From the coach,

Last Tuesday I took over as the senior coach of Peninsula Strikers after David Reid’s departure, I wish to express my thanks’ David for all he done while senior coach and thank him personally for the help he gave me.

Last Saturday we played Seaford United and the Reserves lost 5 – 1 and the Seniors lost 4 -1, and as you can see we have a lot of work ahead of us if we have any chance of staying in this division.

Between the seniors and the reserves we had eleven players unavailable for different reasons, fortunately we were able to call on Matthew Sergenor from the FFV league 5 player, we also called on Nick Puszka and Anthony Donaldson from the under 18’s, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for helping out and hope they can continue to help us going forward. I would also like to thank Dave McKinney and Chris Simmons for all the help they have given.

As you are all probable aware by now the Reserves lost 1 – 0 against Mooroolbark and the seniors won 4 – 1.

The reserves played from the 30 minute mark to half time with ten players after our goalkeeper Neil Herd got injured and Matthew Hames took his place in goal. In the second half the reserves played with nine players after Yohanes Negassi had to come off as he was starting for the seniors. We were 1 – 0 down after 12 minutes and to end the game with the score still 1 – 0 was a great achievement by theses wonderful young players; they were accredit to themselves and the club.

The seniors played exceptionally well and deserved this result, out of the fourteen players who took part in this game nine are twenty years or under and of those nine, six are under eighteen years of age. We have two very young teams here at Peninsula Strikers and although we won at the week-end we have a lot of hard work to do between now and the end of the season to make sure we stay in this league and get our self’s ready for a big season next year.

For those not at Saturdays game I can assure you that every player gave one hundred percent and that is all we can ask. As a coach I can accept players having a bad game or on off day, what I will not tolerate is any player at Peninsula Strikers who thinks he can give less than one hundred percent. Any player and or players who do not wish give one hundred percent will no longer be required at Peninsula Strikers, if we are to get out of this trouble we are in it will be through sheer hard work by each and every player.
I am writing this to ask all of our supporters old and new to get behind the team, if you can all see your way to come down and watch the remaining home game and away games if possible, support this young team it would be very much appreciated. I cannot guarantee that we will keep on winning but what I can guarantee is that each and every player who takes the field for Peninsula Strikers whether it be seniors or reserves will give one hundred percent no more and certainly no less.

And if you do come down please support these young players and if there is any criticism to be given please direct it to me, not to the players, and or the coaching staff, those being Jimmy Smart, Paul Williams and Ray Vaughan. I am the senior coach and any criticism will start and finish with me.

I hope to see all or some of the old Frankston City, Karingal and Peninsula Strikers supporters and ex players at the remaining home games.

Regards Bill Rae (Senior Coach) 07/07/14