The round twelve WGC Cranes District League match between Berkeley Sports and Wests Illawarra took place on Saturday at Berkeley Sports ground in sunny but very windy conditions. The strong westerly winds made for a difficult match for both Berkeley Sports and Wests Illawarra. Despite this, both teams played with determination but at the final whistle it was Berkeley Sports who came out on top, defeating Wests Illawarra 1-0

The match began at a steady pace as both teams tried to come to grips with the windy conditions. The first scoring opportunity came in the 12^th minute of the game when Berkeley Sports’ Greg Moon took a shot at goal from outside the box but the strong westerly wind directed the shot past the left post.

West Illawarra had their chance, in the 15^th minute, when Oscar Moriera crossed the ball to Kon Kandilas who was on the other side of the field and headed the ball back towards Paul Burleigh who took a powerful shot at the goal but missed.

An early substitution was then requested by Wests Illawarra with Godfrey Franco replacing Daniel Jorge. Shortly after, West Illawarra’s Jake Bailey took a shot from the left side of the box but it was confidently saved by the goalkeeper.

Showing the strength of the wind, in the 29^th minute, Wests Illawarra goalkeeper took a goal kick which was taken by the wind all the way to the goalkeeper’s box at the other end but the ball hit the top of the net on the bounce.

A free kick was awarded to Berkeley Sports in the 30^th minute after a Wests Illawarra player pushed a Berkeley player over. The free kick was taken by Jon Adams but the ball was saved and deflected by a Wests defender.

The first goal of the match were scored in the 31^st minute from a free kick to Berkeley. Tony Paglialunga placed the shot over the wall and into the net. Berkeley Sports 1 – Wests Illawarra 0.

Before half time Wests Illawarra had two chances to even the score from corners but both attempts were unsuccessful. The half time whistle was blown with Berkeley in the lead 1-0.

The second half began with a corner to Berkeley which resulted in a shot that just went wide.

Wests Illawarra then had a good opportunity to score after good passing from Paul Burleigh to Nick Kougious then onto Jake Bailey whose powerful shot at goal was well saved.

Wests Illawarra made two substitutions with Daniele Marsalla replaced by Nathan Puljic and Joe Yousiff replaced by Daniel Djukic. Berkeley made one substitution with Greg Moon being replaced by Ben Hardcastle.

Wests had a last chance to score but the wind again played a part and took the shot over the top of the goals.

The final score remained Berkeley Sports 1-Wests Illawarra 0.

 

Saturday 11^th June – Berkeley Sports Ground Berkeley

Referee: Aden Crawley

Assistant Referees: Joel May and Trent Clarke

 

Berkeley – 1

Wests – 0

 

Berkeley Team:

Tye White, Adam Inskip, Ryan Crouch, Justin Mears, Matt Mears, Dylan Evans, Alex Perez, Chris Rowlan, Jess Gant, Tony Paglialunga, Greg Moon

Replacements: John Muscat, Jon Adams, Ben Hardcastle

 

Wests Team: Michael Potter, Luke Melkerts, Ben Sallabank, Daniele Marsalla, Oscar Moriera, Jake Bailey, Nick Tortorella, Joe Youssiff, Paul Burleigh, Nick Kougious, Daniel Jorge

Replacements: Daniel Djukic, Nathan Puljic, Kon Kandilas, Godfrey Franio

 

Report by Emma Gilly

Photo: Pedro Garcia