Sydney’s Earlwood Wanderers Under 15/2s Boys finished their season on a high with a solid display at the 2022 Grand Final on Sunday (28 August) at Blair Park against Canterbury Juniors.
The current team was established two years ago and is made up of many players who have been at the Club for 10 years and is coached by Alex Georgiadis, Arthur Mantzikopoulos and supported by Steve Xanthos, Johnny Alaveras and co-managed by Michael Seliametis and Theo Fotopoulos.
The group was impacted by COVID-19 last year which meant that the latter part of the season was not completed, but they made up for it this season finishing a credible third on the table and Grand Final runners up medallists.
“The team strives to create a collaborative and cooperative environment between players, coaches, parents, supporters and the club – the results in 2022 are a direct result of hard work, commitment and working together,” Theo Fotopoulos told Neos Kosmos.
The Under 15/2 CDSFA Grand Final was a very competitive match from the onset, and started in spectacular fashion with two goals in 2 minutes, with Earlwood’s John Tsolakis slotting the ball past the Canterbury goalkeeper after a mere 3 passes from kick off.
As it happened
Canterbury Juniors, who were the under 15/2 minor premiers recovered quickly with an equally quick goal ensuring a 1-1 score-line after two minutes.
Earlwood hit the right post after Peter Georgiadis had one of the best chances in the first half.
The game resembled a cup tie, with both teams trying to take the lead with a second goal but the half time score-line remained deadlocked at 1-1.
The second half of the match started at a frenetic pace with both teams trying to change the tie up at 1-1.
There were several moments that could have gone either way, including Earlwood’s Kian Mourkas’ run into the penalty box in the 45th minute where he was fouled in a goal bound position.
A defensive clearance mistake in the 50th minute by Earlwood resulted in a clearance shot that went into the penalty box and landed in the path of the Canterbury Juniors striker who was in close range and smashed the ball past the Earlwood goalkeeper to give them the lead.
After that moment, Earlwood were pushing to get back to 2-2. A brilliant free kick by Valantis Seliametis was pushed over the bar from a long-range free kick.
In the last quarter of the match, Canterbury Juniors secured the match in the 55th and 60th minute with two goals to finish victors 4-1 over Earlwood.
A great win
The effort by all the Earlwood Wanderers players throughout the season was heroic, with their form peaking during the finals run, with a win in two elimination finals to reach the Grand Final against the season leader, Canterbury Juniors.
“After a disrupted COVID-19 impacted Season 2021, it was a joyful moment being crowned Grand Final runners up medallists, as well as finishing third in the overall competition” said the Head Coach, Alex Georgiades.
“Some of the other highlights included the last game of regular season against Hurlstone Park Wanderers who were second in the competition and needed to win to seal the Minor Premiership but were defeated 1-0 in a tough match” said co-Manager, Michael Seliametis.
The Earlwood Under 15/2 squad have benefited from being two years together with some small additions, including new goalkeeper in season 2022, Hanna Saliba.
“Overall, it was the best season ever for the group, which includes five players that have started their football at Earlwood Wanderers over 10 years ago. The original team began in lower divisions and has evolved over the last three years, playing in Division 2,” said Assistant Head Coach, Arthur Mantzikopoulos.
CDSFA Season 2022 Summary
Finals Series
- Grand Final: Canterbury Juniors 4 v Earlwood Wanderers 1 – Grand Final Runners Up Medallists
- Semi-Final: Hurlstone Park 1 v Earlwood Wanderers 0 (Golden Goat ET, HPFC disqualified)
- Elimination Final: Enfield Rovers 1 v Earlwood Wanderers 3
Regular Competition Matches
Round 15 Hurlstone Park 0 v Earlwood Wanderers 1
Round 17 Earlwood Wanderers 2 v Leichhardt Saints 3
Round 14 Earlwood Wanderers 3 v Burwood 0
Round 16 Earlwood Wanderers 2 v Marrickville 0
Round 18 Balmain 1 v Earlwood Wanderers 5
Round 12 Earlwood Wanderers 4 v Enfield 0
Round 11 Abbotsford 1 v Earlwood Wanderers 1
Round 1 Canterbury Juniors 9 v Earlwood Wanderers 0
Round 10 Earlwood Wanderers 1 v Canterbury Juniors 3
Round 9 Earlwood Wanderers 2 v Balmain 1
Round 6 Earlwood Wanderers 0 v Hurlstone Park 3
Round 8 Leichhardt Saints 1 v Earlwood Wanderers 3
Round 2 Earlwood Wanderers 5 v Abbotsford 1
Round 5 Burwood FC 0 v Earlwood Wanderers 9
Round 3 Enfield Rovers FC 5 v Earlwood Wanderers 4
EWFC Under 15/2 Player Roster
Hanna Saliba (Goalkeeper), Saki Alaveras (Defender), Nick Roussakis (Defender), John Fotopoulos (Defender, 10 years at EWFC), James Maniatis (Defender, 10 years at EWFC), Dennis Xenefos (Midfielder), Michael Tsamtseres Defender/Midfielder), Samuel Tziomakis (Midfielder), Valantis Seliametis (Midfielder, 10 Years at EWFC), Dion Vellios Midfielder), Leo Gonzales (Midfielder), Jimmy Xenefos (Midfielder, 10 years at EWFC), Christopher Lygdas (Midfielder/Striker), Peter Georgiades (Midfielder/Striker, 10 years at EWFC), Kian Mourkas (Striker), John Tsolakis (Striker), Louis Xanthos (Striker).
The EWFC U15/2s will have a break and commence pre-season in late September for Season 2023. The team will have limited player roster spots available for next season – if you are a Div 1-2 player currently and are turning 16 next year and would like to Trial for the U16s (CDSFA Season 2023) please contact or text 0412 480 563.
