Wests Illawarra have stamped their authority over the District League Fraternity Cup, with a classy 1-0 victory over District League title-contenders Corrimal Rangers.

Wests have won three games from three clashes through a combination of youthful energy and talent, to top Pool C and earn a spot in the Fraternity Cup elimination rounds.

Wests Illawarra coach Arthur Kinnas wants to keep a lid on his teams success, saying that it was nothing special what they have achieved over the past 3 weeks.

“Just a normal game I suppose, nothing outrageous,”Kinnas said.

“We got a lot of young boys, and we are doing alright.”

The opening stanza of the final group game of Pool 3 in the Fraternity Cup was expansive, energetic and full of intensity.

Both clubs were trading shots early, both teams maximising the full length of the pitch, extending opposition defences through the use of the sidelines.

At the 12th minute, the first genuine chance of the fixture came through a strike from Corrimal’s Mark Picciolini, forcing Wests goalkeeper Jordan Timpano to dive horizontal to deflect the shot, with Corrimal midfielder Lorri Mandredi unable to direct the scraps into the goals.

Mark Picciolini only a minute later had a strong chance to get his name on the scoresheet, with a shot that screamed wide across the face of the goals.

In the 21st minute, Wests Illawarra striker Johnny Vicoroski knocked a classy finish into the back of the goals to stun the local Corrimal crowd. A threatening cross from Luke Milkeris looped over the tall Corrimal defenders to allow Vicoroski to leap onto the bouncing ball, and finish a well deserved goal.

Wests Illawarra continued to swarm the Corrimal Rangers in defence, pressing with success, generating a range of Corrimal passes missing their target and a rise in the Rangers frustration levels.

In the 35th minute, Corrimal had an opportunity to equalise just before half time with an Evan Fitzsimmons ball into the penalty box finding a unmarked Mark Picciolini, who directed it just wide of the right post.

Wests Illawarra took a 1 - 0 lead into the halftime break.

Corrimal were not going to give in, evident in the 45th minute when link passing amongst the Corrimal frontmen including Christopher Stevanovski and Domenic Magill nearly provided the gateway for Lorri Mandredi to equalise, but the opportunity was sprayed wide.

Wests Illawarra made their defensive intentions clear in the 46th minute, as they substituted goalscorer Vicoroski for an additional defender, content with a one goal advantage.

Corrimal dominated territory and possession from this point, but impressive Wests defence meant that the Rangers struggled to find any genuine chances.

Late in the fixture, an injury square to Corrimal midfielder Paul Guido as concussion forced him from the field after the ball struck his face with considerable force. Corrimal’s Lorri Mandredi also left the field late with an ankle complaint.

Corrimal coach Yani Sekuloski found a number of positives in the result.

“I am feeling pretty confident for the season ahead,”Sekuloski said.

“You are always going to get results like this, I am actually glad that you can say we lost this game, so it is a bit of a wake up for all the boys, to see that we have a bit of work to do.”

Wests coach Arthur Kinnas gave special mention to a number of his players.

“I think in today’s game Jake Bailey and Oscar Moreira were awesome, same with Luke Melkeris. All were very good,”Kinnas said.

Wests and Corrimal will be playing in the Fraternity Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.  Wests Illawarra topped the group with Corrimal already having qualified as the best second placed team.

 

Corrimal Rangers - 0

Wests Illawarra - 1 (Vicoroski 21’)

 

6:30 pm, Friday 4th March, 2016

Memorial Park

 

Referee: Ryan O’Sullivan

Assistant Referee: Greg Reid

 

Corrimal Rangers: Blowes, Bescos, Belsito, Nanos, Plakias, Guido, Mandredi, Fitzsimmons, M Picciolini, L Picciolini, Magill (O’Brien, Dimovski, Cuda, Stevanovski, Purdevski)

 

Wests Illawarra: Timpano, Mena, Kandilas, Sallabank, Melkeris, Moreira, Djukic, Bailey, Tortorella, Youssif, Jorge (Burleigh, Vicoroski, Boyd, Cicekoag, Gillis)

 

Report by Daniel McGookin

Photo Archive: Pedro Garcia