HIGHLANDS soccer clubs battled it out against Sydney’s top teams in the Champion of Champions competition over the weekend.
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Hill Top Soccer Club hosted round one of the competition at Boronia Park on Sunday, September 18.
The statewide knockout competition was run by Football NSW.
The Highlands Soccer Association was represented by five teams in the under-13 boys, under-14 boys, under-15 boys, all age men and all age women competitions.
In the first round the Highlands teams played against the Bankstown association.
Highlands Soccer Association manager Michael Hamilton said he was pleased the Highlands was represented in the competition.
“There are clubs in the Canterbury association that have more than 2000 players. We’ve only got 1800 in our whole association so anytime that we are competitive, especially against the Sydney associations, it’s really pleasing,” he said.
Teams were selected to play in the competition based on where they finished on the ladder in the ordinary season. The minor-premiers of the season were nominated to play.
Highlands FC played against Bass Hill RSL FC in the under-13 boys competition. The game went to a penalty shootout after a draw at full time and the Highlands was defeated 5-4.
In the under-14 boys competition Highlands FC claimed a 1-0 victory over the Milperra Lions.
Yerrinbool-Bargo was defeated 2-0 by the Central Sydney Wolves in the under-15 boys competition.
The Highlands finished with another win after Yerrinbool defeated East Bankstown 3-0 in the all age women’s competition.
In the all age men’s competition Hill Top was defeated 5-0 by Bass Hill PSL FC.
Hill Top Soccer Club secretary Craig Napper said Hill Top played well despite the loss.
“Our local lads went toe to toe with the boys from the big smoke all afternoon,” he said.
Hamilton said he he was proud of the results the Highlands achieved in round one.
“We lost one match on penalties, we won two matches and lost two matches,” he said.
“So it really is a fantastic result. When you look at the population and the size of the Bankstown association, they would have clubs that are similar in size to our whole association.”
Round two of the Champion of Champions tournament will be held on Sunday, September 25.
We lost one match on penalties, we won two matches and lost two matches, so it really is a fantastic result.
- Highlands Soccer Association manager Michael Hamilton
Hill Top will play against East Bankstown in the under-18 mens competition.
The Highlands will also be represented by the mens under-21 Moss Vale team in the round three quarter finals.
“To have a team in the quarter finals is a great achievement. Hopefully a few of the other teams can get to that stage too,” Hamilton said.
