By Christian Laylard
The Football Far North Coast Summer Youth League (SYL) kicked-off on Friday with a draw between defending champions, Byron Bay, who travelled to Alstonville.
The match was a fitting contest between the two teams considered to be competition favourites. It was fast, ferocious and with chances few and far between.
Playing on the small Geoff Watt Oval, both teams were able to press the ball and limit the space for the opposition.
Alstonville had the first chance of the match, but 16-year-old goalkeeper Marcus Gibbs made an impressive save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar.
The second-half started tightly but as the game opened up, Byron began to take the ascendency.
Unfortunately, the Rams were not able to take advantage of their late dominance with Tai Rai Naughton and Alex Kempnich shooting wide on Byron’s two opportunities.
The scoreless draw was a fair result for both teams and the clean sheet was well deserved for the Byron defence.
The season continues as Byron Bay travel to John Ryan Field to take on Lismore Thistles this Friday 18 October. Kick-off is 8pm.
Byron Bay have won the SYL competition five times – including the past two seasons running. The competition runs until December.
