Bears in safe hands for Pratt’s milestone - MICHELLE MEEHAN
It’s not easy being the last line of defence.
But Weston Bears goalkeeper Tim Pratt hasn’t looked back....
Read more online at the Maitland Mercury
NNSWFF allocated this weekend as one free of all State League games due to the State Solo Cup. This meant the Bears who were knocked out of the cup last round would finally have the opportunity to play the postponed round 5 clash against Broadmeadow Magic at Wanderers Oval.
The Bears, who only 2 weeks earlier were still looking at the possibility of going back to back Premiers now find themselves in 4th position and only 3 points ahead of 5th after suffering 3 losses and a draw from the 4 games played in this period.
Jamie Subat and Micky Ryan combined brilliantly before playing the ball to Robbie Turnbull who almost gave the Bears a dream start forcing a good save from the Magic's keeper in only the 2nd minute. The Bears continued to place the Magic's defence under plenty of early pressure and Corey Fletcher was unlucky not to get on the score sheet when his great effort was again well saved by the keeper who parried the ball out for a corner. The resulting corner saw Matt Toohey finally beat the Magic's keeper but this time it was the upright that stopped the Bears taking the lead.
The match was being played at an extremely fast pace with play constantly going from end to end. This meant that Magic also had some good chances and the only thing that stopped them putting the Bears behind in the 26th minute was Carl Thornton who positioned himself perfectly to clear the ball off the line when Bears keeper Tim Pratt was beaten. Rhys Tippett, who for many seasons was a fan favourite at the Bears before leaving to continue his playing career with the Magic was forced from the field after injuring his hamstring only minutes later. Tippett's replacement didn't waste any time settling into the match and dented the Bears hopes with the opening goal in the 34th minute.
The 2nd half continued with the fast pace of the first but now the physical style of the play was being stepped up. This benefited the Bears when they received a free kick for an over zealous challenge on Tyson Fletcher in the 58th minute. Nathan Morris was suspended from the match so Mick Holt stepped up and delivered a ball into the box from 40 mts out on the right that alluded everybody in the crowded penalty area and into the net for the leveller.
Magic showed why there is daylight between them and 2nd place on the ladder when they immediately hit back with their 2nd goal to snatch the lead back only 3 minutes after the Bears goal. 10 minutes later Jamie Subat had a fantastic opportunity to level the scores with a 1 on 1 but he failed to beat the advancing keeper before Magic also had a 1 on 1 chance, but Tim Pratt was too strong and the score remained 1-2 for the Bears 6th loss of the season.
U/23's lost 0-3 to continue their season to forget.
Next week the Bears are back home at Thomas & Coffey Park on Sunday for the important match against 2nd place Lake Macquarie. The 2 sides have met twice already this season with both games being of high quality ending 1-1 in each. The day will also see the club hold its annual Old Boys Day along with the Sponsor Day.
C'MON YOU BEARS!!!!!!
A busy week awaited the Bears playing 2 games in 4 days. The first was a rescheduled match away at Lake Macquarie on Thursday Night and the second, round 16 away at Edgeworth on Sunday.
The Lake Macquarie game was an even contest with Lakes looking likely to take the 3 points until a last min equaliser from the head of Mick Ryan ensured that the Bears snatched a well earned point from the game. The Edgeworth game was a typical Bears v Edgeworth clash with plenty of feeling in the match, however this time the Bears went down 1-2.
The first half saw the Bears play the better football and dominate the game. The Bears dominance was rewarded via a Jamie Subat goal in the 31st minute. Subats goal was created by some wonderful vision on the part of Nathan Morris who threaded a perfectly waited through ball in behind the Edgeworth defence from inside his own half for Subat. Subat then had 30 mtrs in front of him before he met the advancing keeper, he then calmly slotted the ball past him and into the net to give the Bears a deserved 1-0 lead which they took to the break.
The Bears in recent weeks have had some shocking penalty decisions go against them but they had no reason for complaint this time around. Bears defender Carl Thornton clearly tugged at the shirt of the Edgeworth attacker and impeded his scoring chance which left the referee no option other to point to the spot. Luckily for the Bears, Carl Thornton escaped a booking but keeper Tim Pratt was unable to get a hand on the penalty and Edgeworth levelled the ledger 1-1.
Edgeworth were now having the better of the play and creating numerous chances on goal. Bears defenders Tyson Fletcher and Chris Cousins both made excellent goal line clearances in the 70th and 72nd minutes while keeper Tim Pratt did a great job snuffing out 1 on 1's on at least 4 occasions. The Bears also had some 2nd half chances with the best coming from a corner that forced a goal mouth scramble that struck the bottom of the square Edgeworth post in the 76th min.
Last week Edgeworth scored a fantastic goal from a direct free kick and they showed it was no mistake when they once again found the net from a similar distance to put the Bears behind 1-2 with only 4 minutes remaining. The Bears threw everything at Edgeworth looking for the equaliser but they ran out of time and went down 1-2.
U/23's showed plenty of improvement and took an early 1-0 lead before slipping behind 1-3. The Bears showed plenty of character and fought back to level the score at 3-3 and control the game but in the end poor finishes was all that stopped them taking all 3 points and they had to settle for a 3-3 draw. Scorers were L Beyer and a brace to D Field. U/19's like the 23's were left to rue missed opportunities and also had to share the points 1-1. N Thompson the scorer.
Next Saturday the Bears travel to the home of the competition run away leaders, Broadmeadow Magic. First Grade kick off at 2:00
C'MON YOU BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bears travelled to a chilly Lake Macquarie and scored in the last minute, via a Mick Ryan strike, that ensured they shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
The U23s had a good night working hard and converting their opportunities in a 3-2 win.
C'MON YOU BEARS!!!
