McKinnon Secondary College
It was a cool sunny morning when our bus arrived in Aspendale Gardens and saw the pristine pitches. As a local resident I had briefed the boys that there would be no excuses if we couldn’t play football. McKinnon didn’t disappoint in that regard but more importantly showed a resilience in the face of adversity that as someone who has coached many of this group before, I have not always seen. I have never doubted their football ability, but I have stressed that ability does not win games of football, but mental strength and ability does. This was apparent on Thursday 16 May when McKinnon won three games and drew the last to become Kingston Champions.
Our first game was against Westall. Alex Varelas, (Year 12) was superb scoring a quick fire hattrick with both feet before being subbed before half time. Oliver Iser-Lau (Year 11) scored one as did Isaac Albanis (Year 11) but it was a team effort in a thumping 8-2 victory.
Our next game was against Beaumaris where truth be told McKinnon squandered many chances but still won 2-0. It was a frustrating performance at times, but a few players stood out. Gordon Choi (Year 11) did well as did Peter Kats (Year 11) keeping a clean sheet in goal.
Parkdale were up next which came with a 2-1 victory after initially going behind. Alex Varelas with a quick riposte after we had conceded with a cracking goal. The game went up in intensity and our defence, led by Captain Ben Mason (Year 12) was superb. Igor Pasichnyuk (Year 11) and Caolan McLaughlin (Year 12) were able deputies for Ben in defence. Markis Angelatos (Year 12) was superb in midfield as we got a win in a hard-fought contest. Alex Varelas scoring the winner from a penalty. Will O’Brien (Year 12) did well in an unfamiliar centre forward position where his speed and strength troubled their defence. Cristian Karavendzas (Year 11) did well covering the ground in midfield with Daniel Bronshtein-Kopman (Year 11) did well out wide as well. Oliver Iser-Lau worked hard in this game as he did in all his other games.
This result meant we headed into our last game against Brighton, our nemesis from last year needing only a point. Brighton are a superb side and posed a considerable threat. However so did McKinnon and from superb wing play from Luke Sagiadelis (Year 12) it was Isaac Albanis who scored a spectacular volley to give McKinnon the lead and the initiative in this tight tussle.
Luke Sagiadelis playing in a more defensive position at right back was superb in this game as were the usual suspects of Ben Mason, Igor Pasichnyuk and Caolan McLaughlin. The momentum swung back Brighton’s way just before half time when they scored a thumping header from a corner to make it 1-1 just before half time. McKinnon were clearly on the back foot and despite the efforts of our defence, I thought it was only a matter of time. We conceded a penalty and up stepped the Brighton forward. I have not mentioned the efforts of Gerry Angelatos (Year 12) in goals who was a bundle of nonstop focus in his three games in goal. I crossed my fingers and watched on as Gerry made a double save, saving the penalty and the follow up.
He made many saves late in this game as we hung on for the critical point which gave us the Kingston Championship. He was brilliant all day.
The team celebrated but it would be remiss not to mention the crucial calmness and sounding board that an injured Campbell Henderson (Year 12) provided for me on the day, allowing me to bounce ideas on the day off him as assistant coach.
The team now progress to SMR on Wednesday 24 July where we hope we can continue with our efforts and hopefully proceed onto State. It will be a big ask as we struggled in that last game but as I said to the boys post-game they demonstrated to me and themselves that they have a winning attitude and a team first attitude. Now the hard work really begins as I hope to train this team more regularly to give us the best chance of success.
Congratulations to all the boys who made the Kingston team:
Top row: (L to R) Caolan McLaughlin, Luke Sagiadelis, Alex Varelas, Markis Angelatos, Dan Ferder, Ben Mason (c), Will O’Brien, Gerry Angelatos and Campbell Henderson (Assistant Coach)
Bottom Row: (L to R) Isaac Albanis, Gordon Choi, Daniel Bronshtein-Kopman, Caelan Appleford, Cristian Karavendzas, Igor Pasichnyuk, Peter Kats, Oliver Iser-Lau, Izak Solomon and Nathan Yahalom.
Jonathan Jhoomun
Proud Coach