MATCH REPORT

FC WESTERN (1) V FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE (2)

FDMC Central Finance wrapped up a demanding pre season schedule with a well earned victory over FC Western and two stunning strikes from forwards Morgan HALL and Tomas MOSQUERA - although they made hard work of a game that they never looked like losing.

Starting confidently and enjoying large amounts of posession, FDMC Central Finance failed to capitalise on their early advantage with some sloppy passing and casual attacking play. Frustration started to creep in as a number of good opportunities were wasted and there was a real sense of relief when the deadlock was broken with a sublime 25 yard rasping drive from Morgan HALL mid way through the half. FDMC Central Finance continued to apply considerable pressure on their opponents; dominating territory and possession but lacking composure at vital times.

The second half started with a much better tempo and an overall desire to improve on the first half performance. Better passing and an increase in energy saw the pattern of the game continue in our favour but FC Western took full advantage of a rare forrage into their opponents penalty area to score a fluke equalising goal from a cross that took a wicked deflection of a retreating defender.

This misfortune instantly spurred on the team to raise the level of their performance and in the last 20 minutes of the game FDMC Central Finance played some of their best football narrowly missing a number of opportunities to extend the lead. That was until Tomas MOSQUERA latched on to the ball just outside the penalty area with 5 minutes to go and lashed the ball hard and low into the far corner of the goal - a tremendous strike and a well deserved goal that resulted in a hard earned victory.

PLAYER NEWS

FDMC Central Finance confirms the signing of both Domenico SQUATRITI (Senior) and Geoff ANDREWS from local club New Plymouth Rangers for the 2008 season.

FDMC would like to extend a warm welcome to both players who will provide a wealth of football experience and an in depth knowledge of the Senior Men's Grade Premier Division. Domenico has spent the last three seasons as player / coach for NPR and brought much success to the club including victory in the 2007 Duff Rose Bowl Final against Waitara. He also has many years previous experience as both a player and coach at Motoroa AFC and he has significant experience coaching young local players at both Representitive and Federation level.

Geoff also has significant playing experience in the Taranaki Premier League and has recently been involved in managing the 15th Grade Taranaki Representative football team. It is hoped that both Domenico and Geoff will provide inspiration and leadership as we seek to develop our talented group of young players and they will both make the team more competitive at this level.

MATCH REPORT

Waitara (3) v FDMC Central Finance (0)

FDMC Central Finance came down to earth after their early success against Motoroa last week with a defeat at the hands of 2007 League Champions, Waitara - but the scoreline did not reflect the general pattern of the game or offer the rewards that FDMC Central Finance might well have deserved. Waitara fielded a strong team on the day, including a number of Team Taranaki and "guest players" in a fixture that excited the many specators watching.

Playing four quarters of 20 minutes, FDMC started well but wasted two gilt edge chances to take the lead early on after some creative midfield play. FDMC continued to play some excellent football and looked comfortable going in to the first break, but conceded a late goal after a composed finish from "guest player" and NPBHS old boy Edmund SMITH.

FDMC Central Finance went on to have the better of the second quarter and continued to create a number of chances which ultimately went begging. However, it was again SMITH who extended the lead mid way through the third quarter, rounding off a neat attacking move with another cool finish and he quickly stepped up to claim his hatrick when he converted a disputed penalty in possibly the only period of dominance that the home team enjoyed.

FDMC Central Finance responded well in the final quarter with considerable pressure as the team continued to pass the ball with accuracy and penetration. A number of chances followed as MOSQUERA saw one chance cleared off the line and another shot crash of the cross bar. Player of the Day, Rory GARNER then forced the keeper into a spectacular save with a rasping long range effort.

In the final moments, FDMC Central Finance may have realised that it was not going to be thier day when yet another superb effort, this time from Lance MOLYNEUX, rattled against the cross bar only to see Shane GARNER unable to convert the rebound from close range. Overall it was another good team performance, distorted by a flattering three goal margin that did not reflect the overall game but underlines the importance of taking chances at this level.

MATCH IMAGES

MATCH REPORT

MOTOROA AFC (1) V FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE (2)

FDMC recorded an early pre season victory against Motoroa AFC with a very controlled and mature performance that saw them take a 2-0 lead, both goals coming from the boot of Stephen KIBBY. The first a clinical strike following a goal mouth scramble and a second was quickly added with a well taken penalty.

FDMC contained their opponents well and restricted them to few real chances whilst continuing to create a number of good goal scoring opportunities at the other end - the pace and power of forwards Morgan HALL and Tomas MOSQUERA a constant threat. However, Motoroa struck back just before half time with Team Taranaki Captain, Jared McElhannan grabbing a spectacular goal against the run of play with a long range strike from just outside the box.

Motoroa enjoyed more posession early in the second half but dogged defensive work and two fine saves from keeper Stefan WALSH preserved the one goal advantage. As the second half developed, both HALL and MOSQUERA continued to threaten the Motoroa defence at will and both players were unfortunate not to extend the lead on a number of occassions as FDMC finished strongly to record a well deserved and historic win.

PLAYER NEWS

Under 19 NZ Triathlon Team - World Champs 2008

Edward Rawles, has recently recieved international recognition - although his fantastic success in gaining an invitation to represent the Under 19 NZ Triathlon Team and compete in the World Championships in Vancouver, Canada later this year will mean that he will be unavailable for all soccer this season. He is required to attend a series of training camps, including a months "build up" camp in Queensland, Australia in April. FDMC Soccer wishes Edward all the very best in his new pursuits and we are extremely proud of his recent achievements, even though he will be sorely missed on the soccer field this season. Edward was one of the stand out players throughout a very successfull season in 2007 and he played an integral part in the teams success.

FIXTURES

1st X1 PRE SEASON FRIENDLIES CONFIRMED

Sat 15th March

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE vs Motoroa AFC (A) - K.O. 2.30pm

Sat 22nd March

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE vs Waitara (A) - K.O. 3p.m

Sat 29th March

FDMC CENTRAL FINANCE vs FC Western (A) - K.O. 11a.m

The first league fixture is scheduled for Sat 5th April.

TEAM NEWS

FDMC received final confirmation from Central Soccer Taranaki last week that there application to join Taranaki's Senior Men's football clubs in the newly revised league format for 2008 had been successful. The 1st X1 squad, known as FDMC Central Finance will take their place in an inaugural 12 team Premier Division that will see them playing against the best local competition in Taranaki - including an eagerly anticipated fixture against old rivals NPBHS.

• The new format will involve every team playing each other once in Round 1 to determine the Top 8 and the Bottom 4 teams respectively.

• In Round 2 the Top 8 teams carry on and play against each other to thrash out the Championship, whilst the Bottom 4 teams join with the Top 4 teams from Division 1 to play out their remaining games of the season. The top two teams in this hybrid division will earn the right to be promoted back into a ten team Premier Division for the 2009 season.

• All of the top 16 teams at the end of Round 1 will proceed into the Duff Rose Bowl competition.