WGC Cranes District League Semi Final Wrap

In the elimination semi-final at Macedonia Park on Saturday, Helensburgh Thistle got the better of Warilla Wanderers by three goals to one.
The Burgh made a terrific start to the game, dominating possession and keeping Warilla pegged back in their own half for the first 15 minutes. This early onslaught paid off with Luke Wyatt opening the scoring to provide the Thistle with the early edge.

Gradually, the Wanderers were able to get a ‘foothold’ in the game as the opening stanza wore on and they were back on level terms just before the break with Colin Walker finding the back of the net.

After the interval the match developed into somewhat of an arm wrestle although Helensburgh looked the more dangerous in front of goal with Chris Russell have a couple of opportunities to break the deadlock but failing to convert.

Ten minutes from time, the Thistle were rewarded for their more enterprising play taking the lead when Monte Pfrengle capatalised on some hesitancy in the Wanderers defence to head home a bouncing ball just inside the penalty area past the advancing Warilla Keeper, Bradley Hunter.

Towards the end Warilla had a couple of penalty shouts rightly turned down by Referee Peter Ilcevski and the result was put beyond doubt in stoppage time when substitute Jason Wellings scored with a neat finish to a fine passing movement.

Over at Wetherall Park, Corrimal Rangers moved through to their First Grand Final in 25 years after overcoming League Champions, Picton Rangers one goal to nil in a very tight encounter.

A goal mid-way through the first half from experienced mid-fielder, Tony Dulevski proved to be decisive in a match where there was very little between the two sides for the full ninety minutes.

Reserve Grade

League Champions, Warilla Wanderers are the first team into the Grand Final after a two goals to one victory over an ill-disciplined Helensburgh Thistle at Macedonia Park.
The Burgh opened the scoring as early as the 3^rd minute when Hayden Gerrard found the back of the net but two second half send offs for double yellow cards indiscretions(Rob Oste & Liam Vermeer) made their task more difficult with the Wanderers advancing on the back of gaols from Stewart Robertson and Ricky D’Egidio.

There was an almighty tussle over at Wetherall Park in the elimination semi-final between Thirroul FC and Picton Rangers which was only decided by an extra time goal from the Rangers’ Ben Roberts for the one goal to nil victory.

Youth Grade

In the Grand Final Qualifier at Wetherall Park, Wests Illawarra overcame League Champions Corrimal Rangers by one goal to nil, courtesy of a Kon Kandilas 80^th minute goal to send the West’s faithful (especially Diggety Dave) delirious with delight.

At Macedonia Park, in the elimination semi-final, Helensburgh Thistle advanced to next week’s Final on the back of a fantastic opening half which produced three great goals against Thirroul FC.
Thirroul never really recovered from conceding two goals in a minute when Cody Cuthbertson(16’) and Angus Blackmore (17’) scored and the writing was on the wall when Cuthbertson added his second five minutes from the break.

To their credit, the Thunder kept on fighting until the end and were rewarded with a consolation goal when Lachlan O’Gorman scored deep into stoppage time at the end of the game leaving a score-line of three goals to one in favour of Helensburgh.

 

-Photo courtesy of Fotosportz-