By BRIAN STOCKWELL
Noosa Lions travelled down the Steve Irwin Way for the main games on Saturday with Beerwah Glasshouse.
The afternoon program commenced with the Under 14 Division 1 side. Both teams were evenly matched and the Noosa boys were determined to come back from a 1-0 deficit at the break.
Coming out with renewed vigour, the Noosa forwards Stephen Price, Michael Martin and Finn Still had repeated skirmishes into the red zone and soon levelled the scores.
In what has become a trend of recent for Noosa, they dominated possession in the midfield and had numerous shots on target in the second half with defenders easily controlling any Beegees raids.
Just when players’ and parents’ hopes were raised, the Beegees’ goalie saved a penalty shot and shortly after they then went on to hit a pearler from a free kick 20-25 metres out.
Beegees repeating their first round victory in the last minute defeating an improving Noosa side 2-1.
In the next game, Beegees came out in the Reserve Grade game full of running, but the more accomplished Noosa Lions team started to dominate midway through the first half.
Goals to Corey Lovewell, Luke Luke Sheridan and Benny Amson were workmanlike but the goal of the game was from the foot of ‘bend it like Beckham’ Beau Lyall.
His strike from 25-30 metres would have had Mark Shwarzer left in its wake.
The main game was a different affair with the Madill’s Motor Group Noosa Premier Men’s team coming up against the cellar dwellers. Beegees had no answer, other than a few very late and misguided tackles to Noosa’s pace and passing game.
From stylish strikes by midfielder Alex Barlow, aerobatic headers from Aaron Waters to and even Bolivian belly buttons (Mauricio Rodriguez) ushering balls into the back of the net.
Noosa finished with 10 goals and 10 men on the field.
Michael Williams, Noosa’s stalwart defender, having some rare time up front, sustaining an ankle injury from a very late and misguided tackle, having to leave the field after all the substitutions had been made.
Noosa 10 – Beegees 1.
It was a night for draws on Friday night.
The men’s thirds had a good hard-fought 2-2 draw with Kawana playing with 10 men for most of the game.
Coastal Women’s White had 0-0 draw away against a very physical Buderim side but managed to maintain a share of top spot on the ladder with their stablemates Noosa Blue having an impressive draw with equal ladder leaders Cooroora at home.
