Wests convincing in win over Balgownie

Round 2 of the Fraternity Cup saw Balgownie face off against Wests Illawarra. Wests were looking to build on a win from Round 1 to strengthen their chances of progression, however Balgownie had it all to play for after falling at the hands of Corrimal.

However, from the outset it was a one sided first half. Wests keeper Jordan Timpano was only needed on a handful of opportunities, with the midfield supremacy clearly on show as Wests dominated possession and meaningful chances. They were rewarded for constant pressure on the Balgownie goal on 16 minutes, as Kon Kandilis snuck onto the end of a searching ball at the back post to slot it calmly into the bottom corner.

From there, Wests only looked better and better, with their chances coming thick and fast, and every possession looking dangerous. Lax midfield pressure saw too much time on the ball for Wests' playmakers, allowing for measured passes over and through the backline. Balgownie were relentlessly pressed and forced into rushed attempts and errors.

Johnny Vicoroski looked a constant menace running at the Balgownie defence, turning defenders around and setting up teammates with weighted crosses. The high press of Wests again was rewarded after Balgownie keeper Daniel Westman claimed a backpass, before Daniel Djukic placed the free kick into the roof of the net from less than 10 yards out. Moments later, Nick Tortorella nearly added a third from a lobbed through ball on the right before rolling his shot inches wide across the face of the goal.

The second half saw much the same as the first, with Wests well on top, and Balgownie battling to stay in the game. Their defence seemed to keep out the chances as they came one after another, with goalmouth scrambles and reflex saves cleared to safety. Oscar Moeira saw a long range volley saved by a backpedalling Westman, before minutes later Vicoroski hits the crossbar from 20 yards with the keeper beaten, and sprays an identical chance soon after well over the top.

Balgownie saw their best chance of the game go astray as Jake Boyle drags an open volley across the goal, forcing a great diving save from Timpano, before Wests sprinted down the pitch on the counter for Vicoroski to see his shot from an acute angle tipped over the onrushing Ryan Akhurst in front of an open goal. It was to no avail though, with Wests scoring only 2 minutes later on the hour mark. Vicoroski rounded Westman amongst a congested box before having his shot blocked on the line, the ball fell to Akhurst who had a shot saved by the recovered Westman, before Vicoroski has his second strike hit the crossbar from close range and finally Akhurst nods home from close range on the rebound.

The final exchanges were limited to long range shooting and numerous fouls, and it concluded 3-0 in favour of Wests.

In what was a very one sided match, Wests asserted their dominance early in the game and never looked back. The midfield pressure was too much for Balgownie to handle, yet the time Wests were given on the ball allowed them to orchestrate some beautiful build-up play and chances. Balgownie were restricted to only a couple of good chances and spent most of the afternoon instead shooting from range, whilst Vicoroski was almost untouchable for Wests.

Story by David Atherton

Photo by Pedro Garcia (archive photo)