Week 2 of Semi Finals Recap
Post date: Aug 13, 2018 8:39:40 AM
After week 1 of the semi finals we saw two teams go straight to the Grand Final while another 7 had to play in the Preliminary Final last weekend.
The first of the preliminary finals was played at 12.30pm on Saturday where our All Age Division 12 team had a clash against Earlwood. The Titans suffered their first loss the week before but bounced back with a vengeance to win 4-0 and advance to the Grand Final against Marrickville this Saturday.
We then had three games at 2.30pm.
Our All Age Div 13 came up against Minor Premiers in Belmore and started as the better team but as the game wore on it become a fairly even contest. Unfortunately, Cooks River conceded a goal in the second half and weren't able to peg it back. In the end they conceded another and ended up going down 2-0 and being eliminated.
Our AA13s were still in good spirits after a great season where they moved from 3rd last to make it one game from the Grand Final
Our Over 35 Division 5 team also fronted up against Minor Premiers Hurlstone Park but this time it was the sky blues were were on the right end of the 2-0 scoreline. A goal in either half was enough to see the men advance to the Grand Final this Saturday against Concord.
Concurrently our Over 35 Div 4 team were involved in a thriller also against Minor Premiers this time in Abbotsford. The first half was fairly even as reflected by the 0-0 scoreline. The Titans minds were probably still in half time mode as Abbotsford scored a minute after the restart. Cooks River then piled on the pressure and hit the post before finally grabbing an equaliser. The score remained 1-1 and the game went into extra time golden goal. The Titans were clearly on top and again hit the woodwork in the first and second period of extra time but could not break the deadlock so the match went into penalties where Cooks River prevailed 7-6 after 8 penalties each. They play in this Saturday's Grand Final against Marrickville.
On Sunday we had three matches starting off with our Under 15 Div 1 at 10.30am against Lakemba in windy conditions. Lakemba scored off a lucky bounce but Cooks River dominated and eventually scored twice within 5 minutes to take a 2-1 half time lead. The second half was more even and Lakemba equalised and then scored a penalty with just 8 minutes to go to take a 3-2 lead. Moments later the Titans also earned a penalty which was initially missed but scored with the follow through to level the scores again at 3-3. With 2 minutes left a long drive from distance went into the bottom corner to give the Sky Blues a memorable 4-3 win. They will face Earlwood in the Grand Final on Sunday.
Our All Age Sunday Div 1 team face off against Earlwood at 1.45pm but could only draw upon 11 players due to a few injuries and absentees. They were coming off a difficult match the week before but battled hard against the odds with their opposition having multiple substitutes to keep the players fresh. Unfortunately, the Titans conceded a goal in the first half and valiantly tried to find a response but in the end conceded another 2 goals in the second half to go down 3-0 and therefore exit the competition.
Our All Age Sunday Div 2 team played a tricky Hurlstone Park outfit which was also scheduled to start at 1.45pm but was delayed due to the previous matches going into extra time and penalties. When the game eventually started they immediately took control and managed to take a 1-0 lead into the half time break. They scored again and doubled their advantage in the second half. They added a third goal before Hurlstone Park scored a consolation goal. The Titans will now face the undefeated Minor Premiers in Roselands in the Grand Final on Sunday afternoon.
Congratulations once again to all 9 teams who made it to this stage of the competition.
In a huge year for the Club, seven teams (U15/1, AAS/2, AA/8, AA/12, O35/1, O35/4, and O35/5) have qualified for the Grand Final this coming weekend. Wishing them all the best of luck.