The Fernhill Foxes have returned to the winner’s circle with an emphatic 3-0 home victory over the struggling University FC at Ray Robinson Field on Saturday afternoon.

Two early second half goals to push a three goal lead alongside a University FC send-off was enough to ice a vital victory to allow Fernhill to motor up the WGC Cranes District League table.

Fernhill coach Daniel McGoldrick was very happy with the three points.

“Its cliche, but these sort of games we have got to win if we want to be a top 4 side and push on,” McGoldrick said.

Both outfits took some time to feel out the conditions with plenty of passes failing to reach their target in the opening minutes, ensuring a lack of genuine assaults on goal.

Fernhill was on the attack in the 13th minute with a Luke McDonald long ball into the penalty area finding the acrobatic boot of Matt Richardson who directed the ball over the University goalkeeper and the cross bar for a goal kick.

Fernhill continued to pressure the University defence and was rewarded only minutes later.

In the 17th minute, a series of short passes on the left sideline created enough space for Kazuma Nagaishi to power a low ball into the penalty area finding an unmarked Scott Muiluyk, who had no trouble thundering the ball into the netting for the opening goal.

Fernhill continued to press home the advantage, camping in front of the University goals with Naigashi threatening the goals with a number of successive shots courtesy of some silky ball movement but he was left unrewarded for his troubles.

In the 30th minute, University defender Liam Dalby took his time and sent a lovely ball through to striker Abdul Lawal against a set defence, who was able to power the ball towards goal to only be denied by the post.

Fernhill’s Matt Richardson has a great opportunity to double their lead in the 36th minute, but the golden opportunity was wasted as the strike drifted wide across the face of the goals.

Minutes before half-time Fernhill’s Marc Sergi nearly triggered a goal with some lovely touches in the penalty box only denied by an offside player, ensuring that the half time score was a 1-0 lead to Fernhill F.C.

In the 47th minute Fernhill attacked with a cross from Matt Richardson finding Scott Muilwyk’s head, and after two Muilwyk attempts Ben Moerman swept in low and ended the messy work by striking it into the netting to extend Fernhill’s lead.

With University’s heads down in the 51st minute, Fernhill’s Scott Muilwyk was able to take full advantage, latching onto a long ball and taking the ball all the way to the goals to calmly finished the past the goalkeeper for a 3-0 lead.

University’s frustration was evident with a careless challenge from Tom Shannon earning his second yellow leaving his team to battle out the remaining 35 minutes a man down.

The intensity of the fixture cooled from this point, with University struggling to find the energy with a man down to attack the goals whilst Fernhill consolidated possession.

University’s Michael Pitt sent a threatening strike in the 81st minute in a rare opportunity at a consolation goal, but it curled wide of the posts.

The final scoreline was a 3-0 victory for the Foxes.

University FC Coach Brendan Fotheringham was disappointed with the result but feels the team needs to control the ball better to stop their leaking defence, with has 19 goals against it in 6 games.

“People look at the stats and see you have conceded so many goals but its our holding possession up-field,” Fotheringham said.

“If you are defending for extended periods of time you are going to concede goals.”

Fernhill coach Daniel McGoldrick held special mention for striker and former University player Scott Muilwyk.

“Scotty Muilwyk was a stand-out. He got a brace and was very unlucky to not get a hat trick. That has been his best game for us.”

Fernhill FC will travel to Elizabeth Park next Saturday to battle Bellambi FC who have not registered a point yet for season 2016 whilst University FC will battle 11th placed Wests Illawarra at Koolobong Oval.

 

Fernhill F.C - 3 (Muilwyk 17’, 51’ Moerman 47’)

University FC - 0

 

Saturday30 April 2016

Ray Robinson Field

 

Referee: J. Ruscica

Assistant Referees: J. Walpole & T. Arnold

 

Fernhill F.C: Tatsobayaski, Poulton, Moss, McDonald, Kear (Thompson), Moss, Richardson, Sergi (Morosin), Moerman, Muilwyk, Nagaishi (Dallas)

Subs not used: McLelland

Yellow Cards: Nagaishi

Red Cards: Nil

 

University FC: Murphy, Newman (Purvis), Daley, Hood, Mawbry, Shannon, McLeod, Hamilton, Lawal (Fitzsimmons), Christie (Coetzer), Pitt

Subs not used: Vandenburgh, McGoldrick

Yellow Cards: Newman

Red Cards: Shannon

 

Report by Daniel McGookin

Photo by Pedro Garcia (Library Archive)