restarted and Camberwell stepped up their attack but Maccabi was up to the task and Backs Reuben Zajac and Dillan Cohen repelled the forwards turning over the ball to Maccabi advantage.

Another good build up in play saw the ball come down the right hand side through Jordan Treger who passed the ball across the ground to an awaiting Boaz Gore who smacked the ball into the goal and Maccabi were two up.

Half time and the team was all fired up with the unexpected score line but Camberwell was not finished. They worked hard in the second half and scored two goals one where the Maccabi defence was caught napping and not manning up and the other from a last minute short corner.

Goalie Henry Wise had made some good saves over the game but couldn’t keep out the last goal that was well struck.

The game then went to penalties. A new system was started this year and 5 players from each team run from the 25 meter mark one on one with the goalkeeper.

At the end of the 10 shots it was 2 goals each and then it was sudden death. Camberwell Missed and then Maccabi missed, Camberwell scored and Maccabi missed giving Camberwell the win .

The under 14s have a second chance and will have to beat the winner of 3rd vrs 4th next week to advance to the grand final.

U 16’s

Under 16s a team of champions won their game vs Kbh Brumbies in a hard fought match. There was much on the line for both teams and Maccabi who had not lost a game all season nor conceded a goal all season had a lot to play for. KBH were looking to knock Maccabi off their perch.

Maccabi moved the ball well in the first half putting pressure on KBH players when they had the ball forcing turnovers and working well with each other to build up the play and move the ball forward. Joel Fink, Zac Sleeman, Vinnine Page, Jamie Samuels all carried the ball well and made good of the passes.

The pressure was starting to show on the KBH Players who when put under extreme pressure coughed up the ball and Maccabi took advantage.

The KBH keeper was up to the task on many occasions and Maccabi had to rethink their scoring strategy to get around him.

After some good build-ups in play and after a goal mouth flurry Joel Fink ended up with a the ball on his stick and slotted it home  to give the minor premiers the lead.

The half time drossher by coach Robbie Gore was calm but forceful. Maccabi came out looking to secure their rightful spot in the final and went about their business in a methodical manner.

But it was not as easy as first thought KBH missed a couple of opportunities as Cooper Altman (the rock) was brought into the play. He saved a couple of attempts and Maccabi were thankful for his efforts. Maccabi with 15 minutes to go built up the play on the right hand side Reuben Grunfeld sent the ball across goal to an awaiting Shani Brorowick who calmly pushed the ball into the net and the win was all but secured.

The under 16s advance into the grand final.

The Vets

The Vets (over 35s) will start their finals series next week finishing 4th. Having had a mixed year the vets will have to step up  their game to be a Grand final contender.