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Match report: Rams vs Kincumber 4 September 2010
These two teams have met, in one form or another, since U5's and Kincumber has always had the edge. But not today. The courageous Roos lost their first game to the boys in the green and white strip, and it was a battle royal.
As has so often been the case in our games this year, our opponents come out hard, and we needed to get a lot of men behind the ball to keep them out. Kincumber's passing game, especially to their wingers, was causing us no end of trouble. But Chaz and Ben C were tidying things up well for us at the back, and there was only a couple of real chances for the Roos; one went wide, the other was blocked beautifully by Chaz coming off his line,
Late in the first half we started to get things moving. Matt Caisley, Ben G and especially Brayden were getting some good touches and setting up Lachie and Matt Cahill on the flanks. Now it was Kincumber's turn to be on the back foot, and their #4 was being kept busy. But the back four in both of these teams are pretty good at pressuring the opposition: Kincumber only conceded 6 goals over the whole season, and we only conceded 13 (and 7 of them were to Kincumber), so chances were always going to be rare.
Matt McLean produced another Xavi pass, and split their defence with a well-weighted ball, but their fullback and keeper were up to the task and kept Brayden out. Bailey was causing no end of headaches for them with the pressure he was putting on their defenders.
Full-time came and went and the arm-wrestle continued. It was riveting football. Extra time came and went and it was still 0-0.
We missed with our first shot, but the ref ruled that the Kincumber keeper had moved forward off his line, so we got to take it again. Brayden made no mistake. Chaz saved one and the Roos missed another, but then so did we. Everyone's fingernails were bitten down to the quick. It finished Rams 3, Kincumber 2.
Chaz was our man of the match today. It has not been an easy job being our first-choice keeper this year, but he performed superbly. Brayden got the coaches award. He really stamped his authority on midfield today. Majestic performance!
Truthfully, every one of the boys deserve an award. Each one of them played a great game, each one made timely and important contributions: tackles, passes, making great position off the ball. If you see one of the 10A's around the club, pat him on the back and say "Job well done."
And now we find ourselves in the Grand Final, and probably favourites to win. We deserve it lads, we have shown everyone that we have the right stuff, and now Kincumber and Killarney get to fight it out for the right to play us in a fortnight.
See you at training!
Burns McLean
10A Coach
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Match report: Rams vs Killarney 14 August 2010
Killarney are the big improvers in the 10A comp. Over the last couple of weeks they've accounted for Terrigal 4-0 and Ourimbah 7-2. So their low position on the table was never going to be an indication of the level of difficulty of this game.
The first half belonged to the boys in the black and white strip. Chaz was having a busy game in goal, and his excellent timing and positional play made it look a lot simpler than it really was. Eventually the pressure told and Killarney got one on the board.
The second half was much better from the Rams. It took us a while, but eventually we put three or four passes together down the right flank and when the cross came over, Ben Gardner was on the spot to whack it in. 1-1.
Killarney came back at us hard, but we were good enough to hold them out. It finished a draw.
Ben Campbell and Matt McLean picked up the awards this week. Ben has been first-class at sweeper over the last couple of weeks. Matt played a very good game at centre-mid, where he held the ball up well for us. It was a fine effort from both of them, but the awards could have gone to any of the lads. Bailey was non-stop, as usual. LD had a hand in everything that looked dangerous near the Killarney goal. Lachie was great - covered his usual number of kilometres, despite his injury. Brayden had a very good game, and his second half was probably his best half of the whole season. LP gave it everything in midfield. Curtis and Jonas were excellent as fullbacks. Matt Caisley is the super-stopper, and Chaz did a superb job between the sticks.
Semi-finals in a couple of weeks boys, and we are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
See you at training!
Burns McLean
10A Coach |
Match report Rams vs Terrigal 8 August 2010
Off to Frost Oval, which was appropriately named for a very cold and very early game.
Terrigal seems to save their best for us, and they played a very solid game today - especially in the second half. Nil all at full time, so we shared the points. I shook the Terrigal goalie's hand at fulltime. He earned them their point today - he played a superb game.
The most important thing from this game was the toughness that the boys showed. Again and again the bounce of the ball didn't go our way. It was a torrid match - so no criticism of the referee is implied - but we had a number of 50-50 calls go against us today and stood up to the challenge. Sport is about the development of character, and these boys really showed everyone what they're made of. On behalf of all the parents, as I said after the game I say again, "Boys, we're proud of you". Proud of your effort, proud of your skills, proud of the way you conduct yourselves. You are all fine ambassadors for the green and white.
Brayden and Lleyton Parker got the awards today. Lleyton's effort in goal in the first half was excellent. Brayden was a real handful for the Terrigal backs every time he had the ball. But everyone deserved an award. It was that kind of game.
Semi finals approach. The next time we play the boys in orange and black will probably be on 4 September, in the 2nd vs 3rd semi final. It should be another cracker. Here's hoping for a bit more luck.
See you at training boys. |
Match report Rams vs Berkeley Vale 7 August 2010
We were good enough to get up 3-1 over Berkeley Vale today.
We trialled a new position system and, while it was not perfect, it seemed to work well enough.
It is certainly something to keep up our sleeve.
The game started evenly, with both teams moving the ball around reasonably well. About 10 minutes into the game, Berkeley Vale got a corner. The ball took a funny hop, and Ben G's attempted clearance sliced off the outside of his boot and ended up in the back of our net. BVFC 1, Rams 0.
If there is one thing that this team does well, it is fight their way back into the game. We were causing them all sorts of problems down the right flank with Matt Cahill, Bailey and Llayton D doing most of the damage. The cross came in and LD was on the spot to knock it home. 1-1.
Matt Cahill and LD were in the thick of it again a few minutes later.
LD found a couple of metres of space on the right side of the penalty box. Bang. 2-1.
Number three came from another great through ball from Matt McLean.
Ben G ran onto it and did just enough to get it over the line. 3-1.
Halftime came and went. The second half was solid, but not great. Neither team threatened too much. I suspect that all of the players were lacking a bit of match fitness, as both sets of midfielders were doing a lot of walking, and not much jogging.
It stayed 3-1.
Matt Caisley and Jonas got the awards today. Solid efforts from both. Bailey Lawler had his best game of the year, his passing has improved so much in the last few weeks. We missed Chaz today. Hope you're feeling better soon mate. It looks like Curtis' knee is much improved, which is great news.
See you tomorrow boys for a big one against Terrigal.
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Match report EGFC 10A vs Kincumber 10A - 24 July 2010
There was no doubt that Kincumber came to our place with a point to prove, and prove it they did. The Roos dominated this game and thoroughly deserved their win: 3:0. I suspect that the boys who were away on a school trip, which arrived back late on Friday, were at less than 100%. But that can't explain the amount of bunching up that happened today. Positionally, this was our worst game of the year.
We have been working hard on our one-touch and two-touch passing since the start of the season, and it has paid dividends in many of our games - but not today. It seemed that every time we tried to find a team-mate, someone in a Kincumber shirt managed to get a foot in the road. You can't win the game without a reasonable amount of possession, and Kincumber were just too quick and too smart to give us that today.
The 4-5-1, 4-3-3 flexible position options were trialled in this game, but I am not sure that it was the reason for our lack of form. Maybe we would have played better in our usual 4-4-2, but those times we did string three or four passes together and launch an attack usually involved the wider players in midfield.
We need to stop relying so much on the long ball. Good quality opposition fullbacks will eat that for breakfast. We need to pass and move - make good triangles - move the ball around - make the other team do the chasing. Football is THE passing game. There is a reason why FC Barcelona do it more than 500 times in 90 minutes.
The next few weeks are an opportunity for us to show the other teams, and ourselves, what we're made of. It is time for a long, hard look in the mirror. It is time to dig deep. It is time to trust each other more. In order to win this thing, we must win it TOGETHER.
See you at training boys.
B. McLean
10A Coach |
Match report EGFC 10A vs Terrigal 10A - 18 July 2010
Today’s game was a battle from start to finish. Terrigal were well organised, tough and disciplined and took their chances. We were well organised, tough and disciplined and didn’t. 2-0 to the lads in orange and black.
We had the better of the first half and had a number of raids on the Terrigal goal, but the Terrigal defence didn’t crack. As half-time approached they hit us on a counter-attack. Chaz came off his line to close the striker down and the ball deflected off his legs onto the far post where one of our backs got a foot to the ball, which bounced off the post again straight into the path of the Terrigal striker. 0-1.
A few minutes later and a corner wasn’t properly cleared. Chaz grabbed the
ball but the ref
decided that it had crossed the goal line. 0-2.
The second half was a more even affair. Chaz made another fine save and injured
his hip in the process, so Matt McLean pulled on the keeper’s jersey.
Legend of the week this week went to Chaz and the coaches award went to Curtis.
Lessons learned?
1. We need to talk more. Too many times today the man on the ball was unaware of options because of the silence.
2. The gap between midfield and the back four when we're on the attack hurt us again today, with a number of half-cleared Terrigal clearances picked up unopposed by our opposition. Midfield needs to be more disciplined and read the game better. We don’t need and can't afford 6 strikers. The coach has some ideas on how we can fix this. In fact it is the first thing we’ll talk about at training this week.
See you Tuesday night boys!
B. McLean
10A Coach |
Match report EGFC 10A vs Kanwal 10A - 17 July 2010
The big trip north to Kanwal, who equalised late in the game the last time we played for our only draw of the season. This game promised to be a tough one.
And it was. Kanwal came out fast and hard and we spent the first few minutes on the back foot. Matt Caisley and Matt Cahill were doing a lot of tidying up at the back.
But about 5 minutes into the game our short passing started to click. Ben C and Ben G were getting some great touches in midfield, and Lachie was creating some real havoc down the left flank. Now it was Kanwal’s turn to be on the back foot and they defended in strength.
Late in the half Matt McLean subbed on for Bailey and with almost his first touch of the ball split the Kanwal defence wide open. Llayton’s first touch was a beauty and his second sailed high and wide of the keeper into the back of the net. Rams 1, Kanwal 0.
Kanwal came out even harder in the second half. It was a real arm-wrestle from start to finish. The ball movement was good, but each set of midfielders were onto the ball quickly and were reading the game well. It was more side-to-side than end-to-end, but it was riveting football. It was just a question of which side would crack under the strain...
And neither of them did. It stayed 1-0 till the whistle went at full time.
Chaz didn’t have the busiest day today, but a clean sheet is never an accident. Good decision making and good positioning are the most important part of good goalkeeping, and Chaz made it look pretty easy today.
Lleyton Parker covered a lot of ground for us today. Some fine touches and well timed tackles were a feature of his game.
We welcomed Curtis back from his injury. He played his usual no-mistakes game for us. He really is a coaches dream come true as a fullback.
Jonas was like a wall that Kanwal kept throwing themselves at today. He just keeps getting better and better. His toughness set the standard for the rest of the defence.
Matt Cahill was our sweeper today, and his speed was a real asset. A number of times when the Kanwal strikers threatened to break through, it all came down to Matt and his ability to get to the ball quickly. The pressure he puts on the man with the ball is one of his greatest strengths.
And Matt Caisley reads the game like a pro. In the right place at the right time, time and time again. And his distribution from stopper is improving every week.
Ben Campbell is turning into an outstanding CAM. He moves well, keeps his head up, wins the 50-50 ball and hits a beautiful pass. Super effort today.
And the same could be said for his “partner in crime” Ben Gardner. Some really classy play today from the G-man. Excellent.
Brayden had another fine game today. Lots of running, good passing and his positional play off the ball has improved so much in the last few weeks. He is a real threat every time the ball is at his feet.
Bailey is still struggling with the flu and giving 110% when he is on the field. A really gutsy effort from the pocket rocket today.
Lachlan had one of his best ever games today. Some beautiful passing and his combination with the two Bens in midfield was first class. 10/10 for the running man.
Matt McLean played one of his best ever games today - at striker - which is not his usual position. He holds the ball up well and his pass to LD was one that Xavi Hernandez would have been proud of. Well done son!
And our goal-scorer, the elusive LD, was a thorn in the side of the Kanwal defence. A nudge here, a touch there and some lovely turns while on the ball were just some of the features of a fine all-round effort. Well done Llayton.
Up again tomorrow for our game against the old foe, Terrigal.
See you at training boys!
B. McLean
10A Coach
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Match report EGFC 10A vs Terrigal 10A - 16 May 2010
Our first Sunday game for the year. Terrigal have always been tough opponents, so we were under no illusions about what type of game to expect.
The boys in orange and black came out of the blocks fast and hard, and we played a lot of the first half in our defensive third of the field. Eventually the pressure got too much and they got their goal. Terrigal 1, Rams 0.
At the 20 minute mark, Ben Campbell substituted for Llayton Davis. He ran onto the field, down to the Terrigal penalty box and whacked the ball straight into the goal with his first touch. The best substitution I’ve made in 20 years of coaching!
Terrigal were still having the better of the game, but some great positional play from our central defenders and some of the best U10 goal keeping you’ve ever seen from Chaz Schram kept us in the game. It was still 1-1 at half time.
The arm-wrestle continued. Terrigal attacked, we held them out again, and again and again. Finally we got them onto the back foot. Matt Cahill hit a wobbly shot which somehow found its way into the back of the net. We were ahead 2-1.
One of their midfielders cracked one which hit the bottom of the post and flew back out of the penalty area. The tensions continued to build, and some fierce tackling led to a number of injuries. Chaz copped a set of springs down his calf, Bailey did an ankle, Curtis copped one in the mouth and Lachlan was hit by a tackle that, if it had been half a second earlier, would have been one of the best you would ever want to see. But it was late, so it ended up with an orange and black player getting a yellow card and Lachie on the ground with a back injury.
And the tougher the game got, the better we got. Possession was now a lot closer to 50-50, and when the ref pointed to the spot for a Rams penalty after Lachlan was brought down, Llayton Davis smacked it high and wide of the keeper. Rams 3, Terrigal 1.
The contrast between yesterdays game and this one was immense. Here are a few words about each of the boys....
Chaz - his best ever game for us. Courageous, positionally outstanding, just an all-round superb game at keeper.
Jonas - tough, quick, powerful. He took the best that our opponents had and finished on top.
Curtis - Mr 100% delivered his usual mistake-free game. Well done!
Matt McLean - played left back, stopper and left mid at various times today and did it all well. His timing today was as good as I’ve seen it. Excellent!
Matt Caisley - the lynchpin of the defence. On the spot time and time again to intercept a pass, make a tackle or clear the ball. A great game!
Bailey - covered his usual few kilometres today. Always at the opposition, tenacious, a coach’s dream come true.
Lachlan - our other marathon runner probably covered more ground today than in any other game he’s played this year. Quick and courageous and a real threat when he had the ball at his feet.
Ben Gardner - got the legend of the week ribbon today and thoroughly deserved it. Got the job done in central midfield. When someone needed to stand up, he did and earned even more of our respect.
Brayden - played the whole game today at centre-mid. A touch here, a nudge there, gliding past opponents with ease. Maybe he’s been watching video of Ryan Giggs or Maradona? 10/10.
Ben Campbell didn’t pick up any awards, but a number of people thought he was our best today. He played a super game. Tough, quick and in the right place at the right time. Outstanding!
Lleyton Parker made a number of really important tackles and had some great touches, particularly in combination with Brayden and Matt Caisley. A very good game from a valuable utility player.
Llayton Davis didn’t see as much of the ball as he usually does, but a couple of dazzling runs and some sweet touches to his team-mates when we were on the attack were first class. Got the Maccas award today. And as well taken a penalty as you’d like to see.
Matt Cahill gave everything for his team today. The goal was nice, but it was his efforts on the right flank, under immense pressure, which were his most valuable contribution. Greased lightning over the ground and more than a handful for the best defender.
See you at training boys!
B. McLean
10A Coach |
Match report EGFC 10A vs Ourimbah 10A - 15 May 2010
Back to Rams Central for our game this week against the talented Ourimbah team.
The final score in this game: Ourimbah 3, Rams 2. It was a game we could have won, perhaps even should have won, but take nothing away from Ourimbah, who seized the initiative after we scored two quick goals. Lesser teams would have lost faith, but the boys in dark blue stuck to their guns and got their win. Well done and good luck to them.
We made a pretty ordinary start to the game and were soon down 1-0. Things picked up after a few minutes and we had seven unanswered corners. The bounce of the ball didn’t go our way, and finally Ourimbah broke on a quick counter attack. Ourimbah 2, Rams 0.
We made a better start to the second half and piled on the pressure. Llayton Davis was having a blinder and whacked in our first. A couple of minutes later and he got the ball again with the same result. Rams 2 - Ourimbah 2.
We should have gone on to win, but Ourimbah was not going to lie down. They forced their way back down our end and would have quickly had a third but for a fine save from Matt McLean, using his feet. It didn’t matter in the end, as they caught us on the counter attack a few minutes later and got their third.
We need to take a long hard look at ourselves after today. The energy and support play that we displayed in patches today needs to be there from the first kick of the ball until the final whistle. We have the talent and the enthusiasm to win these kinds of games, and we owe it to ourselves to do it.
See you at training boys!
B. McLean
10A Coach |
Match report EGFC 10A vs Berkeley Vale 10A - 24 April 2010
We travelled north to Berkeley Vale for our first ever game against this club. Lots of unknowns for us today, but the same was true for them.
We were missing Ben Gardner, Brayden Habkouk and Matt Caisley for this match, and again called up some 9A’s. Special thanks and three cheers for Cameron, Brayden and Callum. Some big shoes to fill, and they all did a fine job.
The other complication with having key players absent is having other players playing out of their usual positions and, while there were some errors, the effort shown was first class. If we can maintain that level of effort with a team at full strength, we will be a force to be reckoned with.
Berkeley Vale came at us hard in the first few minutes. They were dominating possession, especially down their left flank, and we struggled to string passes together. We had a couple of raids, but most of the game was being played in our half. Finally a half-clearance was jumped on by one of the BVFC midfielders. The shot was struck, blocked, and the deflection went high and wide into our net. 1-0 Berkeley Vale.
Half-time rolled around and a couple of positional changes were made. Jonas went back to sweeper and Matt McLean went to stopper. Things started to click.
We had been struggling to get the ball up the right flank in the first half, but it was a different story in the second. Nearly all of our most dangerous possessions came through Chaz and Bailey feeding Cameron. The BVFC left mid was a handy player, but found Bailey’s energy difficult to cope with and we picked up more and more possession at right-mid.
Shot after shot went wide or over the bar. It was a matter of time, really, and finally Llayton Davis created enough space to knock one past their keeper. 1-1.
A few minutes later and Matt Cahill struck one from range. The BVFC fullback got a glancing header onto it and the ball went into net. 2-1. Football can be a cruel game.
And just like our game against Kanwal, we kept going. Lachlan Walter was on the spot to knock in the third. EGFC 3 BVFC 1 at full-time.
Chaz had another solid game at keeper in the first half, managing well with a slippery ball, and played a fine cover defensive game at right back in the second half. Lleyton Parker was sound and effective at fullback and keeper.
Jonas’ game improved in the second half as he moved back to sweeper. Another good contribution this week. Matt McLean picked up an award for his work in defence this week. It is one thing to clear the ball, it is quite another to hit 20 metre passes and put them at the feet of your strikers. Excellent.
Player of the week was Bailey Lawler. His energy level seemed to increase as the game went on. Nearly all of our most dangerous possessions flowed from his putting pressure on opponents which led to turnovers which gave us the ball. Matt Cahill, who’s pace is a real headache for our opposition each week, had another fine game. Curtis moved into centre-mid and covered a lot of ground for us. Another solid effort. Lachlan Walter owns right-mid at the moment. Another goal this week and another fine contribution.
Llayton Davis was excellent up front. Often surrounded by three defenders, and still able to pass and shoot effectively. Cameron Windus played at right striker for most of the game and acquitted himself with distinction.
See you at training boys!
B. McLean
10A Coach |
Match report EGFC 10A vs Kincumber 10A - 17 April 2010
We were down on numbers again this week and called up four 9A players for the big match against the team which has traditionally been our toughest rivals: Kincumber. A huge thank you to Curtis, Liam, Brayden and Callum.
The final score was Kincumber 4, Rams 0. I suspect that the score line would have been much closer if we had been at full strength, but Kincumber were too good on the day.
Matt Cahill got our Man of the Match certificate for an outstanding performance at centre-mid. He must have run a close to 5 km today. Best and fairest went to his partner Llayton Davis who was again our most potent attacker.
Chaz Schram had another fine game. First half in goal before swapping with Lleyton Parker at right back. Excellent positional play and timing are the hallmarks of his game and today was no different. Lleyton also performed well with some fine tackles and passes.
Jonas was much busier this week and did an excellent job of shutting down the talented Kincumber offence. Curtis moved to stopper and made a superb contribution. I don’t think he has missed a tackle or a pass since the start of the season.
Our midfielders covered a lot of ground today. Lachlan gave 100% on the right wing and created a number of problems for Kincumber. Our centre-mid's got the awards. Matt McLean got better as the match went on, shifted from left mid into a CDM position in the second half as we tried a 4-5-1 formation.
Bailey Lawler was just fantastic up front this week. Never stopped running, and really got after the Kincumber defenders. He had a solid game last week and if he keeps improving at this rate he will be unstoppable in a couple of weeks.
We created a couple of problems for ourselves by not clearing the ball effectively, and our marking let us down once or twice, but the game was a lot more evenly balanced than the score indicates. The ref’s decision to award a penalty at an important point in the game really swung things Kincumber’s way - but that’s football.
See you at training boys!
B. McLean
10A Coach |
Match report EGFC 10A vs Kanwal 10A - 10 April 2010
If courage had a colour, it would be green and white. The first game on the big field, and the U10A’s had 11 players to take on the Kanwal side who had a couple of reserves. This was going to be tough.
Our opponents had far the better of the first half. Chaz Schram had an outstanding game between the sticks and kept us in the game. It was still 0-0 at half time. We were in a real battle, and all the boys knew it.
Five minutes into the second half and Kanwal got a corner. It wasn’t cleared properly, and they got a good bounce. Side footed into the back of the net. Kanwal 1, Rams 0.
But we hung in there. A Rams corner and the ball was half cleared to Matt Caisley, who unleashed a rocket. It hit the post and Llayton Davis knocked in the rebound. Offside. Still down 1-0, but both sides knew that this game was far from over.
Finally we managed to string a couple of passes together and Matt Cahill burst into the clear. He beat the last defender and thumped it into the goal. 1-1 and we were back in the game.
A beautifully weighted through ball from Matt McLean set Llayton Davis up. His shot wasn’t cleared properly and Lachlan Walter was on the spot to tap it in. Rams 2 - Kanwal 1.
And we weren’t finished. Another corner found Llayton at the back post unmarked. The shot was struck sweetly and found the back of the net. 3-1 at full time.
Man of the match certificate went to Chaz. He can take a lot of confidence from his performance today. Outstanding goalkeeping. Curtis Larnach played his first game in the green and white today, and got the best and fairest ribbon. Well done Curtis.
Ben Campbell had a busy time at left back and acquitted himself with distinction. Excellent timing, passing and tackling. Jonas Ogston was the Rock of Gibraltar at sweeper. Nothing got past him today. Matt Caisley just got better and better as the game went on. Kanwal, especially in the second half, kept finding him in the right place at the right time. Curtis Larnach did not make one mistake at right back today. Did not miss a tackle, and every pass was sweet. Excellent!
Lachlan Walter played a super game. Copped a heavy knock early in the second half and hung in there for his team, picking up a deserved goal. Ben Gardner created a lot of good things for us today. A very good contribution at centre-mid. Matt Cahill was everywhere. His pace and positional play were too much for Kanwal, especially in the second half. Matt McLean produced a number of lovely touches today, setting up his strikers a number of times, and also played an excellent positional game.
Up front, Bailey Lawler was into everything, hassling and harrying the Kanwal defence. Full marks for a great effort. Llayton Davis was smart and elusive: a real handful for the Kanwal fullbacks every time he was on the ball. Could have had a hat-trick today, but will need to be content with just one.
Lots of positives today, but we also learned a couple of lessons. We will need to play a better short passing game next week, as we gave up too much easy ball by overestimating the distance that team-mates would be able to pass. We also gave Kanwal too much room in the middle of the pitch, especially in the first half.
We have started to build a good foundation for a successful season. Can’t wait to welcome Brayden Habkouk and Lleyton Parker back for our big game against our great rivals Kincumber next week.
Well done boys!
B. McLean
10A Coach
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