Azzurris crushed by Buffalo stampede

The Darwin City Buffalo's Soccer team was victorious with an outstanding win over Darwin Azzurri with a 4 - 1 win at the Italian Club.Darwin city took out The 2002 Premiership Cup as well as the 2002 Grand Final Cup. Visit the Darwin City website and read about their glorious win as well as view players pictures and bios. Uniforms and equipment used by Darwin city are supplied by Buffalo Sports and are proudly sponsored by John Farrell at TTF Sport.

TASL - GRAND FINAL
Darwin City Vs Darwin Azzuri


Sunday 22nd September 2002

Coming into this game Darwin City was being seen as the under dog despite winning the Premiership three weeks earlier. The last meeting between these two teams was a 6-2 annihilation by Azzuri in the first semi final so they should have been confident of another victory. Even the NT News (quality publication that it is) was writing off the Buffaloes the day before saying that the scars from that game may be exposed again to Azzuri's benefit.

What wasn't told in that story was the facts that City started that game without its best eleven and received a red card 15 minutes into the game. With this knowledge the Buffalos were still optimistic of turning that result around. Pre-match the signs were already there that Darwin City was going to take advantage of the day with everyone seeming relaxed and enjoying the atmosphere at the ground.

Azzuri on the other hand went straight behind closed doors and appeared nervous from the start. City, not intentionally, but as it happened, took a pre-match team photo with the Premiership Cup which had already been secured. This was also a reminder to Azzuri that the Buffalos had already done half the job. The game started well for City with a run into the forward line in the first 30 seconds that resulted in Azzuri's defence clearing a ball that was not being contested.

The start was relatively tight but City was playing well and the signs were there that it was going to be a tough match for Darwin Azzuri. After 15 minutes the game came to life with Darren Whitaker being fouled just on the attacking side of half way. Although pleading with the Ref for advantage a free kick was given.

Up stepped Jorge to spot Anthony Castro clear inside the box with a curling header that was always going to beat the keeper. It came down under the bar and City was on its way 1-0. The next 20 minutes was the best passage of the game with Azzuri desperate to even the scores. They were throwing every thing at the City defence but not making any inroads. A good run at the right hand post produced a desperate lunging save from Bobby Wright. Gabby then cleared the resulting corner off the near post and that clearance fell to Azzuri's left back Ricky Lay who then unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt that amazingly was stopped. Tapped over the bar by Nick Camierio for another corner, which was easily cleared next time around.

Mick Williams was shown the first yellow card of the game with a relatively tame bump on an Azzuri defender, but it was there all the same. Supporters in the stand were taking a book on the first card and the lucky punter that had 19-20 minutes won that one. With about ten minutes to go till half time City was again given a free kick, this time a little closer to the penalty box.

Bobby Wright (who was having a ripper in defence) came forward to take this one and found Locky unmarked in the square and again it was a header into the top right of the net 2-0 to city. That was the score at half time and it could have been more if Darren's leg was working properly, shanking the first three corners for City, after being so reliable all year. The second half started with a good chance for Azzuri with Alan Tomassi running the ball into the box early on only to be saved by the Buffaloes keeper again. Not long into the second half the play of the day occurred with Jamie giving the ball to Mick Williams who did a Maradona style flick over then ran onto it bustling with three defenders to toe poke past the keeper to put the crowd on their feet and the cup in the hands of the Darwin City players.

There was still almost 40 minutes to go but with the score 3-0 and Darwin City players seemingly having wings the game was pretty much over. Jose Rodriguez came on after spending the whole first half on the bench and with his first touch of the ball, and seeming to have all the time in the world, put it onto Locky's forehead who then put it in the back of the net for his second and City's fourth. With the crowd chanting "four nil" and the Azzuri players fighting amongst themselves the game was over. They managed a consolation goal, which came from a deflection to beat the offside trap.

Robbie D. Azzuri's hardest working player on the day got some reward with a tap in from this. With the final whistle the score was 4-1 and Darwin city had won the double for the first time (Azzuri having also done it in 2001) and the top-four cup for the second time in three years (also winning against Azzuri in 2000).

Special mention to St Mary's for their win in the consolation cup in their first year of the competition. Beating Nakara 3-0

Goal scorers: Anthony Castro 15 min, Locky Conway 35 min, Mick Williams 55 min, and Locky again in 70 min, and for Azzuri Robbie D. 80 min.(all times are approximate).

Best Players: The whole team played to their potential but special mention to Castro for getting us going, Bobby, Scrubber, Gabby, Nick and Jorge for their defence. Darren and Andre for their hard work in the middle, and Locky for his finishing. Mick Williams with his cameo, Jamie and Joe on the wing, Paul and Jose off the bench. Also congratulations to Parffit and Jock for two in two days (Rugby league winners as well). Great Team effort.

Also Thanks to Mick Camierio who sacrificed a place on the field to coach us, John Farrell, the President, who sponsored us and took all the financial worry out of it for the team. S&J Earthmoving, and all the family and supporters who turned up every week. And Jeremy Conway for a brilliant job on the camera so we can all enjoy this day for years to come.

Darwin City Soccer Club

The History of the club