ACE in the final 8 of the Canale Cup - Photos Below
What started with 40 teams from Division 2, Division 1 and Premier League in Brisbane is now down to the best 8, and after a fantastic win last night, our boys secured one of the top 8 positions.
It was the new lights and the new grandstand that brought us down to Brendale last night as opposed to Wolter Park for a Cup Match against our friends at Peninsula Power. With Ace leading 2 to 1 at half time, the large crowd could not believe the possibility of beating Peninsular and progressing through to the next round. With key players like Kevvi, Glen Andrews and Macca being rested for Saturday’s game and Justin and Danny out injured, our young lads took the opportunity to shine and entertain us with two youth player’s having a run. Being the great side that they are, Power came straight back hard in the second half and in a matter of 5 minutes equalised the scores and quietened the crowd. A third goal from Power seemed to seal the game, however, a combination of the drums, the Vuvuzela (African trumpets), pom poms and the occasional Mexican wave, spurred on the ACE lads with Macca coming off the bench and scoring a fantastic equalising goal. Extra time did not see any more goals and the penalty shootout bought out a World Cup atmosphere amongst the crowd. Our boys hit the back of the net and Gerard saved the crucial one to see us through to the next round.
A Word from Alex
"Dare to dream" is what we asked from the team and with an injection of youth Joseph Milanese and Jarrod Hinvest, Chris Allgood keen to break into the senior side we made a balanced team, motivated to trade their wares with a top flight Premier League Team, Peninsula Power. The game was defined by three "half's", we scored early through Chris Allgood early in the first half stunning Peninsula Power and quickly following up with a second goal by Jason Poggi. Setting our selves up well for the second half.
But you can not afford to play Division 2 football against the boys from the Bay, by the time the referee blown his whistle to start the second halve we where down 3:2. To credit the boys, they never gave up and after taking a gamble to bring Ian McKenzie onto the park, through Ian we score a very cheeky equalizer pushing the game into the third half. The extended game time was a see sawing event with goal possibilities for both sides. With Gerard Bowtell-Harris in the goal we were looking towards the penalty shoot-out. There was an extra incentive for Gerard to do well against his old club.
With Gerard saving the second penalty shot and Peninsula Power missing their last shot, we seal a very memorable qualifying game placing us in the final eight teams.Congratulations to all on the TEAM, Peninsula Power, Club officials, ACE Supporters, Claude, Salvatore and Frank for a memorable game.
A Word from Claude
Well done lads, you have shown what you can do and the fans loved it. As I sat watching the game I was surrounded by a group of Under 12 and Under 13 boys that were going through naming every one of you guys on the pitch the way kids name players they respect. This is the spirit we are trying to develop at ACE and your performance and win tonight goes a long way to helping the cause. I enjoyed watching a good game of football played in great competitive spirit, no yellow cards and good sportsmanship. Full credit for Power for their sportsmanship both on and off the field. I invite all of our members and player’s to Wolter Park on Saturday to watch the boys do battle with Top of the table South Side Eagles. See you all there.