The semi finals of the Fraternity Club Cup District League took place on Wednesday night. In one of two semi final games played at the same time Wests Illawarra narrowly defeated University 4 – 3 in a high scoring, entertaining game at Macedonia Park Berkeley.

Both clubs went into the match after finishing top of their pool in the preliminary rounds so a hard, even game was expected.

Opportunities came early for both teams with an unsuccessful goal attempt from Wests’ Daniel Djukic in the 4^th minute which went over the top of the goal and a shot at goal by University’s Luke Vandenburgh in the 11^th minute which was well saved by Wests Illawarra’s goal keeper Jordan Timpano.

University again pressured Wests with two more shots at goal from Michael Pitt before finally succeeding in the 14^th minute with a goal to University’s Liam Daley from right in front of the posts.

University continued the pressure with another goal attempt before a mistake from Wests allowed University’s Tom Brown to score the team’s second goal of the match in the 23^rd minute. The shot from the right side of the field put the ball into the bottom of the left hand side of the goal.

University 2 – Wests Illawarra 0

Wests Illawarra were forced to increase their intensity and in the 26^th minute a through ball from West’s Emanuel Hondroudacis allowed Wests Johnny Vicoroski to score the team’s first goal of the night.

Wests continued to pressure University with a cross in from Cesur Cicekoag from the right side of the field to the middle allowing Daniel Djukic to have a direct shot but University’s goalkeeper Liam Stevenson had no trouble saving it.

Wests’ continued pressure on University paid off in the 30^th minute when a deflection allowed Wests Johnny Vicorosli to score Wests and his second goal.

Wests Illawarra 2 – University 2

Wests continued to pressure University and had one more shot at goal in the 38^th minute from Aiden Gallo but it went over the cross bar.

Half time saw the game in the balance at 2 – 2

Overall Wests had more possession and more opportunities in the first half due to their strong mid - field but could not capitalise enough to go into the lead.

The second half got underway with a free kick to University which was taken by Michael Pitt but was unsuccessful.

Wests came back quickly and in the 49^th minute Daniel Djukic scored their third goal. Daniel Djukic shot the ball to the right hand side from outside the box which hit the right hand post and came back down over the line.

Wests Illawarra 3 – University 2

Both sides had numerous chances to score. University had a chance from a corner but it went wide with Wests also having a chance with a shot by Luke Melkerts from the left hand side outside the box but it too was unsuccessful. University then had another unsuccessful chance from a corner.

Eventually a corner to University allowed Liam Daley to head the ball into the right hand side of the goals in the 58^th minute.

The scores were now even Wests Illawarra 3 – University 3.

Wests had two more opportunities to score while University also had a chance in the 79^th minute from Lochlain Ryan when the ball curled from his foot as he kicked it but Jordan Timpano was able to save it.

Good passing and teamwork led to Wests finally breaking the deadlock. Wests shot at the goal from close range which was saved by goalkeeper Liam Stevenson but the ball deflected off his hands and allowed Daniel Jorge from Wests to put the ball into the net.

Wests Illawarra 4 – University 3 in the 80^th minute.

A corner gave University’s Lochlain Ryan a chance to score right in front of the goals in the last minute of the game but unfortunately the kick was misjudged so the final score remained Wests Illawarra 4 – University 3.

Wests Illawarra now go on to the Grand Final of the Fraternity Club Cup District League which will take place on Saturday 12^th March at Tarrawanna Oval.

We wish both teams in the Grand Final good luck.

 

Wests Illawarra -4 - Daniel Djukic (2), Johnny Vicoroski (2)

University – 3 – Tom Brown (1), Liam Daley (2)

 

Wednesday 9^th March 2016

Referee: Michael Kusi-Appauh

Assistant Referees: Steve Bozic and Peter Ilcevski

Story by Emma Gilly

Photo Archive: Pedro Garcia