The Cove 5-a-side Kicked off with great success on Sunday the 27th of September at Lambert Park, Leichhardt.
We had 30 teams competing in 2 competitions: Just for fun and Serious. Lokomotiv Cove took out the Just for fun competition defeating Homebush boys while Ryde FC with a few ex Sydney FC youth players defeated the Terry Mcflynn lead team Sydney FC in the Serious competition.
We spoke to Paul Reid Ex Sydney FC player and current Sydney FC Community Football Manager about what he was expecting from the day.
“To be honest, I was expecting about 6 teams to be participating. There were 30 teams on the day, with many teams on standby and this shows how popular it has become over the years and credit goes to the Cove for organising such a great event. Like Sydney FC, it is good to see that the Cove engage the community on all levels and it would have capped off a brilliant day if one of the Sydney FC teams managed to win their tournament.”
The first edition of The Cove 5-a-side competition overall had:
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66 Games
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234 Players
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291 Goals
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990 Mins of Football
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4.41 Goals per game
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A goal every 3min 24 Secs
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1.43 Goals Per outfield Player
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1 Card – Paul Reid – A red for deliberate handball
We spoke to some players who participated during the day.
David Sydney FC’s Media General Manager spoke about the day and being knocked out from a very tight penalty shootout.
“Each member of our Sydney FC team had a fantastic afternoon and great credit must go to The Cove for organising the day… To go out on penalties in the semi-final was tough but we were undefeated in the tournament and only conceded one goal in our five games, scoring ten, so we have to be happy with that”Terry Mcflynn took the field with Paul Reid and other Sydney Staff including chairman Scott Barlow
“We would like to thank everyone involved in the organising of the event. It was a great day and enjoyed by everyone of all ages and ability. To lose in the Final is obviously very disappointing, but we must congratulate Ryde FC on their Victory. They were by far the best team in the competition. They only conceded 2 goals in the whole tournament which was in the final, so they were very deserved winners. However we look forward to next year’s competition and challenging Ryde FC for the title as Champions.”
Captain of Ryde FC Rob G spoke about the event and the final.
“It was such great day to get out a play a game we love so much and spend it with an awesome bunch of passionate Sydney FC fans!
It really felt like being a part of a family group which made the event even more special because at the end of the day we are all on the same side.
I would like to thank Southy and The Cove lads for organising hopefully an ongoing yearly comp that can be a part of a long and growing Sky Blue tradition.”
“It was also such a privilege and honour to play football on the same pitch and against in the final with our legend Terry McFlynn, still buzzing from it all and a bonus to win.”We would like to thank all the people who came out to watch and play.
The Cove would like to give a big thanks to all of the teams and players who participated in the first edition of The Cove’s 5-a-side completion. And a massive thank you to all the volunteers who gave up their time to make the event such a success.
We’d also like to thank 365 Soccer Sixes, APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC and Lokomotiv Cove FC for the support.
We’ve had a lot of positive response from 365 Soccer Sixes and APIA and hope it make it a yearly occasion.