Oak Flat Falcons cruise past Fernhill F.C

The Oak Flat Falcons became the first team to seize victory in District League Pool 2 of the pre-season Fraternity Club Cup with a clinical display against Fernhill F.C at Memorial Park on an entertaining Friday night of South Coast football.

Two draws were the results in Round 1 for each team, with both teams desperate to net their first win for the season and to progress into the elimination stages of the Cup.

The Oak Flats Falcons were the more impatient to get onto the scoreboard, with the first goal coming only minutes into the fixture.

At the 5th minute, a polished cross from Dominic Gustiniani on the right wing was greeted by an attacking Leeroy Boota who swiftly thundered the ball into the bottom left of the goal.

The Falcons continued to hold a territorial advantage for the opening stages of the first half, with a high number of shots, although majority were wayward.

In the 20th minute, Fernhill F.C had their first genuine attacking opportunity following a free kick, which deflected to pop up perfectly for Kevin McDonald who was unable to knock the ball into the net for the equaliser.

Substitutions were used freely by both coaches, with seven substitutions used in the late stages of the first half.

The half finished with the solitary goal, and a 1-0 advantage to Oak Flats Falcons

Fernhill F.C started the second half with attacking venom, unleashing a barrage of shots at goal, including midfielder Chris Hobbs thundering a powerful strike straight at the keeper.

The ball rolled end to end, with both teams unable to capitalise on their chances.

At the 40th minute, Hobbs powered the ball to the goal with Falcons goalkeeper Ben Wunsch demonstrating fine athleticism with a full length dive to his left to deny the shot.

In the 42nd minute, a crucial chance for Fernhill to equal the fixture came through a bouncing cross from the left corner. Striker Scott Muiluyk was unable to get a foot to the ball, whilst right forward Keiran Morris was only able to thunder the remains of the scrappy cross into the left post.

In the 62nd minute, Oak Flats Flacons locked up the match with an impressive goal to striker Daniel Petrolo. The assist was played through by Christian Cappeta, allowing Petrolo the opportunity to wrong-foot his defender, shooting the ball into the top right corner.

With a minute remaining, Falcons keeper Munsch put a wet blanket on an impressive game by dropping the ball off a corner in the 6-yard box, with Seb Dallas more than happy to score the consolation goal.

The Oak Flat Falcons will look to continue their winning form throughout the remainder of the Fraternity Club Cup, finishing their group matches on Sunday afternoon against University FC at Terry Reserve.

Fernhill F.C will be desperate to take more than a solitary point away from the pre-season tournament, and will seek a result against Kiama Quarriers also next Sunday at Wetherall Park.

Story by Daniel McGookin

Photo by Pedro Garcia (File Photo)