Weston Bears Football Club -

The Bears travelled to Broadmeadow Magic Wanderers Oval looking to build on the 2-1 lead they held from the 1st leg semi final at Thomas and Coffey Park last week and book a spot in the 2011 NBN State League Grand Final but unfortunately for the Bears the jinx of Wanderers Oval continued and they lost the match 0-3.

Last week the Bears out enthused Broadmeadow with a very "in your face style" of football but it was evident from the kick off that this game was going to be a different story with the Bears looking very flat and as a result they were under the pump from the get go. Magic almost took the lead in the opening minutes but the large number of travelling Bears supporters were relieved to see the header rebound off the far post and out for a goal kick.

Bears midfielder Nathan Morris almost did the unthinkable in the 20th min when his miss timed header looked to have beaten Tim Pratt but the far post once again was the saviour. Magic were dominating the game and the Bears luck finally ran out 2 minutes later when Magic headed past a stranded Pratt to take the lead and even the aggregate up.

Magic's were now showing why they were run away winners of the Premiership playing the better football of the 2 sides. Hopes were still high that the Bears could turn this around but in the 36th minute their Grand Final chances took a massive dive when Magic bent a free kick around the 2 man wall to put them ahead in both the match and also aggregate.

Bears Coach Darren Elkin clearly gave the Bears the half time talk that they needed and they came from the sheds looking more urgent and the change of attitude almost paid dividends with 3 decent chances coming within the first few minutes of the restart. Unfortunately for the Bears supporters the resurgence was short lived and Magic again started to take control and they put to bed any chance of the Bears competing in back to back Grand Finals when they found the net for the 3rd time with only 7 minutes remaining. This now meant that the Bears needed to score twice in the small amount of time remaining but the Magic defence proved too hard to crack and the Bears bowed out 2-4 on aggregate.

The U/19's also suffered the same fate as the top grade and bowed out of their finals series losing 2-0 to Valentine in the second leg of their semi final. Having taken a 2-1 lead from the 1st leg and finding themselves 2 down they couldn't find the goals needed to progress to the grand final.

The season may be over for the 3 senior grades but the Bears of the future will be on display at Thomas and Coffey Park on Saturday when they play their Grand Final with kick off at 9am. The club would like to take this opportunity to wish the U/15 Bears all the best for their big game and also congratulate everybody involved in both the U/19's and First Grade sides on their successful season and look forward to 2012.

C'MON YOU BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!