What an end to the 2024 season for the Deniliquin and District Soccer Club.
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We had some huge finals on Saturday, with an epic finish in A-reserve.
The committee would like to thank everyone that helped out this year - coaches, referees, team managers, parents and of course the players.
We couldn’t have made this season such a success without everyone. Hope to see you all this year.
A-grade:
Third placed Mariners played against the A-reserve All Stars, who had some additional assistance from spectators.
Mariners got off to a good start, getting away to a 3-nil lead despite a clear goal scoring opportunity missed by the referee Matt Crothers.
The All Stars managed to get one back through a blinding run by Diego Sztejman.
All players enjoyed the game, and it was a relaxed end to the season.
Heart and Victory played out a 2-nil match in the A-grade grand final.
The game was evenly balanced until Enzo Sztejman found the back of the net with a solo effort.
He then scored again in the second half sealing the win for a well deserved gold medal for Heart.
Referees Award for most consistent player for the season – Elka Connolly.
A-Reserve:
In what could be described as the best grand final that DDSC has produced for several years, Mariners and Victory played out a thrilling match with a large crowd cheering them on.
The atmosphere was thrilling with such a large crowd and the players took it onboard to lift their game.
Victory looked to be on top taking a 3-nil lead into half-time even though the game was evenly balanced, Mariners just couldn’t find the back of the net.
A goal from Chaise Hewat lifted the spirits of Mariners and spurred on Finn Bult to score from outside the box with 10 minutes to go.
An equaliser saw the game go into overtime.
Rocky Sztejman and Mitchell Thompson combined to attack the Mariners goal multiple times, only to be thwarted by Mariners defence and goal keeping.
At the end of extra time, the scores were still locked, pushing the game into Golden Goal overtime.
Both teams had multiple opportunities to clinch the win but were again stopped by brilliant defence on both sides.
The Golden Goal period finished without score and the match had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Mariners started well with two goals and took the lead 2-1 at the second shot.
Monique Crothers had the opportunity to close out the match at the fourth kick and usually a strong penalty taker, the pressure got to her, and she sent the kick over the top.
This allowed Victory to continue, alas they could not score again and Mariners won the final 2-1 in penalties.
The team and crowd were elated with a massive pitch invasion.
What a thrilling and deserved end for these two top teams for the season. Congratulations to both teams for giving us an action packed entertaining final.
Mariners 3 def Victory 3 on penalties, 2-1. Best – Chaise Hewat, Rocky Szjetman. Sportsman – Monique Crothers, Mitchell Thompson.
United 3 def Hearts 1. Best – Daniel Burn, Jordyn Brain. Sportsman – Will Turner, Angus Herring.
B-grade:
The B-grade grand final was another match that was tied being four all at full time, and had to go into overtime.
It was a very entertaining match with a highlight being Aadi Patel scoring from halfway.
B-grade went to Golden Goal, and it was literally the last seconds of the overtime period that Hearts managed to score, winning the final and avoiding a penalty shootout.
The referee stating that there were only five seconds left on the clock until he was going to send the game to a penalty shootout.
Congratulations to Hearts and to United as well for putting on another entertaining grand final.
Heart 5 def United 4. Best – Spencer Hayes, Chris Plant. Sportsman – Lotus Gallpen-Brown.
Victory 4 drew Roar 4. All players in both teams were awarded due to their great performance for the season.
C-grade:
The grand final in C-grade was a one sided affair in favour of Hearts over Mariners.
Mariners did well to fight it out to the end, but the ladder leaders were just too good for the season and in the grand final.
Heart 7 def Mariners 1. Best – Kayne Button, Naomi Hornung. Sportsman – Levi Robson, Maxi Hussey.
Victory 2 def Glory 1. Best – Ollie Robson, Mason Howard. Sportsman – Cooper de Travers, Millie Hall.
United 2 drew Roar 2. Best – George Pisasale. Sportsman – Deniz Ozmen.
D-grade:
Congratulation to Roar for narrowly defeating Mariners 2-1 to take the gold medal this year.
Roar 2 def Mariners 1. Best – Harvey Pyle, Evie Robson. Sportsman – Campbell Shields, Bodhi Hand.
Heart 0 drew Victory 0. Best – Maxi Robson, Archie Rourke. Sportsman – Rylee Dunn, Sam Marett.
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