Berkeley were unable to contain an energetic Warilla side on Saturday afternoon going down two nil. Both goals belonging to Bojan Caric in the 18th and 36th minute secured the win for the Wanderers at Berkeley Sportsground. The first chance of the game was only two minutes in when a long throw from Wanderers’Chad Keating to Caric with a man on his back, turned and toe poked into the side netting of the Berkeley goal.

Berkeley’s first chance unfolded moments later after a turn over in midfield caused by Chris Kostovski emerged into a through ball for Greg Moon to latch onto with a defender in tow, but his smothered shot wasn't enough to trouble Wanderers’keeper Brad Hunter.

A free kick was award to Berkeley in a dangerous area when Moon was brought down beside the box on the left hand side, Wanderers’right back Jason Goldsmith was shown a yellow for the challenge. Tony Paglialunga’s free kick was a top of the box pass to Dylan Evans whose superbly hit first time shot was prevented from hitting top corner by a deflection from a Wanderers player.

The first goal for Caric revealed itself after a number of sensational attacks including a clever 1-2 at the edge of the box blocked by resilient Berkeley keeper Tye White. The goal came after great play in midfield between Paul Gaffney and Luke Everingham resulted in a through ball to Caric who entered into and won the physical battle with Berkeley defender Ryan Crouch to slot the ball underneath The advancing White to make it one nil.

Wanderers should probably have got their second goal in the 33rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after White brought down Caric. Adam Martin stepped up to take the penalty, he struck it mid right and White’s outstretched palms saved the penalty by parrying it out for a corner.

The second goal wasn't too far behind when a surging run and powerful shot from the right hand edge of the box by Martin Castelli, blocked by White and sent soaring vertically, when it fell the only man in vicinity, Caric who calmly leaped above his flat footed defender and headed home.

The second half saw a few changes to the Wanderers line up and while moving the ball around midfield and in the attacking third, they were unable to secure a third goal after a number of entertaining build ups and courageous shots from Keating, substitute Adam White and Caric.

The Berkeley side seemed hungry to close the gap in the scoreline whilst remaining powerful enough to resist succumbing to the relentless attacks by the opposition. Together centre backs Justin Mears and Ryan Crouch thwarted a number of powerful attacks to keep the score at 2-0. Evans came to life even more for Berkeley in the second half with surging diagonal runs and skillful dribbles around defenders leading to shots that unfortunately went over the bar. Moon continued to cause Wanderers’ defenders trouble the entire half with powerful dibbles and killer passes, unfortunately leading to nothing.

Berkeley coach Paul Mears commended his team for being able to display true grit to hold back a very powerful attacking side, he also commended the efforts of Wanderers’ Paul Gaffney who dictated the speed and direction of the entire match.

Warilla coach Barney King also commended Paul Gaffney and the veterans of his squad for their experience in controlling the game and Bojan Caric for his expertise in front of goal. Both Squads feel today’s match was a positive step from previous matches looking forward into next week.

 

Saturday 9th April 2016

Berkeley Sports Ground - Berkeley

 

Berkeley Sports: 0

Warilla Wanderers: 2 - Caric (18’, 36’)

 

 

Referee: Michael Kusi-Appauh

Assistance Referee: William Arnold and Jacob Kentta

 

Berkeley Sports: The White, Ryan Crouch, Alex Perez, Justin Mears, Mathew Mears, Chris Kostovski, Dylan Evans, Chris Rowlan, Jesse Grant, Tony Paglialunga, Greg Moon.

Substitutions: Daniel McKellar, Jon Adams, Dave De Oliveira, Brad McAteer.

 

Warilla Wanderers: Brad Hunter, Tony Anastoski, Adam Martin, John Magenaar, Jason Goldsmith, Luke Everingham, Paul Gaffney, Chad Keating, Luke Greathead, Bojan Caric, Martin Castelli.

Substitutions: Nick Delturco, Adam White, Adrian Montabano, Stewart Robertson, Blake Pusell

 

Story by Sam Jordan

Photo by Pedro Garcia (Library archive)