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.

TEAM NEWS

NZSSS LINWOOD CUP 2007 - BRONZE MEDALISTS

As we edge towards a new season lets not forget the fantastic achievements of the 1st X1 squad from 2007, who went unbeaten during the inter school season and reached the semi final of the NZSSS Linwood Cup held in Palmerston North. Locked at 1-1 after extra time in the semi final against Lindesfarne College, FDMC squandered a number of chances to finish them off only to lose narrowly on a penalty shoot out. The boys recovered well to beat local rivals Spotswood College in the 3rd/4th play off and rightly claim the Bronze Medal.

Many of the same players are still eligible to play for the college again this season as they look to set their sights even higher by playing in the Taranaki Senior Men's Premier Division and applying for the pinnacle of NZSSS football - Lotto Premier.

PLAYER NEWS

Stephen KIBBY has successfully featured in the 2008 National Youth League for Hawkes Bay Utd this season and soon found himself pitting his witts against FDMC Old Boy, Michael Reive, as he made his "debut" against Young Heart Manawatu two weeks ago. Hawkes Bay Utd ran out 3-1 winners on the day, with Stephen coming on for the second half.

They then followed up with yet another convincing 3-0 victory at home to rivals, Cantebury last weekend with Stephen scoring two goals and starting to make a real impact at this level.

Congratulations to both Stephen and Michael and we hope that you both enjoy the rest of the 2008 National Youth League season.

TEAM NEWS

MORGAN HALL LEADS THE WAY!!

FDMC 1st X1 hopefuls being put through there paces during a Pre Season training schedule that started on the 12 February. Training three times a week, these young players are experiencing a very demanding programme of fitness and conditioning in preparation of their first season in the Senior Men's Premier Grade this season. Here are just some of those players giving everything that they have got!!

PLAYER NEWS

FDMC BOASTS AN INTERNATIONAL CALL UP!!

Stephen KIBBY has been included in the NZ U17 World Cup Development Squad and will compete in the U19 National Youth League for Hawkes Bay during the 2008 season. He will be expected to attend a series of NZ training camps throughout the year as the squad finalise their preparations for the 2009 U17 FIFA World Cup to be held on the African continent.

Stephen earned his call up with some outstanding performances, as captain of the Central Soccer 15th Grade Boys team, at the recent Federation National Tournament. He led his team to "Runners Up" for the third year in a row and was a stand out player in the victory against Tournament winners Auckland - the first time that this team had lost in 3 years.

We wish him well in his endeavours this year as he strives to be selected in the full squad and receive a unique opportunity to play on a world stage.

Congratulations to the following players from FDMC who also successfully represented Central Soccer at either 13th, 14th or 15th Grade this season or played at the final Tournament, which was held in Napier between 15th and 20th December.

Adon BURKETT

Dom SQUATRITI

Thomas SMITH

Mark MCLAUCHLAN

Shane GARNER

FDMC vs Cavendish Road State High (Brisbane, Australia) 4th December 2007 Motoroa AFC, New Plymouth

MATCH REPORT

FDMC (3) vs Cavendish Road High School (4)

A fabulous game of football to end a thrilling and unique experience for over 40 junior soccer players from New Zealand and Australia - the score ended 4-3 to the visiting Cavendish Road High School team after three thirds of exciting football.

FDMC dominated the first third and recorded a comfortable 2-0 lead after some neat play and superb finishing. Goals midway through the match by Team Captain, Shane Garner and a magnificent strike from 25 yards, by Damien Mosquera, enabled the hosts to record a deserved early victory for a dominant performance.

FDMC made 10 changes for the next third which saw the pendulum swing in favour of the opposition. Cavendish Road High School started to really click and responded with some sweeping moves and well taken goals of their own. FDMC found themselves battling in vain and they struggled to contain the opposition at times, but the players put in a committed performance and managed to score a well taken goal from young Lee Conley, to recover some pride and establish a 3-3 aggregate score going into the last third of football.

A highly charged last 30 minutes of football saw both teams have chances to take the lead but neither team seemed able to dominate territory or possession, finding it difficult to find a way through two determined defences.

An injury to Aydon Burkett, forced a late change in goal and with seconds left on the clock Cavendish Road gained a free kick just outside the penalty area. A cruel twist of fate saw the resulting shot spilled by the replacement goalkeeper, straight into the path of the oncoming forwards who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the back of the net.

On a day when the end result was less important than the experience, FDMC can reflect on a fantastic game of football and a unique opportunity to host a an overseas tour from Australia. It was certainly the case that football was the overall winner and i would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved who all played their part in making this experience an extremely successful one.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Francis FORSYTHE for the personal effort that he made to facilitate this opportunity in the first place and make it possible.

In addition, we would also like to acknowledge the support of TRANSFIELD WORLEY LTD for their kind donation and support for the event and after match function.

Photographs of the day to follow - watch this space.