U11 Div 3 (2)  Vs  Robina (1)        

Goal scorers: Zac 1 and Callum M 1

A very even game was played for most of the first half. Nerang were unlucky to concede a goal. Going into the second half 1 - 0 down Nerang never gave up. With some excellent team work near the goal Callum M was able to capitalise after receiving a great pass from Zac to level the scores. Nerang received a free kick late in the game and a well executed strike from Zac gave Nerang a 2 -1 lead which they held on to and won the game. Nathan was excellent running out of defence while Brooke and Kiri applied a lot of pressure in the midfield. Both Callum’s played great games but Man of the Match went to Nathan who had his best game for the season. Well done Boys and Girls.

U9 Red (1) Vs Robina Green (5) 

Goal Scorers: Aedan Reiach (1)

Player of the Match: Joshua Nieass

Video Ezy: Mitchell Thomas (A Great Game)

U7 Green (2)  Vs  Mudgeeraba Blue (4)  

All the players played a good defence game this week.  It was just bad luck they didn’t win.  The team needs to practise goal scoring – this is what lost the game.  Two of our players stood out this week they were Gethro and Zahlia.  Mitchell scored our 2 goals and also got player of the match as well.

U6 Red (15)  Vs  Nerang Blue (3)

All players played well and had fun. The teamwork was wonderful to watch. Kaleb scored his first goals of the season and finished the match with a total of 4 goals.  Cameron also scored, reaching double figures. Players of the match were Jade E and Jade M. Although only two boys scored, the result was a team effort and was fabulous to watch.

11 Girls (2)  Vs  Merrimac (4)

The girls were up against a physically bigger side and tried hard throughout. We took the lead early when Lillian converted a free kick only to allow Merrimac to equalise shortly after. Renee Jackson restored our lead when she slammed home from 10m. In the 2nd half, we couldn't hold off the fast finishing Merrimac and they eventually ran out 4 - 2 winners. It is pleasing to see many of the girls trying to control and pass the ball to a team mate. Retaining our positions still requires some work but all the girls tried hard and everyone is improving week by week ensuring we are competitive. The player of the match award went to Zali.

U11 Div3 (0)  Vs  Runaway Bay (4)

It was a hard fought battle between two good teams. Nerang got off to a good start creating a lot of chances but were unlucky not to capitalise. Runaway Bay made the most of their chances and kicked a few goals while Nerang never gave up. Scotty and Blake played great games and never stopped trying as well as Callum Bates-Brownsword who is improving with every game. Man of the Match went to Kiri Ihakara who had an excellent game tackling well and creating a lot of opportunities for the rest of the team. Well done Boys and Girls.

U9 Red (4)  Vs  Gold Coast Knights Red (0)

Goal Scorers: Ryan Paton (2) Joshua Nieass (1)

Player of the Match: Ryan Paton

Video Ezy: Andrew Keen (Encouragement)

U7 Green (5)  Vs  Palm Beach (11)    

The players have progressed well from last week’s match, all had a better idea of where their positions were this week.  The passing of the ball has improved this week. Mitchell scored 4 of our goals and Ta-ariki scored the other one.  The player of the match was Luke O’Brien.

U6 Red (3)  Vs  Broadbeach Blue (0)  

Our first win of the season, had Saxon and Declan scoring their first goals. Cameron also scored his second goal for the season. Everyone played well and once again enjoyed playing soccer. Players of the match were Kaleb and Saxon.

U14 Div1 Vs Runaway Bay

The match against Runaway Bay was an exciting and high quality game between two evenly matched sides. Runaway Bay started brightly and soon had the Eagles under pressure. If not for some outstanding saves by Keeper and captain Lucas Chicco, we would have certainly been behind. Midway through the first half, Matt Smith went down the right flank. He worked hard to recover lost possession and whipped in a left foot cross from the side line where Liam Calley brilliantly positioned himself to head over the advancing keeper to give us the lead. Again Runaway Bay pressed hard and Lucas was ably supported by his defence (Lewis Smart, Corey Mills, Aidan Jackson & Max Gabath) who held tight.

Into the 2nd half and again Runway Bay pressed but our defence was up to the task. All the team was defending well with Jordan McPherson, Jacob Sintome and Sam Stevens working their backsides off. Kane Darker gave us plenty of options up front and never stopped running. Eventually Runway Bay breached our lines and equalised ten minutes from time. We never gave up and with 3 minutes on the clock, Jacob Sintome smashed home the winner from close range following up great lead up by Liam Calley and Matt Smith. The Player of the Match award was shared between Lucas Chicco for an outstanding performance in goals and Liam Calley for touches of brilliance in attack but in reality all 12 performed admirably. Special mention to Lewis Smart & Max Gabath who had their first serious run for the season and both played without a break.

This was a fast paced game of high quality. The performance from the boys was very good and will set them up for a good season.

Open Women’s Division 1 (4)  Vs  Southport (1)  

Our third game for the season & what a difference a couple of weeks make - after losses of 8-0 & 10-1 we started our night with a pep talk!!!!! Everybody & I mean everybody put their bodies on the line for a bruising encounter which saw us take the lead through a glorious goal from "Gay" giving their keeper no chance. We seemed to take charge of the game only to allow Southport to equalise, where as in previous weeks we had crumbled, we fought back & through another great through ball "Gay" latched onto another cracker. Half time 2-1. We kicked off the second half with a lot more confidence even though Southport stepped up a gear it was our girls who seemed to enjoy the challenge. We had a few opportunities to score but it wasn't until late in the game that "Naomi" finished beautifully from a great team build up & "Gay" with her hatrick helped us to a 4-1 win. Well done to a great team effort & thankyou to the young girls who performed really well. Foxy.

U11 Div3 (3)  Vs  Palm Beach (1)

Goal scorers: Zac 2, Jarred 1

A Nerang team consisting of only 10 players gave 110% to beat Palmy 3 - 1. Brooke and Nathan were unbeatable in defence, while  both Callums and Jarred made excellent line breaks from the wings. If not for an unfortunate reflex handball in the last 10 minutes it may have been 3 - 0. Man of the Match went to Zac who kicked 2 goals and never stopped running and covering many positions on the field. Well done Boys and Girls.

U9 Red (8)  Vs  Magic United Red (2)

Goal Scorers: Aedan Reiach (3) Leo Brackele (1) Mitchell Thomas (1) Kye Meizer (1) Mitchell Scullin (1)

Player of the Match: Leo Brakele

Video Ezy: Luke Jones (A Great Game)

U8 Red (0)  Vs Runaway Bay Maroon (4)

For our first game of the season we travelled to Runaway Bay & I must say how proud I was to see the team play so well with such enthusiasm. We had the first few chances on goal but it was the their star striker who clipped the Eagles Wings (Quote from the great Jacko). Down 4-0 at half time we rearranged the team & marked their star striker a little closer. It ended at 4-0 but not without our player of the match "Maccy" having a couple of shots just miss the outside of the post. All in all I can say the team performed brilliantly had lots of fun doing so. I am looking forward to the rest of the season. Coach Foxy.

U7 Red  Vs  Southport

Goal Scorers: Ethan & Gemma

Good effort by all for the first game of 2010. Newcomers to the team Ethan and player of the match Cody had good games with solid performances from Gemma and Ben. Kynan and Jade also gave their all.

U7 Green (5)  Vs  Burleigh Heads (16)     

For the first match everyone tried hard, the players were unsure as to their positions on the field but the game flowed well. Kyle Skerke scored 3 goals and Mitchell Knox scored 2, the player of the match was Te-ariki Waipours-Rerekura.

U6 Red  (1)  Vs  Surfers Red (14)   

It was an exciting first game for all players and supporters on the sideline.  We had a variety of mums, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents come for our first game of the year.  We played a great team in Surfers and although we lost, the kids finished with huge smiles and enjoyed the game.  Cameron scored his first goal of the season and celebrated in style.  Players of the match were Cameron and Declan.

Nerang U11 Div 3 (0)  Vs  Mudgeeraba (5)                                                    

Nerang battled hard against a very good team in Mudgeeraba.

Nathan and Scotty did very well, sharing the goal keeping duties, each saving a lot of shots taken by the Mudgees forwards. In a game spent mostly in our half Zac and Kiri played excellent games in the defence.

All the players tried very hard and never gave up, Man of the match went to Jarred Sharman, who never stopped running and tackled well all day.

Nerang U14 Div1 (3) Vs Palm Beach (1)

The 14 Div1 team has played two matches during the official trial period. The first match was a hard fought 3 - 1 victory over Palm Beach with Corey Mills, Tom Robertson & Kane Darker scoring our goals. Kane was rewarded for a busy performance with the Player of the Match award while Jordan McPherson was prominent throughout. Our second match was on Wednesday (07/04) and the boys dominated the match to win 8 - 1 with Matt Smith grabbing 5 goals while Corey Mills, Liam Calley & Tom Robertson each scored singles. Tom Robertson was awarded Player of the Match while this award could have gone to 4 or 5 players. Sam Stevens received an award for his consistency over the two matches.

The boys are finding more combination each match and it is very pleasing to see the way they are responding to each other and the coaching staff both during matches and at training. This is no easy feat considering there are seven new players in the squad.

Special thanks to Tony Chicco, who has joined the management team as assistant coach and is providing great assistance. 

PRE-SEASON TRIAL – Vs WOOMBYE S.C.

The Mighty Eagles travelled to the Sunshine Coast last weekend (6^th Feb) for a trial match against local Premier League side Woombye ‘Snakes’.

In only their second hit out for the year the firsts defeated their highly fancied opponents 2-0 on a hot and humid day. The whole side played well and put together some very good passages to play. Lindsay Corbel scored late in the first half after some good build up play involving Burcin Yorulmuz & Nick Jeffrey down the right whilst James Weyler made a good individual run from near the half way late in the game for our 2-0 result.

Woombye finished second in the Sunshine Coast Premier League and were beaten grand finalists last year and they took the game to us on a number of occasions. However, the Mighty Eagles showed great composure and played some very attractive football throughout.

Nerang: Steve Espinet (GK), Steven Green, Will Marwick, Drew Calabria, Nickolai Helwig, Nick Jeffrey, Stu McLaughlin, James Weyler, Danny Viccars, Burchin Yorulmaz, Lindsay Corbel. Subs: Damien Bitzios, Marc O’Brien.

The Reserves found the going a bit tough in the main curtain raiser and unfortunately contributed to their own demise with some elementary mistakes that gifted Woombye four of their goals in a 5-0 defeat. A few players had to double up and the oppressive heat did not help out cause – I’m sure most of the boys would have slept well on Saturday night.

The Youth Grade came from behind to record a 2-1 win with Michael Robertson scoring our first goal while a good individual run by Chris Randall late in the second half sealed our victory.

Our next game is against Merrimac in the Pre-Season Cup at home on Tuesday, 16^th February, kicking off at 7pm on the No1 ground. The Reserves/Youth will be playing in a trial against Merrimac Reserves on the No2 park at 6pm.