1^st Grade

A cold windy, mid-week, night game on a greasy pitch is not the ideal

setting for a football game, but what it can do is even the stakes

between the two sides playing. Magic travelled to Lake Macquarie to take

on the competition leaders who had just come off a 6-1 thrashing of

Pheonix the weekend before. Magic had beaten Toronto for only their

third win of the season. So the scene was set for a gripping encounter.

Magic have been playing well and have a confident air about themselves

at the moment. They are showing good team spirit and providing each

other plenty of support both on and off the park. We picked up a few

injuries from the Toronto encounter, the most notable being the

horrendous tackle on Peter Haynes who is still unsure how much damage

has been done to his ankle. Young Ben Higgins also picked up an ankle

injury and captain Bennis a black and cut eye. The change shed resembled

a hospital ward before the match with lots of bandaging and strapping

going on. Magic were quick to stamp their authority on the game and the

tussle in the midfield was hard fought with Magic having the better of

the fight. Our first real chance fell to John Bennis who got onto a

great cross from Chris Brown and hit a sweet volley but was unlucky to

see it come off the keepers shoulder and onto the post. The warning

sounded and Lakes fought hard to get into the game. We had more chances

but it was Lakes who hit the post at the other end and missed a 1v1 with

Scotty Carter who pulled off a great save. Glenn Cooper saw his well

placed shot just tipped around by the Lakes keeper who was in

sensational form. We went to the break nil all.

We took the field after halftime and continued to work hard. Our only

real concern was an injury to Gareth Jenkins, who was having a quality

game. He was replaced after 5 or so minutes into the half and a young

15year old Ben Kantarovski took to the field. Lakes finally sprung our

offside trap and Babic made no mistake with his placement of the ball

into the Magic net.

Once again we had to fight from behind and the boys rallied. A goalmouth

scramble saw Ibi Khodary slot the ball home and we leveled the scores.

Thank you to Ian Milne for his 1^st grade report

Reserve grade

Magic played Lake Macquarie mid week in a catch up game at Lake Macquarie and the
boys must surely wonder which team member has run over a black cat because
the team just does not seem to get a fair share of the luck at the moment.
Conditions were very difficult with a freezing wind reefing across the
ground which was still slippery under foot.
After some early pressure Magic hit the lead with a Ben Martin goal but Lake  
Macquarie equalised soon after following a poor defensive error. Lakes
then hit the lead  when a wide ball found an unmarked attacker (apparently
on side) who was given a clear passage to goal before playing a short cross
to beat Magics last defender. Again our finishing let us down with a number
of chances flying wide or high.
Mick Kekov was introduced before half time and immediately the defense looked
more secure. Alex Madikian in goals pulled out an exceptional save when a
deflection rifled at him unexpectedly from a clearing kick. His work on the
night was very tidy especially in the conditions.
The second half was a real test of character for the boys. They resumed down
a goal and running into the teeth of a gale but were able to secure the
equaliser when O'Toole played a ball which was seemingly  destined for the
suburb of Boolaroo but dropped into the back of the net. Magic again stuck to
the style of play they have used all season playing the ball to feet.
The balance of the  half featured attack after attack by Magic but despite
some good chances we could not finish off with a goal . Typical of such a
game Lakes also had late chances to win but again it was Madikian in
goal and some solid defense which kept the final score at 2-2.
Special credit must go to the under 19 players who sat on the bench on a
very bleak night. Thanks boys it really was appreciated.