Archive for March, 2011

On a perfect day for football at Pembroke Old Scholars Ground the Top Corner Sports CSL Carnival was a blaze of colour as new sides North City, Mt Barker and Uni SA competed for the first time having recently entered the CSL fold.
Along with most of the teams from the previous years a total of 20 clubs with 20 teams competed for the Top Corner Sports CSL Carnival trophy of which Pembroke were the current holders from 2010.

In a tough Group 1, Pembroke the defending champions went out on goal difference to Windsor Gardens after both accrued 2 wins and a draw each – the draw being to each other 1 – 1. Add Norwood and ASSE Simba to the group and Group 1 was probably the group of death. 

Group 2 consisting of Pulteney, Rostrevor, Unley and Westminster was close with all teams very competitive but Westminster won the group yet qualified as the 4^th highest group winner and consequently had to compete in a play-off game against the 5^th highest group winner in order to qualify to the Semi Finals.

Scotch College went on to take out Group 3 and qualify for the first semi final against Windsor Gardens after fending off challenges from AUSC Black 1, North City and Sacred Heart.

Regency Eagles with a emphatic 4 – 1 win in their final Group 4 match won the group on goal difference from Immanuel yet as the 5^th highest group winner had to first compete in the play-off game.

Mercedes although drawing with Mt Barker 1-1 still managed to qualify straight through to the semi finals after also defeating CBC and PAOC who also were very competitive and made up another tough batch of clubs in a strong Group 5.

The play off game between the lowest point scoring group winners between Westminster and Regency was a tight hard fought game with both teams vying to play Mercedes in the 2^nd  Semi Final.

Regency managed to go through with a 1-0 win scoring late in the match.

Meanwhile Scotch took on Windsor Gardens and in another tight affair in the 1^st Semi Final, Windsor Gardens prevailed 1-0 from a penalty. With Windsor Gardens getting a little luck from the draw and getting a rest between games they were already in the Final and able to watch their potential opponents play in the next game.

A chance to see last year’s Collegiate Cup Finalists rematch between Mercedes and Windsor Gardens was not to be as Regency Eagles would play a tight end to end encounter and draw 1-1 with Mercedes.

Regency managed to hang on after having a player sent off for a lunging, desperate tackle that was slightly mistimed. Mercedes failed to take advantage of the ensuing penalty awarded and a man advantage thereafter

In fact, Regency’s keeper’s penalty save meant the game was a draw and went to sudden death penalties.

Mercedes missed the first penalty whilst Regency scored meaning Regency qualified for the Final in only their second season.

However Regency Eagles had played their last group game and 2 finals almost consecutively which made it very hard against an experienced and skilful Windsor Gardens side who have proved last season they are one of the best sides in the entire CSL.

In a good game played in even better spirits the Top Corner Sports CSL Carnival Final was still very competitive with both Regency Eagles and Windsor Gardens taking their chances and playing some good attacking football.

However, Windsor Gardens relentless forays forward resulted in a 3-0 victory.

Congratulations to Windsor Gardens who had a great win in the Final.

The CSL would like to thank all the clubs and players for competing and for helping to make it a great day.

Thank you must also go to all the referees whom had very long days but did a great job and to Pembroke Old Scholars thank you for hosting the event and contributing to making the event even better than last season.

Finally thanks must go to Top Corner Sports for sponsoring the event and along with the CSL Executive volunteers we all made the day a great success.

Full results of all matches can be found on the CSL website here.