After bouncing back to the winner’s list following their mid week win against Kiama, Fernhill FC came back fighting against the home team Wests Illawarra. Both teams began the game with fiery spirits, but it was Fernhill who dominated the game with a 4-1 win against the Devils.

Both teams had the ball going end to end in the early minutes however none of whcih really evenutated into anything signifcant. The first threat  however came in the 8^th minute when Fernhill's Kazuma Nagaishi had a shot on goal after a through ball but unfortunately for him,, he put the ball just wide of the post.

In the 16^th minute, Fernhill had another opportunity to score after they were given a free kick just outside the box. Marc Sergi took the kick, the first shot on target after 15 minutes of dominating for Fernhill, but it was well saved by Wests’s Jordan Timpano.

As Wests mounted raids, they seemed to break down in the last third which ultimately proved decisive.

It was in the 27^th minute that Fernhill managed the breakthrough. Marc Sergi tapped in the ball to the right of the keeper after a fine set piece from Scott Muilwyk.

Ten minutes later, Wests came back fighting. With Fernhill in possession,  a bad back pass to Fernhill keeper Akira Tatsabayashi saw Wests' Godfrey Franco block the clearance from Tatsabayashi which rebounded to his feet and he made no mistake capatilising on that error to level the scores.

Wests seemed to pick up their game after their first goal and in the last 15 minutes of the second half, with more controlled attacks.

We headed into the break at 1-1.

Just four minutes into the second half, Fernhill were up again. Ben Moerman took the ball down to the goal, crossing the ball in from the left side of the box. Unfortunately West’s Timpano was too far out from the goal, and Ben Sallabank attempted to save the ball from going in, with an unfortunate attempt.

In the 65^th minute, Kazuma Nagaishi brought it up again for the visiting team. After a corner was given to Fernhill and some squandering in front of the goals, he shot the ball low to the right of the keeper to put the Foxes 3-1 up.

Just two minutes later, it was 4-1. Andrew Keep took the ball down through the Wests defence and his shot from the right side of the box rocketed in to effectively close out the match.

The last few minutes saw Wests fighting, but unfortunately their plays were not able to muster up a goal, missing vital chances at the last third with their last chance of a hopeful corner that was cleared away.

In the end, Fernhill fought for the win with both teams maintain their position on the table. Fernhill at 3^rd place and Wests at 11^th.

 

Saturday 25^th June, District League – Unanderra Oval.

 

Wests Illawarra: Jordan Timpano, Dylan Mena, Ben Sallabank, Cesur Cicekdag, , Daniele Marsala, Tyren Maclou, Jake Bailey, Nathan Puljic, Kon Kandilas, Godfrey Franco (37”), Nick Kougios.

Replacements: Casey Graham, Ryan Akhurst, Michael Potter, Josh Gregory.

 

Fernhill FC: Akira Tatsubayashi, Sean Poulton, Anthony Oliver, Matt Richardson, Dale White, Scott Muilwyk, Andrew Keep, Marc Sergi, Ben Moerman, Kazuma Nagaishi, Chris Hobbs.

Replacements: Luke McDonald, Keiren Morris, Brett Kear, James Mcclelland.

 

Referee: Ryan O’Sulliven

Assistant Referee: Trae Arnold

 

Report by Lauren Ferri (@lauren_ferri)

Photo: Pedro Garcia (library archive)