ROUND 15

This week Berwick United were once again playing at the Yarra Valley ground were they played two weeks ago, but this time it was against Yarra Valley. Healesville were playing on another Yarra Valley pitch so Berwick United got to play on the smaller pitch. The pitch was quite narrow and still a little bit damp after continuous rain had poured in the week but was still firm enough to play on.

Yarra Valley had an average season and was sitting close to mid table. Their record was won 7, drawn 2, lost 5, 36 goals for 35 against. 

Berwick United fielded almost a full squad of players; David Tadros was again absent. Yarra Valley was of similar build to Berwick United though a couple of tall players 4 & 16 sitting on the bench as well as a couple of females (2 & 12) in their line-up.

Luke Nelson was captain for the day as Yarra Valley choose the ends. The weather was dry though the wind was gusty and quite variable in its direction sometimes blowing hard down the pitch or across the pitch; the day itself was grey and overcast with the potential to rain.
The line-up for Berwick United was Alex Gligor and Jack Cook up front with Luke Kitchen, Bernie Saenz and Ruben Gligor in midfield, Reece Higham was at centre back, Joshua Dudley, Stephen Capon, Luke Williams & Tate Broadbent were in defence with Luke Nelson in goal, Adam Kruize and Micah Prins started on the bench.

Berwick United kicked off and Luke Kitchen immediately found Ruben Gligor and Berwick started to pass the ball around through Bernie Saenz and Jack Cook. The wind was behaving unpredictably and Yarra Valley was finding it tough going to kick into the wind. Though they did push forward and Stephen Capon had to cut out their attacker no 3 from Yarra Valley as he pushed forward with the ball.
On the two minute mark Reece Higham pushed the ball into space and let loose a shot on goal which the Yarra Valley goalie was only just able to push over his bar for a corner. Berwick United then got two corners in succession but they didn't amount to anything.
Luke Kitchen then worked well with Ruben Gligor who passed off to brother Alex. He headed back towards Ruben his lay off to Jack Cook running in saw Jack shoot just wide of the goal.

In defence Tate Broadbent was called upon to deal with their attacker No 3 who again tried to break down the Berwick United defence. Tate put the ball out for a throw-in.  The wind was making defending difficult. Luke Williams was able to cut out a cross and Joshua Dudley following up lobbed the ball high into the wind which carried to Ruben Gligor running down the right wing, he crossed in towards goal and Jack Cook pushing the ball left was able to slide the ball home with the goalie approaching to make it 1-0 to Berwick United after 5 minutes. Jack gingerly got up after feeling the force of the goalie slam into him.

As Yarra Valley restarted they pushed forward and again Luke Williams was able to clear the ball, because of the wind it bounced over the head of the Yarra Valley defenders and Jack took off again to retrieve it but was thwarted by the goalie coming out.
The wind was blowing strongly down the ground towards the Yarra Valley end which Berwick United were capitalizing on.
Yarra Valley pushed forward again and this time it was Stephen Capon who stifled the attack clearing with his head and bombing the ball forward, Bernie Saenz and Ruben Gligor tussling with the Yarra Valley defence were able to pass through to Jack Cook who again made a bee-line to goal and shooting low with the goalie unable to get down scored Berwick United 2nd on 7 minutes.
As the players came back to the middle suddenly an enormous wind gust blew right across the pitch making spectators and players turn away from the wind.
A minute later Yarra Valley was on the attack again coming through the middle Stephen Capon was called upon again to clear. Luke Kitchen then tried to release Alex Gligor on the left but the move broke down.

On 10 minutes Coach Chris Prins made a double substitution bringing off Alex Gligor for Micah Prins and Josh Dudley for Adam Kruize.
Yarra Valley continued to work hard to try and battle the wind and the Berwick United defence, but Berwick were able to hit long balls forward which the Yarra Valley defence were finding hard to control. Luke Williams came forward and did some good heading into the Yarra Valley penalty area; the ball was bouncing around a bit like aerial ping pong.
On 11 minutes the Yarra Valley NO 3 started another run on the Berwick United defence but a combination of Reece Higham, Stephen Capon & Luke Williams closing him down made him shoot just wide of Luke Nelson's goal.   
Their No 3 was again pushing forward a minute later and as he bore down on the Berwick United goal, Tate Broadbent came across and bravely kicked the ball out for a corner. From the corner Luke Nelson gathered the ball and kicked long, the ball bounced (as it had done so many times in the game) over the Yarra Valley midfield for Alex Gligor & Jack Cook to run onto. Jack gathered the ball and shot on goal but this time the shot didn't have a lot of oomph and the Yarra Valley goalie saved it easily.

On 15 minutes Yarra Valley pushed forward again their No 3, a constant danger, took the ball down the left wing towards the dead-ball line and crossed but Luke Nelson was there to gather the ball and turned defence into attack with another long pass though this time the Berwick United forwards were adjudged offside.
The wind then dropped as suddenly as it had started and all was calm on the pitch. Though several players were slipping a lot on the greasy pitch.
Micah Prins then brought the ball forward and did a good pass through to Jack Cook who skewed his shot wide of the goal.
On 17 minutes the ball came forward again through Tate Broadbent and Reece Higham to Ruben Gligor, Ruben cut inside and was making a direct route on goal but his shot ricochet off a defender and away for a corner to Berwick United. Reece Higham took the ball and swung it across but it went out for a goal kick without any players touching it.

On 19 minutes Coach Chris Prins made another double substitution bringing off Jack Cook for Alex Gligor and Reece Higham for Joshua Dudley.

Berwick United seemed to have had more of the play and had been exploiting the wind well but Yarra Valley still looked dangerous coming forward. The Yarra Valley No 3 tried his luck again pushing forward and Tate Broadbent closed him down near the corner flag, the ball came across but it went out for a Berwick United goal kick. Luke Nelson and Adam Kruize were in on the action in the final couple of minutes of the half. And The Referee brought a quick end to the half on just over 24 minutes.                                                                                                                                                                           ;                                                                                   
Coach Chris Prins was pleased with the way the first half had gone but asked for the team to be diligent in the second half, that the team could beat Yarra Valley and not to underestimate them.

In the second half Ruben Gligor went in goal, Micah Prins went up front with Jack Cook. Alex Gligor went on the left wing with Bernie Saenz centre forward and Luke Nelson on right wing. Reece Higham was at centre back. Joshua Dudley went to left back position, Adam Kruize at right back with Luke Williams and Stephen Capon in their normal defensive mid positions. Tate Broadbent and Luke Kitchen were on the bench.

Yarra Valley kicked off and it wasn't long before Berwick United were in possession with Bernie Saenz passing off to Luke Nelson who had a shot on goal but it went wide.

Yarra Valley counter-attacked and they had brought on their very tall no 16 and Reece Higham chasing back shadowed him down the pitch and tackled him in the Berwick United half of the pitch.
The wind picked up again and was now behaving a little erratically.
 
Berwick United then brought the ball forward through Reece Higham who passed off to Alex Gligor, he burst down the pitch and ran in towards goal, with the goalie coming out he tried a shot but the ball went into the side netting when a pulled back pass to the oncoming Berwick United players might have been a better decision.

Yarra Valley pushed forward again and Stephen Capon was put under pressure from their No 6, But Joshua Dudley was able to clear with a big boot forward of the ball.
Berwick United came forward again with Alex Gligor and Bernie Saenz taking on players. Jack Cook also was finding it hard to get past their No 4 who was shielding the ball well at the back.

On 31 minutes Yarra Valley pushed forward again and one of their attackers had a wide shot at goal, Ruben Gligor the Berwick United goalkeeper must have felt the ball was too close to his goal as he palmed the ball out for a corner rather than letting it sail wide. Yarra Valley though was unable to capitalise on the corner.
On 33 minutes Reece Higham pushed forward with Adam Kruize his pass off to Adam saw Adam shoot straight at the goalkeeper which was comfortably saved.

On the 35 minute mark their tall defensive no 4 pushed forward and took on the Berwick United defence. Now Berwick United were struggling to get the ball forward with the wind favouring Yarra Valley and it was all that the Berwick defence of Stephen Capon, Adam Kruize, Joshua Dudley & Luke Williams could do to slow down the tide of Yarra Valley players trying to get behind the Berwick United defence.
Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution bringing off Bernie Saenz for Tate Broadbent.

On 40 minutes Adam Kruize was able to release Alex Gligor who took on the Yarra Valley defence but their tall defender was able to clear the ball out for another corner to Berwick United. Reece Higham took the corner and Tate Broadbent headed it back down to Reece who shot but it went over the goalie and the crossbar for a goal kick.
Adam Kruize was again in the action a minute later as he took on the Yarra Valley defenders and crossed to Jack Cook whose shot also went just over the goal.
 
Coach Chris Prins then brought off Luke Williams for Luke Kitchen.

Yarra Valley pressed again with long balls like Berwick United had done in the first half, which were difficult to control the bounce and flow of, several Yarra Valley players put pressure on the Berwick United back four and their No 6 seizing his opportunity lobbed Ruben in goal with a nice running shot to make it 2-1 on 44 minutes.

Coach Chris Prins then made another tactical substitution bringing off Tate for Bernie Saenz.

Yarra Valley sensing they might be able to get some points in the game then increased the pressure on the Berwick United defence with just 5 minutes to go. The Berwick United forwards/midfield came streaming back to help shore up the Berwick United defence. On 48 minutes Reece Higham pushed forward and was adjudged to have been tackled unfairly by the referee giving some respite to the Berwick defence. Coach Chris Prins also decided to bring off Alex Gligor for Luke Williams.

Yarra Valley gave it one last push forward as the sands in the hour glass were running out. As the ball bounced around near the Berwick United penalty area there was a clash of heads and two players from either side went down, both dragged themselves up and no foul was called by the referee and Berwick United was able to clear their lines. The referee blew for time with nearly 26 minutes on the clock.    FT 2-1 to Berwick United.
 
Berwick United had fought another tough battle - with the elements and with a Yarra Valley side who had fought tenaciously right to the end.

Coach Chris Prins was happy for the team for their hard-earned win and they joined in a rousing chorus of the Berwick team song.

Next week the team are away again to Knox Strikers, for the penultimate game of the season.


 
Michael Capon
Team Coach

HT 2-0  FT 2-1
Jack Cook 5,7 mins

ROUND 14

After the last two difficult away games Berwick United were at home to North Blackburn Lions. The pitch was quite saturated after a lot of rain in the week but was looking in reasonable shape with only one main muddy patch. North Blackburn Lions had experienced quite a difficult season. Their record was won 2, drawn 2, lost 9, 18 goals for 53 against. 
Berwick United fielded almost a full squad of players for this one; Micah Prins was away at the snow. North Blackburn Lions were of similar build to Berwick United and fielded a couple of females in their line-up.

Reece Higham was captain for the day as Berwick United choose the ends kicking towards the Promenade Road end. The weather was dry with hazy sunshine trying to break through the cloud cover, no real noticeable wind blowing.
The line-up was Alex Gligor, Tate Broadbent and Reece Higham up front with Luke Nelson and Ruben Gligor in midfield, Stephen Capon was at centre back, Adam Kruize, Luke Williams, Joshua Dudley & Jack Cook were in defence with Bernie Saenz  in goal, Luke Kitchen and David Tadros started on the bench.

Berwick United kicked off and started to pass the ball around between Jack Cook in defence to Ruben Gligor and Reece Higham and Luke Nelson and Stephen Capon, which North Blackburn Lions pushed out for a throw in. Jack Cook came up and took it and threw it to Tate Broadbent who crossed the ball to Alex Gligor, Alex skewed the ball wide of the post with his shot. As the ball came out from the goal kick, Jack Cook cleared it into touch, but it wasn't long before Berwick United were again on the attack. After 3 minutes a nice build up from defence saw Tate Broadbent work well with Ruben Gligor who passed across the North Blackburn Lions goal and the ball went out for another throw in to North Blackburn Lions.
On 4 minutes Adam Kruize started a play with Luke Nelson and Alex Gligor, who passed to his brother Ruben came across which forced North Blackburn Lions to clear for a Berwick United throw-in. Reece Higham threw to Luke Nelson who crossed the ball and Stephen Capon crossed back but the ball got stuck in the mud.
Berwick United were forcing the pace and it felt it would only be a matter of time before Berwick United scored.
On 6 minutes, Luke Nelson who was relishing his spot on the wing, cut inside and shielding the ball with his back from a defender, quickly spun around, faced the goal and buried the ball into the corner of the net with a hard low shot to make it 1-0 to Berwick United.

As the game restarted Berwick United again took control of the game with Reece Higham, Ruben and Alex Gligor working well together again. North Blackburn Lions did try an attack of their own with their No 4 pushing forward, Jack Cook was in pursuit and Ruben Gligor coming back pressured the player and gained control. His pass off to Luke Nelson saw Luke take on players and sizzled a low shot across goal. Ruben Gligor following up, shot with his left foot which went just wide of the post.

Berwick United again got a corner in the 9th minute which Luke Nelson took. As it came across Reece Higham met it and powerfully headed into the North Blackburn Lions net to make it 2-0.
Coach Chris Prins made a double substitution bringing off Alex Gligor for Luke Kitchen and Tate Broadbent for David Tadros.

Berwick United continued to press forward and Luke Kitchen got the ball and his shot was bravely saved by the North Blackburn Lions goalkeeper.
A minute later Berwick United had a throw in which Stephen Capon passed to Luke Kitchen, North Blackburn Lions cleared but only as far as David Tadros he worked a nice 1-2 with Ruben Gligor but North Blackburn Lions again were forced to push out for a throw-in to Berwick United. The resulting throw fell to Stephen Capon who hoicked a high ball at goal but it went well wide in the end.

The Berwick United defence were hardly troubled and so several defenders were playing in the North Blackburn Lions half. Luke Williams got in on the action with Stephen Capon and Luke Nelson as well as Jack Cook pushed up at every opportunity.

Berwick United were well in control of the game and it was only a matter of time before Berwick United scored again, this time Luke Nelson and Luke Kitchen were bearing down on the North Blackburn Lions goal when one of the North Blackburn Lions girl defenders, lost her orientation and turned around and put the ball into her own net to make it 3-0 to Berwick United.
North Blackburn Lions was able to get the ball into the Berwick United half from the restart but Joshua Dudley and Luke Williams were able to steer the ball back into Berwick United's possession very quickly.

On 17 minutes Coach Chris Prins made another substitution bringing off Stephen Capon for Tate Broadbent.

Berwick United continued the relentless push forward and Luke Nelson passed off to Reece Higham whose shot was put out for a corner. Luke Nelson took it and the cross was cleared by the North Blackburn Lions defence.
Coach Chris Prins made a further substitution on 19 minutes bringing off Jack Cook for Alex Gligor.

Luke Nelson and Reece Higham combined again a minute later and as Luke Nelson ran down the side and crossed to Reece in the area the North Blackburn Lions No 8 inadvertently knocked the ball into the North Blackburn Lions net to make it 4-0.

North Blackburn Lions then had another attack forward and their 28 came storming through the middle, with Luke Williams shadowing him he was able to push him off the ball as the ball went over the dead ball line for a Berwick United goal-kick.
As the ball came back out from Bernie Saenz, Joshua Dudley cleared it to Ruben Gligor and then on to Tate Broadbent who with a 1-2 with Ruben gave Tate the opportunity to shoot but he blazed over the bar from close range. 

The referee blew his whistle to end the half of what had been a fairly one sided affair, with the Berwick United defence hardly troubled and Bernie Saenz in goal a mere spectator of the first half.

Coach Chris Prins was happy with the performance of the team and asked the boys that he wasn't worried about them scoring more goals as they were already four up what he wanted was for them to keep a clean sheet in defence, to which they consented to try and achieve.

In the second half David Tadros went in goal and Alex Gligor went up front with Jack Cook. Luke Nelson went on the left wing with Bernie Saenz centre forward and Reece Higham and Ruben Gligor in midfield. Tate Broadbent went to left back position, Luke Kitchen at right back and Luke Williams and Stephen Capon in their normal defensive mid positions, Adam Kruize and Joshua Dudley started on the bench.

North Blackburn Lions kicked off and it wasn't long before Berwick United took control of the game again Alex Gligor, Luke Nelson and Jack Cook bringing the ball forward. Jack crossed the ball and North Blackburn Lions cleared to Tate Broadbent who passed forward to Alex Gligor but he was unable to make contact.

North Blackburn Lions increased the pace and began attacking themselves, with Reece Higham running back hard he was able to clear the ball to Luke Williams who crossed to Tate Broadbent who then crossed back to Stephen Capon. Stephen bombed a long ball forward which Jack Cook ran onto and from a very tight angle he squeezed the ball home between goalie and upright to make it 5-0 after 27 minutes.
 
North Blackburn Lions pushed forward again and Luke Kitchen cleared out for a throw-in. North Blackburn Lions lost the advantage through a foul throw and Bernie Saenz pushing forward released Alex Gligor who was adjudged offside. As the ball came out again Ruben Gligor tackled hard on the North Blackburn Lions defence and retrieved the ball and released brother Alex who went down the line and crossed a lovely ball to Jack Cook who put his shot just wide of the post.

Coach Chris Prins then made another double substitution taking off Luke Williams for Joshua Dudley and Reece Higham for Adam Kruize on 32 minutes.
North Blackburn Lions tried again to come forward and repeated attempts were stifled by Tate Broadbent, Stephen Capon and Luke Kitchen who each of them cleared their lines putting the ball out for throw-ins.

Joshua Dudley passed to Luke Kitchen and then a nice forward move by Berwick United saw Ruben Gligor doing neat passing with Luke Nelson, his cross hit Ruben and bounced off him for a goal kick.
Later a ball forward by Adam Kruize in centre-defence was pumped forward and on this occasion Alex Gligor was unable to control it and it went out for a goal kick.
As the clock ticked over to 38 minutes, Bernie Saenz released Luke Nelson who took on four North Blackburn Lions players consecutively and unfortunately his cross was collected by the North Blackburn Lions goalkeeper.
Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution taking off Luke Nelson for Reece Higham on 38 minutes.
Berwick United were trying hard to steer the ball through the North Blackburn Lions defence, like trying to thread the eye of a needle. Coach Chris Prins was heard to say "Come on Berwick, let's start playing football."

On 40 minutes Joshua Dudley kicked the ball forward and as Adam Kruize met the ball and hit the ball into the net he was adjudged offside.
Joshua Dudley was again in the action a minute later as he passed a ball to Reece Higham with several Berwick United players offside and the linesman raising the flag Reece Higham held on to the ball and had a shot himself which went just wide of the post.

From the goal kick Ruben Gligor who was having a good game collected the ball and North Blackburn Lions shut him down as he came forward, he was able to pass off to Tate Broadbent and North Blackburn Lions hurriedly put it out for another corner. Reece Higham took it and the North Blackburn Lions girl player no 6 headed it out for another corner.
The following corner was then cleared and Coach Chris Prins decided to make another substitution bringing off Ruben Gligor for Luke Williams in right mid position.
 
From the restart Berwick United got the ball through Adam Kruize who took the ball forward, he crossed to Reece Higham who glanced the ball with his head into the far corner to make it 6-0 to Berwick.

North Blackburn Lions pressed again this time Stephen Capon and Luke Williams cleared the danger and with Stephen hobbling off the ball, Coach Chris Prins made his final substitution for the match bringing off Stephen and replacing him with Luke Nelson.

As the ball came forward again Luke Williams playing in an unusual position of right wing took the ball down and laid off a lovely cross into the North Blackburn Lions penalty area which Jack Cook ran onto and buried the ball with a low hard shot into the back of the net to make it 7-0 to Berwick United.

North Blackburn Lions had now capitulated and as the game restarted Berwick United got possession again Bernie Saenz & Reece Higham combined and Reece passed a pinpoint cross through the North Blackburn Lions defence which Alex Gligor ran onto he took on two defenders and then shot hard past the flailing goalkeeper to make it 8-0 to Berwick on 48 minutes.

The referee decided to put North Blackburn Lions out of their misery by blowing up as the clock ticked over to 49 minutes for a resounding win again against North Blackburn Lions.
 
So Berwick United had got back to winning ways in emphatic style.
 
Coach Chris Prins was full of praise for the team and they joined in a rousing chorus of the Berwick team song.

Next week the team are away again to Yarra Valley, with perhaps a point to prove as they drew 2-2 with them last time.

 
Michael Capon
Team Coach

HT 4-0  FT 8-0
Luke Nelson 6mins, Reece Higham 9, 45 mins, Own goal 15,20 mins, Jack 27, 46 mins, Alex 48 mins.

ROUND 13

Berwick United this week were again away to third place Healesville. Berwick United had received a late call Thursday night from the Healesville President (who incidentally was the referee for this particular game) switching the game from Healesville to Yarra Valley due to ground works and new drainage pipes not completed at Healesville. The pitch was full size and in reasonably good shape though the weather was another story. Healesville were in third position, three points behind Berwick United and had a similar season as Berwick. Their record was won 8, drawn 2, lost 2, 40 goals for 15 against. 
Berwick United fielded 11 players and one sub. David Tadros was moving house and Luke Kitchen was again under the weather.

Alex Gligor was captain for the day as Berwick United choose the ends kicking towards the pavilion end. The weather was overcast, with light drizzle with the wind blowing across the ground.
The line-up was Jack Cook, Micah Prins and Bernie Saenz up front with Alex Gligor and Ruben Gligor in midfield, Reece Higham was at centre back. Adam Kruize, Stephen Capon, Luke Nelson & Joshua Dudley were in defence with Luke Williams in goal. Tate Broadbent started on the bench.

Healesville kicked off and Berwick United quickly got possession with Ruben Gligor passing through to Jack Cook and putting the Healesville defence under pressure, which they cleared. Reece Higham was able to gain possession and put a ball through to Jack Cook and working good movement with Micah Prins though the move broke down. Healesville then pressed and Stephen Capon was able to clear a long ball to Micah Prins and she passed off to Jack Cook who slotted it back to Ruben Gligor but the ball went out for a throw in. On the 3rd minute Healesville starting a counter attack were awarded a free kick for handball against Adam Kruize as the ball bobbled up against his arm. Healesville tried a long range shot on Berwick's goal and Luke Williams made a great save as he was able to push the ball up and over his crossbar for a corner. As the corner came across the Healesville no 14 kicked a hard cross straight into the stomach of Joshua Dudley who felt the full force and deflected the ball out for another corner. This corner was then pushed out again by Luke Williams in goal for the third corner in succession. As the ball came into the penalty area again Luke Williams was able to grab it and Berwick went forward again.
On 9 minutes Coach Chris Prins made his first substitution bringing off Joshua Dudley for Tate Broadbent at right back.
The referee then stopped play as he was alerted that Micah Prins was still wearing jewellery and asked her to remove it, which the referee should have picked up before the game started.

Tate Broadbent was quickly in on the action as Healesville pressed forward again; his pass to Luke Nelson was quickly switched to Reece Higham.  Reece gained a corner for Berwick United which Luke Nelson took. His cross came off the post and Healesville kicked it out for another corner. Luke Nelson did a shorter kick to Reece Higham but Healesville were able to scramble it out for yet another corner. Jack Cook took it but Healesville cleared their lines this time and thumped the ball forward, Stephen Capon under pressure from oncoming Healesville players took safety first and kicked it out for a throw-in. As the 14th minute ticked over Healesville pressured Stephen Capon again who managed to clear the ball to Tate Broadbent who put the ball out for a corner. From the Healesville corner, Luke Williams gathered the ball and cleared the ball out to Jack Cook who crossed to Alex Gligor whose shot looped up but the Healesville goalie was able to save.
The drizzly rain continued to fall which was making conditions hard to play attractive football, Berwick United were also holding back a lot of the time from Healesville giving them the advantage to control the ball and push forward.

Healesville attacked again and Adam Kruize did a good tackle to regain possession but was then fouled. Adam passed off to Bernie Saenz who in turn passed on to Micah Prins then the ball went to Reece Higham and on to Jack Cook in a nice flowing movement. Jack tried to get past the last defender and shot across goal but the ball was cut out for a corner.  Luke Nelson took it and passed out to Reece Higham who shot just over the bar on 17 minutes.

Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution bringing off Alex Gligor for Joshua Dudley on the wing.

A minute later Luke Williams in goal was called upon to save from a Healesville shot on goal. Healesville continued to press. Joshua Dudley was dispossessed of the ball by a Healesville player but Joshua determined went back after the ball which cannoned off him for a throw-in to Healesville.

Luke Nelson in defence was a little quieter than normal and may have been feeling the effects of a knock to the nose he received at football training a few days earlier. His tackle on the Healesville man went out for a throw-in near the Berwick United corner flag.
On 20 minutes Healesville looked dangerous as they bore down on the Berwick goal, Berwick United goalie Luke Williams came out as the Healesville player crossed across the penalty box but Stephen Capon was on hand to clear the danger.
 
On 23 minutes Berwick United also had a golden opportunity when Bernie Saenz passed the ball through to Jack Cook, who centred it in the penalty area to Micah Prins, but Micah mishit her shot and Jack following up was unable to connect with the ball as it went out for a goal-kick.

In the dying minutes of the first half Berwick were awarded a free kick when Stephen Capon was fouled Luke Nelson passed through to Jack Cook but Healesville kicked it out for a throw-in. Reece Higham took it and passed forward to Micah Prins with a potential scoring opportunity on, the referee blew his whistle on 26 minutes to end the half. On balance Healesville seemed to take the game more up to Berwick, Luke Williams in goal had done well in keeping the game scoreless and Berwick United needed to be first to the ball in the second half.

Coach Chris Prins knew that Healesville were a good side and encouraged the team to be first to the ball and not hold back and asked the team to lift in the second half.

For the second half  Joshua Dudley went in goal and Luke Nelson swapped with Bernie Saenz who went on the bench and Luke Williams went back to his normal position of right centre mid-defence all the other positions stayed the same.
 
Berwick United kicked off but it was Healesville who took the attack up to Berwick United and started to kick the ball around, they got two throw-ins in a matter of minutes as Reece Higham then Adam Kruize put the ball out. At this point the heavens opened with a strong downpour of rain and the supporters scrambled for umbrellas (brollies) to remain dry.  Luke Nelson won a corner but the ball went out from the cross for a goal-kick.

In the wet conditions the play became a little scrappy; Healesville gave away free kicks on Adam Krause then Tate Broadbent in quick succession. Berwick United pushed forward at every opportunity and a 50-50 ball as Berwick United attacked saw the ball cannon of  into the next field and  play was delayed for several minutes as a Healesville person went and retrieved the ball.

On 34 minutes Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution taking off Micah Prins for Bernie Saenz upfront.

Healesville then went on a run of their own and had a shot on goal which Berwick United goalie Joshua Dudley saw go wide. As the ball came back out from the goal kick the No 5 for Healesville passed a ball across the pitch and their no 14 shot over Joshua's head and into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Healesville after 36 minutes. The way the goal was scored was reminiscent of the opening goal Eastern scored the week before.

From the restart Jack Cook went forward but was pushed over and the ball went out for a throw-in though no whistle was blown for the foul.
Healesville started to push back in numbers as Berwick United tried to get back into the game.
Coach Chris Prins made another substitution on 39 minutes bringing of Luke Nelson who was holding his side and looking a little out of salts, for Micah Prins.
The rain eased and so down came the brollies.

Bernie Saenz, Alex & Ruben Gligor were trying to generate moves forward but the Healesville were stacking lots of people behind the ball making it hard to penetrate the defence.
Berwick United continued to press forward with Reece Higham pushing a nice chip shot to Bernie Saenz who glanced his header wide.

Healesville went immediately on the attack, their no 10 bearing down on goal and his shot was well saved by Joshua Dudley in the Berwick United goal.

On 45 minutes Berwick United got back into the game when a nice move from Adam Kruize released Ruben Gligor on the wing who passed up field to Jack Cook who slotted the ball home from close range, though several Healesville supporters thought he was offside.

On 47 minutes Coach Chris Prins substituted Ruben Gligor for Reece Higham.

But Healesville pushed forward as well giving Adam Kruize, Stephen Capon & Luke Williams plenty of work to do to keep the Healesville attack at bay.
It was from one of these moves that a controversial decision was made by the referee, a Healesville player was running with the ball down the right side of the pitch and Luke Williams came across to intercept him in doing so he obstructed the Healesville player which winded the Healesville player who immediately went down on his back. With comments coming from the Healesville bench, the referee then summoned Luke Williams and pointed him to go off the pitch to the sideline. No cards were issued and no explanation given to the player or to the Berwick coach. 
 
The game recommenced though Luke Williams was clearly distressed at being sidelined for the last few minutes of the game and with the one man advantage Healesville crossed the ball and scored two minutes later. In the final minutes Healesville appeared to slow the game down and were slow to retrieve the ball when it went out and there was no attempt by the referee to speed up the play, though it seemed the other team were time wasting.

The referee blew for full time one minute after regulation time, even though at least 4 minutes had been lost to the sending off and the lost ball retrieval. Final score 1-2.

At the end of the game most of the away supporters were incensed by the standard of the refereeing and in particular the sending off. Luke Williams was still visibly moved at being sent off especially as no attempt had been made to explain to him why he had been sent off. Luke Williams is not normally a dirty player and even though it was an obstructional foul, sending off a player for obstruction seemed a harsh decision. Normally it should only merited a free kick to the opposition or at worst a yellow card. 
Discussions were entered into with the referee to explain to Luke Williams why he had been sent off, the referee said he would not record the sending off in his match report and therefore no suspension would be made. He did speak to Luke Williams afterwards.

This result had killed off any chances that Berwick United might win back the premiership and unfortunately the incident spoiled what had been a reasonably even contest up to that point.

Coach Chris Prins was a little subdued with the players and told them they had given their best and to not take it too personally especially Luke Williams.

Next week the team are home to North Blackburn, which should hopefully see Berwick United back to its winning ways.

 
Michael Capon
Team Coach

HT 0-0  FT 1-2
Cook 45 mins

ROUND 12

Berwick United this week were away to the league leaders Eastern.The pitch was in reasonably good shape though the grass was a little long and only one wet patch on the pitch near the middle. Eastern has a very wide pitch with a cricket pitch in the middle which meant both sides would need to do a lot of running. Eastern had a similar record as Berwick United with some good players and a good defence. Their record was won 10, drawn 1, lost 0, 34 goals for 5 against. 
Berwick United were able to field a full squad of players for this one. Eastern had a couple of tall players which included their goalkeeper as they lined up.

Stephen Capon was captain for the day as Berwick United choose the ends kicking towards the pavilion end. The weather was fresh, but dry, no real noticeable wind blowing.
The line-up was Jack Cook, Reece Higham and Alex Gligor up front with Bernie Saenz and Luke Kitchen in midfield, Luke Nelson was at centre back. Ruben Gligor, Stephen Capon, Luke Williams & Tate Broadbent were in defence with Adam Kruize in goal. Micah Prins, Joshua Dudley, and David Tadros started on the bench.

Eastern kicked off and immediately put the Berwick United midfield and defence under pressure. Reece Higham was able to gain possession and put a ball through to Jack Cook though it didn't amount to anything. Eastern then pressed again and from distance they had a shot on goal. As the ball came out again Eastern were hassling the Berwick United players as Berwick tried the long ball up the field. Ruben Gligor marking off their no 14 as he went with him as Eastern attacked was able to clear the ball for a throw-in.  Luke Nelson had the job of trying to keep their No 9 (Noah) quiet and Stephen Capon was trying to shadow their tall no 13. Noah was proving a handful as he burst away from Luke Nelson his shot though was comfortably saved by Adam Kruize in goal.

Luke Kitchen in midfield was trying to release players up the line but the heavy pitch made the ball stop short and Eastern regained possession. Berwick United were hitting long balls forward to the three forwards but the Eastern defence was proving difficult to penetrate. On 8 mins Alex Gligor went up the line but an Eastern defender came across and put the ball out for a throw-in.
Eastern were continuing to press hard and the tall no 13 was also proving to be a challenge, Stephen Capon switched with Luke Williams on the No 13 player and Stephen then played more of a sweeper role which seemed to work well.
Each side was trying to penetrate the defence and Noah, every chance he got, was challenging the Berwick United defence.

On 10 minutes Coach Chris Prins made a triple substitution bringing off Alex Gligor for Micah Prins, Luke Kitchen for Joshua Dudley and Reece Higham for David Tadros.
Joshua Dudley was quickly in on the action passing up the line to David Tadros but both were finding it hard to get the Berwick United forwards into an attacking position.
Luke Williams was also working hard on the Eastern No 13 trying to neutralise his forward runs.

on 12 minutes Joshua Dudley passed across to Jack Cook but the defence cleared, the ball came back again to Joshua who found Bernie Saenz with a good pass, Bernie rounding a defender got a shot off on goal but the tall Eastern goalkeeper comfortably saved and then he drove Eastern into attack with a long clearance, Noah and the no 13 were pressing the Berwick United defence back and Stephen Capon did enough to put the No 13 off from shooting as Luke Williams  & Tate Broadbent crowded out the tall Eastern attacker.
In the 13th minute Luke Nelson working from defence took on a couple of Eastern midfielders and got in a cross across goal but no Berwick United players were able to capitalise on it.
Luke Nelson himself a minute later tried a shot but the ball skewed off his foot and went well wide.

On 17 minutes Coach Chris Prins made another substitution bringing off Joshua Dudley for Reece Higham.
The ball was going from end to end with neither side giving much away, the ball ricocheting off the players like aerial ping-pong as both sides looked for an opening. On 19 minutes Luke Williams tried his luck from distance, but the ball went wide of the goal. The Berwick United forwards were trying hard with Micah Prins and Jack Cook and Reece Higham all trying to create space in the Eastern half, but Eastern were very good in shutting down opportunities.
On 20 minutes Coach Chris Prins made another substitution bringing off Micah Prins for Alex Dudley.

David Tadros who was having a good game headed on the ball and Reece Higham shot just wide in the closest Berwick United had come to scoring in the first half.

Eastern also were unlucky not to score on 21 minutes when the No 13 got passed Stephen Capon and crossed across goal and Adam Kruize instinctively spread eagled himself at the oncoming Eastern attacker as he shot on goal Adam's body forming a barrier; the ball cannoned off him and away to safety at the near post.
Berwick United went forward again and Jack Cook crossed from the dead ball line to where Reece Higham Alex Gligor and Bernie Saenz waited but were unable to drive home the ball.
 
The referee blew his whistle to end the half of what had been a fairly even half of football, with both sides stoutly defending and chances few and far between.

Coach Chris Prins was happy with the overall performance of the team and knew that it was not going to get any easier the longer the game went on because of the size of the pitch and the competitive spirit of Eastern players.

In the second half  Tate Broadbent went in goal and Ruben Gligor went up front with Jack Cook. Micah Prins went on the left wing with Reece Higham and David Tadros in midfield. Adam Kruize went to his normal left back position. Luke Kitchen at right back and Bernie Saenz, Alex Gligor and Joshua Dudley started on the bench.

Berwick United kicked off and immediately began exerting pressure on the Eastern midfield. Luke Williams passed through to Micah Prins, the Eastern defence cleared and passed forward to their attackers. Adam Kruize clearing well from Noah.
The ball then went forwards again for Berwick United but Eastern cleared their lines again pumping the ball to Noah, Noah accelerated from centre line and around the centre back position rifled a hard dipping shot on Tate Broadbent's goal. The ball flew over Tate's head into the back of the goal to make it 1-0 to Eastern after 27 minutes.
Coach Chris Prins encouraged the team to lift their heads and to keep trying.

The goal stunned Berwick United, Eastern exerted more pressure from the kick off and quickly got a corner but Luke Kitchen was able to clear.
Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution taking off David Tadros for Bernie Saenz on 30 minutes.
on 32 minutes Adam Kruize took the ball up field and his shot  was put out for a corner. Luke Nelson took it and Jack Cook was unlucky not to do something with it as his point blank shot was saved by the keeper.

The ball came back down the Berwick United end and Luke Williams and Stephen Capon were trying to control the Eastern Attack. The ball got past Stephen again but he managed to get goal side of the Eastern player and forced the ball out for a throw-in.
Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution taking off Ruben Gligor for Alex Gligor on 35 minutes.
Two minutes later Reece Higham got the ball on the edge of the box and shot high and hard at the Eastern goal, but the tall Eastern goalkeeper was able to pluck the ball out of the air into his arms when a smaller keeper might  have had trouble retrieving it.

Berwick United were beginning to dominate and Eastern were beginning to look a little tired as Berwick United kept up the pressure on the Eastern goal.

On 38 minutes Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution taking off Micah Prins for Joshua Dudley. Alex Gligor did a nice 1-2 with Luke Nelson but Luke in front of goal skewed his shot well wide. Reece Higham followed up a minute later with another shot but the Eastern goalie comfortably saved again.

At the other end the Eastern no 13 got free again with the ball and bearing down on goal, goalkeeper Tate Broadbent courageously came out and narrowed the angle as the Eastern player blazed over the bar.
Both sides were trying hard, Berwick United to get back in the game and Eastern trying to get a second goal as a buffer.
On 40 minutes Coach Chris Prins told Luke Nelson to stop marking Noah and push forward to see if Berwick United could get the goal back and Coach Chris Prins made one more tactical switch bringing off Alex Gligor for Ruben Gligor and Joshua Dudley for David Tadros.

Berwick United continued to press, with the clock ticking down they threw everything they could forward.
On 47 minutes Luke Nelson tackling several Eastern players passed a nice ball through to Jack Cook who with his back towards goal turned and shot. The ball going just wide of the post and the goalkeeper for a goal kick.

As the ball came back out to the Berwick end, the Eastern no 16 was pushing forward tussling with Stephen Capon with the ball at Stephen's feet. Tate Broadbent came out and instead of Stephen kicking to touch he waited for Tate to grab the ball however the no 16 pushed past Stephen and got the ball before Tate could collect it and slotted home from close range to make it 2-0 to Eastern with about 60 seconds left of the game.

This sealed the game for Eastern and not long after the restart the referee blew up for full time to a dejected Berwick United but joyful Eastern side.

So Berwick had suffered their first defeat for the season to the league leaders. It had been a thoroughly entertaining match to watch and perhaps a draw might have been a fair result on the run of play, but a cracking shot by Noah and outstanding saves from the Eastern keeper had been the major difference in why Eastern now go 4 points clear on top of the table.
 
Coach Chris Prins was full of praise for the never say die attitude in the way the Berwick players continued to take the game to Eastern even to the end of the game. He mentioned that with 5 games to go the likelihood of Berwick United reclaiming the mantle as premiers would be hard but not statistically impossible, but would more depend on results going their way and Eastern stumbling.

Next week the team are away to Healesville, another potentially difficult game on paper to win.

 
Michael Capon
Team Coach

HT 0-0  FT 0-2

ROUND 11

Berwick United this week were back on home soil playing against Eltham Northern Eagles.The pitch was in pretty good shape considering a lot of rain had fallen in the preceding week . Eltham Northern Eagles were a side made up of predominantly  Sudanese youth and had upset a couple of teams this season with their play. Their record was won 6, drawn 2, lost 2 -  33 goals for 16 against. 
Berwick United were still down a couple of players with David Tadros and Joshua Dudley away. Both sides were even in height as they lined up.

Tate Broadbent  was captain for the day as Berwick United choose the ends kicking towards the Promenade end. The weather was mildly cold, but dry with a strong wind blowing up the ground towards the floodlight end.
The line-up was Micah Prins and Jack Cook up front with Alex Gligor, Reece Higham, Ruben Gligor and Luke Kitchen in midfield. Adam Kruize, Stephen Capon, Luke Williams & Tate Broadbent were in defence with Luke Nelson in goal. Bernie Saenz started on the bench.

Eltham Northern Eagles kicked off with the wind and sun behind their back and started lively running at the Berwick United midfield and defence, though within 30 seconds Berwick United gained possession when Ruben Gligor had passed off to Jack Cook. Jack took the ball and ran with it into the corner, his cross went across goal to Micah Prins who had pushed forward but was unable to capitalise on the pass.
The game was being played at a frenetic pace, Eltham Northern Eagles were hustling and bustling with and without the ball, this seemed to force the Berwick United team into rushed clearances and passes. Coach Chris Prins yelling out to the players "Tell him he's got time and Don't just kick it!  look for the player."
In the first few minutes the ball was travelling end to end without any clear chances on goal.

On 5 minutes Berwick United coach Chris Prins made his first substitution bringing off Luke Kitchen and bringing on Bernie Saenz.
A minute later Eltham Northern Eagles no 8 came running fast through the Berwick United midfield & defence and down the line and the ball went out off a Berwick United player for a corner.
The resulting corner was cleared by Adam Kruize up field and Jack Cook again tried to push forward working a one-two with Reece Higham and Bernie Saenz but was fouled and on 8 minutes, Reece took the free kick and the ball was cleared by the Eltham Northern Eagles defence and Ruben Gligor showed too much of the ball to the opposition and lost possession.
Berwick United were not playing bad football  but their flowing game was being hampered due to the speed and hassling of the Eltham Northern Eagles players, the Eltham players also kept yelling  "Bounce" as they followed the players around and when the ball bounced which seemed to annoy the Berwick United players.

On 10 minutes Coach Chris Prins made his second substitution bringing off Micah Prins for Luke Kitchen.
Eltham Northern Eagles continued to press in midfield and Reece Higham, Alex Gligor and brother Ruben and Luke Kitchen were being kept busy trying to maintain possession of the ball. On 12 minutes the game suddenly stopped as the referee blew his whistle and proceeded to caution the No 4 Eltham player and showed him the yellow card for swearing.
Tate Broadbent was called upon straight after and tried to control the ball along the far side but the ball went out for a throw-in. All the back four were in fact being kept busy with Luke Williams forcing some strong headers and Adam Kruize and Stephen Capon clearing their lines on a regular basis. Luke Nelson was also strong in goal cutting out some dangerous balls and kicking strongly out of defence into a strong headwind.
 At the other end Luke Kitchen was unlucky when he latched onto an Alex Gligor pass but his shot was well saved by the Eltham Northern Eagles keeper.
Adam Kruize also went on a run and  passed through a crowd of players (several Berwick United players appeared to stray offside but the referee didn't blow) the ball ended up safely in the Eltham Northern Eagles goalies hands.
On 14 minutes Jack Cook went on another of his runs but was bundled of the ball before he could shoot.

In 15th minute Eltham Northern Eagles had their best chance of the game when their tall no 6 took the ball to the dead ball line and cut back a pass across the goal several Eltham Northern Eagles players tried to connect with a fast cross and kicked wildly at the ball and missed. The ball went out for a goal-kick to the relief of all the Berwick United players and supporters.
A minute later Jack Cook was flattened again as he got pushed in the back whilst trying to take on the Eltham Northern Eagles defence though the referee didn't blow for a foul.
Berwick did keep trying to make chances but the Eltham Northern Eagles goalie was quick to spot danger and came out at every opportunity. on 18 minutes with  the ball at his feet Luke Kitchen tried to lob the goalie but the goalie was able to grasp the ball and stop a goal.
On 19 minutes Coach Chris Prins made another substitution bringing off Alex Gligor for Micah Prins.
The game was delicately poised with Eltham Northern Eagles pushing forward with their no 6 making a lot of the play. The referee again stopped play on 21st minute as the ball was in the Berwick United defence and gestured to the No 6 that he was off for something he said, the Eltham Northern Eagles player protested but he had to go and so Eltham were down to 10 men and one of their play-makers was gone.

A minute later Jack took the ball from the half way line and again took on the Eltham Northern Eagles defence his speedy run ended with a shot which was saved by the Eltham Keeper.
As the game ticked over to 24 minutes the referee blew for half time to what had been an interesting first half. 

Coach Chris Prins felt the team had done well despite the tactics of the opposition and that with the wind in Berwick United's favour and the Eltham Northern Eagles goalies propensity to come off his line told the players to chip him when possible.
In the second half  Luke Kitchen went in goal and Luke Nelson went up front with Jack Cook on the wing and Bernie Saenz at centre forward with Reece Higham dropping back to centre back. Ruben Gligor started on the bench. All other positions remained the same.

Berwick United kicked off and Bernie Saenz quickly found Jack Cook  who passed up to Luke Nelson.  Eltham Northern Eagles came across to push the ball out for a throw in. Luke Nelson took it and passed back to Jack Cook who was fouled. The free kick gave Luke Nelson the opportunity to swing in a lovely cross and the Eltham Northern Eagles keeper put the ball out for a corner. For the next couple of minutes Berwick United won two corners and the last corner resulted in Luke Nelson having a shot wide of the goal.
From goal kicks the ball was not travelling as far forward as it did in the first half for Eltham Northern Eagles so Berwick United immediately were able to sustain pressure on the Eltham goal. The goalies ball was controlled by Jack Cook and Alex Gligor shot but the ball was cleared again for another corner on 30 minutes.
Luke Nelson again took an in swinging corner but this time no Berwick United player was able to touch it as it sped through for a goal kick.
In the 31st minute Eltham Northern Eagles themselves pushed forward with Reece Higham and Bernie Saenz trying to stem the flow, in the end Stephen Capon cleared up the field. Alex Gligor passed to Bernie Saenz and his cross was met by Luke Nelson whose shot went wide of the goal.

Berwick United were beginning to string some good play together and with the extra man on the field found space easier to come by.
In the 35th minute Jack Cook was substituted for Ruben Gligor and Ruben dashed up the pitch with the ball and the ball was forced out for a throw-in. Eltham Northern Eagles then brought the ball down into the Berwick United area and shot wide of Berwick United's goal from quite a way out. With the wind behind Luke Kitchen in goal, the resulting goal-kick went over the half way line and was trapped by Reece Higham who passed a lovely ball through to Luke Nelson, Luke using his speed ran forward towards goal into the penalty area and as the Eltham Northern Eagles goalkeeper came rushing out, Luke was able to slot the ball wide of the approaching keeper into the inside netting of the goal to make it 1-0 to Berwick in the 38th minute. Luke Nelson though had felt the full force of the goalie in the tackle and sluggishly dragged himself to his feet.

The deadlock had been broken and cheers rang out from the Berwick United supporters.

Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution taking off Micah Prins for Jack Cook.
From the restart Berwick United took control of the ball and again pushed up field, Berwick lifted and began to pass the ball around. On the 40 minute mark Ruben Gligor who had been having a good game took on the Eltham Northern Eagles defenders and took the ball towards the Eltham corner flag and double backed and crossed a high floating cross ball and there to meet it at the far post was brother Alex Gligor who joyfully kicked the ball using the outside of his right boot into the goal as the goalie approached to make it 2-0 to Berwick United.
Eltham Northern Eagles tried to lift their heads but Berwick United were now in control and quickly regained possession of the ball and maintained pressure on the Eltham Northern Eagles goal. From a goal kick the ball went straight to Luke Nelson who side footed the ball wide of the goal.

The ball didn't seem to get more than the half way line at best, with the strong wind and Bernie Saenz and Reece Higham were controlling the play well, releasing Jack Cook and Luke Nelson on several occasions. On 43 minutes Jack Cook was able to get a shot off at goal but it flew straight into the Eltham Northern Eagles goalkeeper's arms.
Then Bernie Saenz tried a play with Alex Gligor but the Eltham Northern Eagles defence cleared and moments later Reece Higham released Ruben Gligor with a ball but the goalkeeper cleared.
As the ball came back out Reece Higham seeing the goalkeeper off his line lobbed the ball straight back towards the keeper but with enough angle for it to drop over the keepers head and into the goal to make it 3-0 to Berwick after 46 minutes.

Coach Chris Prins then made another substitution taking off Reece Higham for Micah Prins.
Berwick United continued to press and Ruben Gligor did some fancy footwork to release Luke Nelson  who was fouled. From the free kick Luke Nelson then curled a high ball which the keeper punched out, Alex Gligor collected the rebound and his shot bobbled across the goal square and went agonisingly close to the near post  before going out for a goal kick.

The referee blew up for full time to a game of two very different halves. Berwick United needed to focus in the first half  and were well in control during the second half.
So another good win. Coach Chris Prins & the team thanked the Eltham Northern Eagles players for the game then joined in a rousing chorus of the Berwick theme song as they left the pitch.

Next week the team are playing the lead leaders Eastern away which could potentially decide who wins the premiership this season.

 
Michael Capon
Team Coach

HT 0-0  FT 3-0

Goal scorers week 11
Luke Nelson 38 mins, Alex Gligor 40 mins, Reece Higham 46 mins

ROUND 9

Berwick United this week soared to new heights this time on Mount Dandenong at the home ground of Monbulk Jackeroos, Melbourne had experienced some chilly mornings of late and here there was fog rolling in on the ground and no sign of the sun and all of us was feeling the cold for this 9am kick off. Monbulk Jackeroos had won 2 of their games and drawn one and were sitting in the lower half of the table. Monbulk had conceded thirty three goals and had only scored sixteen in their 9 games. Berwick United welcomed back Luke Kitchen but Joshua Dudley was still feeling the affects of croup.

Ruben Gligor was captain for the day as Berwick United choose the ends. The weather was grey, foggy and extremely cold, you could just see patches through the cloud further down the valley.
The line-up was Micah Prins and Jack Cook up front with Alex Gligor, David Tadros, Ruben Gligor and Bernie Saenz in midfield. Adam Kruize, Stephen Capon, Luke Williams & Tate Broadbent were in defence with Reece Higham in goal. Luke Nelson and Luke Kitchen started on the bench.

Monbulk Jackeroos kicked off and within 30 seconds Berwick United gained possession when David Tadros passed through to Jack Cook who took the ball into the corner, his pass went back to David on the goal line but his shot went out for a goal kick.
As the ball came back down from the goalkeeper the Monbulk Jackeroos no 12  was able to get past Stephen Capon who was in the last line of defence but he shot wide of the goal on the near side. Stephen redeemed himself moment later when he cleared the danger from another attack from Monbulk, kicking out for a throw in.
Both sides were finding it hard to get going in the cold, slightly foggy conditions. Berwick United were certainly not their fluid best. On 3 minutes, good work from Jack Cook passed through to David Tadros, his pass released Alex Gligor whose kick went just wide of the goal on the near side.
Monbulk Jackeroos were also pressing hard, Stephen Capon and Tate Broadbent were being kept busy as well as Adam Kruize and Luke Williams. The defenders were slipping and sliding all over the place on the muddy greasy pitch.
Jack Cook was working well with David Tadros who was relishing his spot at centre forward. On 6 minutes Jack was again in the action when he pushed forward but as he progressed down the field he pushed the ball too far and was overpowered off the ball. The ball came back up the other end and Stephen Capon was again under pressure but he and Tate working together was able to put the ball out for a throw in.
Luke Williams was also called into action shortly after and he was able to get a good move forward by passing to Bernie Saenz who fed the ball to Jack Cook. Jack took on the defender and his shot went just wide.
The game was going end to end, and on 10 minutes coach Chris Prins made his first substitution bringing off Stephen Capon and bringing on Luke Nelson. Monbulk Jackeroos then tried their luck from long range shooting wide of the goal. From the goal kick from Reece Higham on 11 minutes Bernie Saenz collected the ball and passed through to Micah Prins who passed back to David Tadros and from a good 30 metres out, David took aim and lobbed a long curling shot at goal, the ball went high and as it fell it went between the crossbar and the arms of the Monbulk Jackeroos goalkeeper into the back off the net. 1-0 to Berwick.
Ruben Gligor was having a quieter game than normal but was taking his role as Captain responsibly shout