Corrimal and Helensburgh faced off in the semi-final of the Fraternity Cup, with both sides seeking a berth in the 2016 final. As the highest faring 2nd-placed team from the pools, Corrimal scraped into the semi's, but proceeded to show what they can do.

Corrimal pushed very hard for the opener from the outset, with Domenic Magill finding himself constantly in menacing spots. After only 7 minutes, his cross from the left wing nearly floated into the far post if not for an acrobatic save from Helensburgh keeper Massimo Iopollo falling backwards to tip it just over the bar for a corner. Minutes later, Magill had a powerful volley blocked by the Thistle defence, and Jason Dimovski forced a reflex save from Helensburgh keeper Massimo Iopollo after a flurry of headers fail to clear a corner, before an offside ruling void the effort.

Mark Picciolini began to find his feet leading the Rangers line, and was allowed to turn on the top of the box after Helensburgh lost possession, before hooking his shot wide left. Paul Guido was similarly afforded enough space to weave through defenders before seeing his shot also blocked by the last man. Dimovski was slid in behind the defence again on the left wing only to put his shot into the chest of onrushing Iopollo.

Helensburgh forged their first genuine chance after 25 minutes, with Chris Russell reaching the by-line and curling a cross into the far post, but the open header went begging as scores remained level. Three minutes later down the other end, Mark Picciolini was the only one to rise to meet a corner, heading in unchallenged from 8 yards to give Corrimal a deserved lead. Leaving the field shortly after, Mark Picciolini was replaced by Evan Fitzsimmons who took up the fight to Helensburgh immediately.

Helensburgh called Corrimal keeper Mitchell Bowles into action after a quick counter seemed to break down, only for Luke Wyatt to finesse a shot up and over the crowded area, needing an outstretched dive from Bowles to effect the save.

The remainder of the half was dominated by Corrimal once more, with Magill and Fitzsimmons constantly finding each other in strong positions up front, combining on multiple occasions only to see the final product let down the lovely lead-up play. Helensburgh had their chances but failed to create anything meaningful enough to worry the defence, Bowles has only had to make a couple of tough saves. Corrimal enjoyed great success off their chances, however heroics from Iopollo and his defence maintained a 1-0 margin at the interval.

 

Second half saw the passages of play resume, with Corrimal creating more chances of greater danger to the Helensburgh goal. Thistle captain Gary Cassidy was forced into consecutive last-ditch slide tackles inside his own box to prevent clear shots. Corrimal continued to flood forward, with Chris Stevanovski hitting a fast volley off a deflection just over the bar, before doubling the lead on the hour. Simple passes on the edge of the area switching the ball from left to right before the defence could recover, first from Magill, onto Luke Picciolini, before Stevanovski sliced it home into the near post for 2-0.

Minutes later, Corrimal looked like grabbing a third after Save Treneski rounded the last defender in close quarters, having his shot blocked and a rebound saved well down low to Iopollo's right.

Once more, Corrimal looked confident in possession about 30 yards from goal, with L. Picciolini hitting an audacious out-curling shot from 30 yards, having noticed Iopollo off his line, only for an acrobatic save to tip the dipping shot just wide.

Helensburgh never really got themselves into the game, with relentless Corrimal attacks forcing them to defend for most of the game. A rare chance for Helensburgh came through Hayden Garrard hitting in a low, hard cross which was punched clear just ahead of Russell's outstretched leg.

However Corrimal were relentless and once Magill, Fitzsimmons and Treneski combined for the former to put a third past Iopollo, the result was beyond doubt. Helensburgh continued to fight valiantly but once the result was inevitable, the Corrimal confidence grew and the chances poured in more than ever.

Two minutes after the third, a replica of interplay and intricate passing which came about the third saw Fitzsimmons deservedly get on the scoresheet. Fitzsimmons was unlucky to not bag a 2nd goal with a flashy volley stinging the palms of Iopollo from less than 6 yards out, somehow being tipped over with a miraculous save. Not to be outdone, Treneski hit a rocket of a volley from 25 yards after a corner bounced out, slamming into the top right for 5-0 just before full time.

There was little Helensburgh could do to match the class of Corrimal, with numerous noteworthy individual performances contributing to the overall result. Undoubtedly the better team on the day progressed to the final.

 

Helensburgh Thistle - 0

Corrimal Rangers - 5 (M. Picciolini 28', Stevanovski 60', Magill 76', Fitzsimmons 78', Treneski 87')

 

Wednesday 9th March

Memorial Park

 

Referee: Emma Hayes

Assistant Referee: Greg Reid, Aden Crawley

 

Helensburgh Thistle: Iopollo, Charman, Cassidy, Rowley, Blackmore, Wyatt, Van Zyl, Mucci, McCann, Russell, Wellings

Subs: Curighton, Garcia, Garrard, Grima, Keep

Corrimal Rangers: Blowes, Mitkovski, Nanos, Belsito, O'Brien, Guido, Mandreoi, Dimovski, M. Picciolini, L. Picciolini, Magill

Subs: Bescos, Fitzsimmons, Stevanovski, Treneski, Purdevski

 

Report by David Atherton

Photo by Pedro Garcia