Grade 10 Figtree 1  Bondi United 6

It was one way traffic in the Grade 10 Boys Champion of Champions as Eastern Suburbs based side Bondi United smashed Illawarra Association's Figtree 6-1 in what was a fantastic game by the rising Bondi United boys.

Bondi scored three goals in the first half before scoring another three in the second which gifted them the Grade 10 Boys Champion of Champions title.

Grade 11 Balgownie 4 v Wakehurst 1
Illawarra Association's Balgownie were crowned Grade 11 Champion of Champions for Boys after defeating Manly Warringah's Wakehurst 4-1.

The boys from Balgownie proved too strong for their counterparts as they cruised to victory in what were telling wet weather conditions at Valentine Sports Park.

Grade 12 Fairfield Colts 1 v Glossodia 1 (6-5 on penalty shoot-out)
Southern Districts' Fairfield Colts took out the Grade 12 Boys Champion of Champions title after defeating Nepean Association's Glossodia 6-5 on penalties after the match ended one-a-piece after normal and extra time.

Glossodia took the lead in the first half but the Colts stormed back and grabbed an equalizer which sent the match into extra-time and came out with the goods taking the game in penalties.

Grade 13 Oak Flats 2 v Gladesville Ravens 1 (after extra time)

Illawarra Association's Oak Flats were crowned Grade 13 Boys Champion of Champions after defeating Gladesville Hornsby's Gladesville Ravens 2-1 after extra time.

With the scores locked at 1-1, it was the boys from the South Coast who proved too strong in the end getting that elusive goal in giving them the Grade 13 Boys Champion of Champions title for 2009.

Grade 14 Lidcombe Waratahs 0 v Wakehurst 3
Manly Warringah's Wakehurst took out the Grade 14 Boys Champion of Champions title after humbling Granville Association's Lidcombe Waratahs 3-0 on a rain soaked Valentine Sports Park.
After a scoreless draw in the first half, all the excitement commenced in the second as Wakehurst put on the accelerator in scoring three times to lift the coveted Grade 14 Boys title.

Grade 15 Balgownie 4 v Earlwood 3

In what was a pulsating game Illawarra Association's Balgownie took out the Grade 15 Champion of Champions for Boys in a seven goal thriller winning 4-3.

With the weather clearing after a rain soaked start to the day, the goals came shining through from both clubs but it was to be the Illawarra side's day as they ran out 4-3 victors in the end.

Grade 16 Leichhardt Tigers 2 v AC United 2 (3-2 on penalty shoot-out)
Canterbury Association's Leichhardt Tigers proved victors in what was a thrilling Grade 16 Champion of Champions match against Southern Districts' AC United after winning 3-2 on penalty shoot-outs.

Jess Casey and Ronald Pardo scored for AC United while for the Tigers Scott Guthrie and a second half stoppage time equalizer by Anthony Foti sent the game into extra-time.

With the scores still locked at 2-2, the game went to the dreaded penalty shoot-outs which the Tigers took out 3-2 to lift the Grade 16 Champion of Champions title.

Grade 17 Wollongong Olympic 0 v Inter Lions 5
Inter Lions put in a classy performance as they destroyed Illawarra Association's Wollongong Olympic 5-0 in what was a one sided game won by the Canterbury Association outfit.

Goals from Gordon Lyubicic, Adam Camilleri, Corey Cooper and a tremendous double strike by Alessandro Mazzeo asserted Inter's authority as the Grade 17 Champion of Champions for Boys for 2009.

Grade 18 Orana Spurs 1 v Kenthurst 2

Gladesville Hornsby Association's Kenthurst defeated Dubbo's Orana Spurs 2-1 to lift the Grade 18 Champion of Champions for Boys.

It was a heroic effort by both sides but Kenthurst proved too strong in the end as they ran out winners which ultimately claimed them the number one prize.

Grade 21 Kemps Creek United 2 v Quakers Hill Juniors 1
Southern District's Kemps Creek United took out the Grade 21 Champion of Champions title after a 2-1 victory over Blacktown's Quakers Hill Juniors.

Kemps Creek United's Mohamed Bangao opened the scoring in the first half before Bashar Paulis calmly slotted his second half penalty to give Kemps Creek United the Grade 21 title for 2009.

Over 35's All Saints Hunters Hill 0 v Collaroy Strikers 0 (4-2 on penalty shoot-out)
All Saints Hunters Hill passed the nerves of steel test as they defeated the Collaroy Strikers 4-2 on penalty shoot-outs after the game ended scoreless after normal and extra time.

In a game with a number of opportunities for both sides, the wet weather played havoc in getting that elusive goal in determining the match.

The Strikers led by Manly United coach Phil Moss, however missed two vital spot-kicks as All Saints Hunters Hill celebrated a monumental victory in being crowned Over 35 Champion of Champions winners.

Over 45's St George 0 v Gladesville Hornsby 1
A stunning thunderbolt strike by Geoff Illingworth early in the first half was to be the only goal of the match as Gladesville Hornsby were crowned Over 45's Champion of Champions in a tough win over St George.

In what was a well spirited match between both clubs, that special piece of brilliance by Illingworth was what separated the two and ultimately crowned them the Over 45 Champions for 2009.

-Reporting by Mark Stavroulakis

All Age Men - Yagoona Lions 1 v Brookvale 0 (after extra-time)

Yagoona Break Brookvale Hearts in Extra Time

With their backs against the wall and surviving with only 10 men for most of the match, Yagoona Lions made Brookvale pay for their early misses, snatching a late goal in extra time to be crowned 2009 All Age Men's Champion of Champions in the final match ever played on Valentine Sports Park on Sunday.

Brookvale were heartbroken after Tommy Markovski blasted his spectacular volley past Brookvale's Adam Demasi in the third minute of extra time to seal the victory on golden goal rules.

The goal was worthy of a championship trophy as Markovski timed his run perfectly to meet an accurate cross from Zlatko Trajcevski just when it seemed Brookvale had the game wrapped up.

Coming into the match as the two most exciting and dominant sides in the competition, both teams were renowned for their scoring proficiency.

However, Sunday proved a test of attrition as the scores stayed locked 0-0 at full time.

Brookvale dominated most of the match, coming close on many occasion in the first half to break the deadlock.

Luke Femia showed why he deserved to start, causing some early problems on the right side and a dangerous free kick which was tipped over the bar early on.

And from then the Brookvale pressure continued.

Ten minutes in, Nick Malham came close as he saw his near post header glance inches from the back post top corner.

Yagoona held back and it was clear from the outset that their game plan was always going to be counter attacking football.

Brookvale still managed to find holes however, and on the 30th minute the chance of the match fell to Nathan Lindsey who slotted a high shot only which hit the post and fell neatly back for the awaiting Yagoona goalkeeper.

Both teams were certainly not taking the game lightly as late challenges became the norm as the match headed towards the break.

Yagoona did manage a slight half chance minutes before half time. Goal scorer Tommy Markovski made a good run on the right before firing a powerful shot which was well dealt with the solid Brookvale defence led by the experienced Pascal Julliard.

After the break, both teams dropped a gear as the second half saw few chances and too many free kicks.

 Mathew Harrison was given his marching orders in the 53rd minute after his second yellow which spurred a wave of late challenges and fierce tackles to take over for the next 10 minutes.

Brookvale did manage a few weak chances from long range; however, it was David Pascuzzo's point blank attempt which excited the Brookvale crowd in what was a scrappy second half.

A fierce Luke Femia half volley fell to Pascuzzo with pace and the striker was unable to get the touch he wanted to steer into the back of the net seconds before the final whistle.

Showing signs of fatigue, Yagoona managed to enter the Brookvale half only twice in the second period and it seemed certain extra time would only be another uphill battle for the Bankstown champions.

How unpredictable football can be.

Three minutes in and after their first shot on target in more than 50 minutes of play, Yagoona found the back of the net in spectacular fashion.

With Brookvale over committing too many players forward, the Yagoona defence found Zlatko Trajcevski on the right. He was able to skip past his defender and accelerate down towards the goal line before playing a pin point pass to an oncoming Markovski who made no mistake side footing his volley from the penalty spot to send the Yagoona crowd into raptures.

As Yagoona fans poured onto the field to join the passionate celebrations, Brookvale knew they had blown their chance of a 2009 championship and only had themselves to blame.

Brookvale coach, Joe Santarosa, who was barely able to force a smile after the match, summarized it well.

"Today the game wasn't unfair for us," he said.

"That's football and if you don't take your chances early, they can come back to haunt you later on.

"In saying that however, I can't fault my players. They gave all their effort and I am can't argue with that," he added.

When asked about what happened on the decisive Yagoona goal, Santarosa explained that over commitment from players was the downfall.

"Unfortunately we over committed too many players because I think we thought we had it [the game]," he said.

"It was there to be won but we just threw too much forward," he continued.

Yagoona coach, Talevski was ecstatic with the win and the way his players handled themselves despite the enormous pressure they had to endure.

"The boys had to absorb a lot of pressure today but I always had belief that we were going to win," he said.

"We have had an excellent run coming into the final and the boys showed so much heart and passion throughout the match.

"I just knew we could do it," he added.

Conscious it wasn't his team's best game of the season, Talevski was quick to point out the power of results.

"We didn't play the best football today but we showed we can get results," he said.

"In a final, I would rather play less attractive football and get the result we need over anything else," he added.

This game ended what has been a monumental run of Champion of Champions matches at the famous Valentine Sports Park. So many memories, so many matches, so many quality stars that have come through this magnificent tournament but it will be the Yagoona Lions who will be long remembered as the final team that won the All Age Men's Champion of Champions for 2009.

-By Caetano Lima