Fury Win Frat Cup in Tight Encounter

Dapto Dandaloo was given an almighty shock by Wests Illawarra in the Frat Cup Final on Sunday before prevailing two goals to one in an absorbing contest at Memorial Park.

Going into the contest as huge underdogs against the IPL favourites, Wests Illawarra was not overawed by the occasion and gave the Fury a run for their money before losing out in the pre-season finale.

After a bright start to the game, the District League side were rewarded when they opened the scoring in the 13^th courtesy of a well taken goal from striker, Gadir Maarbani.
True to his pre-game word, Wests’ ‘never parked the bus’ at any stage of the contest and were prepared to take the game to their opponents from the outset.

The opening goal was well constructed and a result of a good team build up from the back before Maarbani received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and finished with a nice drive which gave Fury Keeper, Mitchell Blowes no chance in goal.

This was just the start the Final needed and the game developed into a very open contest with both sides giving ‘as good as they got’.

The opening half proved to be a very even affair but although play flowed from end to end, goal scoring opportunities were kept to a premium mainly due to two resolute defences.

Parity was restored on the scoreboard nine minutes before the break and came as a result of a magnificent header from veteran Alvin Ceccoli who met the ball perfectly from a corner kick 15 metres from goal and thundered the ball past Wests’ custodian Matt Kingman.

One all at the break with the game in the balance.

The second stanza opened sensationally with Dapto Dandaloo being reduced to ten men with the sending off of star striker, Ricky Zucco. Zucco had been cautioned in the opening half for a rash challenge and when he rose high and tried to ‘fist’ the ball into the back of the net, he left the Referee no option but to issue a second caution.

Wests continued to be brave and push forward as much as possible in the early stages of the second period but the longer the game went they appeared to struggle for fitness and it was during the last quarter of the match that the Fury was able to get the upper hand and finish the stronger of the two sides.

The winning goal arrived during this time and came as a result of the Wests defenders not being able to clear their lines when given the opportunity. Man of the match David Hartas picked up the ball just outside the Wests’ penalty area, dribbled past an opponent just inside the box and finished with a terrific strike when the opening presented itself.

 

Most pundits at the ground were probably expecting an avalanche of goals from the Premier League outfit but this never looked like materialising at any point and all credit to Wests for such a dogged and disciplined display.

Whilst it wasn’t a polished performance from the Fury they got the job done and in the process picked up the first piece of silverware on offer for the 2015 season. No doubt they will be expecting other rewards during the year as the club always has high expectations going into a new season.

In the Plate Cup Final played earlier in the day, Helensburgh Thistle took out the honours with a three goals to nil victory over UOW FC. New signing, Andy Keep, scored a first half double to set the Thistle on the way before a Brad Watts goal 22 minutes from time sealed the result.