I’d like to start something new, hopefully something that will keep running.
Added to the bottom of this post are people we would like to thank for whatever reason it may be, all you have to do is add your comment.
These people may be volunteers, coaches, players, parents, carers, supporters etc……
So let’s start acknowledging the people at OUR CLUB that we appreciate!
It’s that time of year again, where we all try to win the title of trivia King/Queen!
It could be you having a laugh all you need to do is come to the Ballina Soccer Club THIS SATURDAY 14th JULY. It costs $5 per person or for a table of 6 intellects just $25, starts at 7.30pm, after Ballina play Goonellabah at 5pm on S1.
There will be loads of prizes to be won, lucky door prize and drinks available at the bar. You can also bring snacks to share with the people on your table if you wish.
Will be a great night and a fun way to raise money for our club, so hope to see everyone there.
Our major fund raising event is approaching fast and tickets need to be sold. The Frank Farina and sports memorabilia auction night is on Saturday August 11th, after Ballina plays Lennox on Saunders at 5pm. Tickets are available at Ballina RSL Bowling club or you can purchase them off Nicole Wagland. The cost is $85 and includes a buffet 3 course dinner and beer, wine and soft drink. Please support the club and buy your tickets soon.
Ballina has once again mixed it with the more fashionable teams, coming away from Lennox Head with a well deserved 1-1 draw. In a tight, almost scrapy game, Ballina matched Lennox on the tiny Skennars Head park, and almost did enough to come away with a win.
Clear cut chances were tough to come by, with both sides failing at the last line of defence. Cerys Hawkins came closest in the first half, striking the post after beating the keeper. Hawkins missed the rebound, as he was already half way through a much rehearsed goal celebration.
The arm wrestle resumed in the second half, with both sides stepping up the intensity and ferocity of the game. Fifteen minutes into the half, a cross saw a Lennox attacker free on the far post for a relatively simple header for the opening goal.
Ballina responded well, and good pressure released Maxy inside the box, and the vicious strike equalised for the blues.
Several late chances fell to both sides, but nothing more to trouble the scorers with.
Ballina’s performance against the only unbeaten team in the competition won some more admirers and may help to shake off the relegation fears. Although there is still a long way to go, Ballina now sits on 10 points, a milestone that was said to be unreachable. If Ballina continues this form and confidence, the finals may not yet be out of reach.
The Frank Farina Sportsmans Dinner is on Saturday August 11th at 7pm, tickets are now available to be purchased for $85. Any tickets purchased before Saturday June 30th will be placed into a draw.
The persons ticket that is drawn can either win their money back or receive a free ticket.
So let’s all support our club and buy our tickets early.
The draw will take place at half time of the premiers game against Workers, saturday 30th June.
Ballina took all three points from a valiant Maclean on Staurday Night, despite at one stage blowing a two goal lead.
Ballina started on fire, launching attacking raids one after the other. Maclean seemed to have no answer and Tyson Price soon opened the scoring. Not long after the goal of the season so far came when Josh Jackson hammered a shot from thirty five metres to dip and swerve past the Maclean keeper for a stunning two goal lead at half time.
Ballina’s grip on the game slackened in the second half, and Maclean came back. The Bobcats won a penalty to claw a goal back, and then a cross was tapped in on the far post for an equaliser. Ballina seemed to be gone, but managed a squaring penalty ten minutes before time. The penalty hit the woodwork to keep the scores level, and that looked like the final score.
But Cerys Hawkins kept pushing forward, and his efforts were rewarded with yet another penalty. This time player coach Dwayne Smith stepped up, and slotted the winner just before the final whistle.
Ballina has notched up two wins in a row, with an impressive performance over Bangalow last night. Right from the opening whistle Ballina controlled the game, maintaining good possession and nullifying the potent Bangalow attack.
Ballina opened the scoring midway through the first half, after Cerys Hawkins got to the by line and crossed the ball in. An unlucky Bangalow defender put the ball into his own net, beating the queued up Ballina forwards.
Bangalow rarely had a shot on goal, on most of the first half was played out in the Bangalow side of half way.
The second half saw the game continue as the first, with Ballina well in control. Bangalow resorted to the deep long ball into the penalty box, which the Ballina defence dealt with easily. After some more good attacking build up, a brilliant run from Tyson Price gave Daniel Bostock space on the edge of the penalty area. The ball was clinically dispatched into the corner of the net, doubling the Seahorses’ lead.
Bangalow needed something special, and unfortunately lost control. A bad challenge resulted in a red card for a midfielder, leaving them to fight the rest out a man down.
Ballina made the most of the man advantage, threatening to open the floodgates. A strategic substitution from super coach Dwayne Smith - putting himself on - led to the third goal. The premier division boss took a Ballina corner kick that bent sharply and sailed untouched into the far corner of the net, killing the remaining spirit of the Bluedogs, and sealing the victory for Ballina.
Due to poor ticket sales and support the Frank Farina Dinner has been postponed till SATURDAY AUGUST 11th 2007, all other information will remain the same.
Now everyone has plenty of time to save up and buy a ticket to support their club. You can purchase tickets for the new date in august at anytime through Nicole prior to the dinner.
THANK YOU to all the people who have purchased tickets and helped to organise tables, it is very much appreciated.
Nicole
Ballina has secured its first win of the season over Lismore Workers, although not without a little bit of drama along the way.
Ballina started well, and seemed to have the game well in hand. Good forward movement frustrated the Workers defence, and the strong Ballina midfield seemed to grow in confidence. The Ballina defence held strong, and Workers rarely looked like troubling the goal.
Ballina started to find their range, and soon opened the scoring through Cerys Hawkins. Not long after, Ballina increased their lead to two goals, and looked like romping home. No more goals were seen in the first half, but Ballina was always in control.
The second half started well for Ballina, but Workers seemed to find a little more cohesion, causing the defence a few minor problems. Space in the midfield was more dangerous in the second half as a stiff breeze brought the goal within range. Ballina still managed to find space forward, but the added confidence of the Workers team and the slightly panicked defence swayed the momentum towards the Red team.
At about the midpoint of the second half, it all seemed to fall apart for the Ballina side, and Workers pounced. some loose defence allowed a shot on goal which was not dealt with, giving an easy tap in for the Workers striker. Within minutes some more backiline confusion allowed Workers to equalise, shell shocker the Ballina players and supporters. A certain three points looked to now be a long shot at holding on for one.
That one point seemed even more shaky, as moments later a penalty was awarded to the Lismore side. Workers now had the chance to take an unlikely lead, and shatter all the hard work from the Ballina side. Fortunately, the penalty was poorly taken, and the ball was saved on the line.
In one more twist with less than five minutes remaining, a late attacking move won a penalty for the Ballina side. Mitch Knight stepped up to the spot, and very calmly and confidently lodged the ball in the back of the net. Ballina held on for the three points, and although not pretty, showed good patches of brilliant play.
Although it could of tragically turned into a loss, Ballina could of and probably should of scored more goals, and the goals conceded would most likely of been stopped on any other day. With a long way to go this year, grinding efforts such as this will see more success and more valuable points on the board.
The draws for the 2007 season are available through FFNC.
Just click on the link below to access each teams draw.
