Chris Turner’s Reserve Grade team has marched into the Grand Final with an
inspired second leg 4-0 win over minor Premiers South Cardiff at Macquarie
field. Some subtle adjustment to the team shape after the first leg 1-1
result saw the team execute their coaches instructions perfectly and force
pressure onto Cardiff defensive clearances . As a result the crisp Gunners
passing game was replaced with long clearances and this allowed Magic to
bring the ball back at their opponents with telling effect.

The first goal was a delightful finish by the born again striker Damien
Smith who reeled in a high bounce to canon the ball into the Cardiff net and set the tone for the game. If Magics midfield needed incentive they found  it in that early strike as captain Gilbert Afful  along with Ben Sweetman and Jack O'Toole were just unstoppable in the middle of the park. Out wide Mooney and Dowdell caused constant dramas for the Gunners and with the extra space Ben Martin soon found himself on the fringe of the 18 yard box with room to move and Ben finished a difficult chance to see the half time lead at 2-0.

Magic knew the Gunners were not finished with despite the handy lead but
quickly widened the gap scoring within two minutes after halftime when crisp passing saw Ben Martin turn on the edge of the 18 yard box and slice the Ball to the right of Cardiff’s despairing keeper. Defensively Magic were just amazing, as youngster Blane Northcott , imposing Mick Kekov and the tireless Evan Ellanbacher met absolutely everything Cardiff had in attack.

Mooney and Dowdell played deeper in the second half to cut out Gunners wide
attack as Gilla , Jack and Ben Sweetman man marked on the three central ball players for the Gunners When Cardiff did get the chance to shoot they still had Scott Carter to beat . Carter was simply unbeatable.

Magic just never took their foot off the Gunners throat after taking their
early lead and the sheer determination of the team was extra ordinary. As
the second half developed our positional play continued to thwart Cardiffs
attack and with 20 minutes to go Damien Smith celebrated our dominance by
chipping the Cardiff keeper to take the score to 4-0.

Magic reserves are in the Grand final and deserve to be there. They deserve
it because they have worked hard for eachother and for their coach Chris
Turner and the support staff who have been there with them every week.  It's Grand final time .

GO MAGIC.