With Round 22 upon us, there was definitely lots of fight left in both the Balgownie Rangers and the Oak Flats Falcons on Saturday afternoon at Judy Masters oval. It was the Rangers who came out on top, but the Falcons made sure that they didn’t go down without a fight, and fight they did.

The result put Balgownie in fifth spot just ahead of Kiama on goal difference. It was an exciting game that had the home side supporters on the edge of their seat until the second last minute of the game.

Oak Flats were no pushovers when it came to it on Saturday afternoon, Balgownie definitely dominated attack but for the first 20 minutes couldn’t put anything past Oak Flat’s strong defence.

It was only ten minutes in when Balgownie had their first chance at goal when Matthew Bubb crossed the ball from the left finding Michael Todd who shot the ball towards goal with great aim, but Oak Flat’s Ben Wunsch managed to force a finger tip save over the crossbar.

It was in the 19^th minute when the deadlock was broken. Balgownie’s Kurt Dorahy put in a speculative shot from 20 yards out, but Wunsch made a bit of a mess with it allowing Mitchell Hoswell who, with his back to the goal bicycled the ball over his shoulder and in.

Only three minutes later and Balgownie was hot with another chance. Anthony Vardareff took the ball down and attempted a shot, but unfortunately the ball hit the crossbar before rebounding back into the field.

It was in the 40^th minute that Oak Flats finally had a chance as Joshua De Gouveia took the ball down the right shoulder towards goal, but it was his hesitation that stopped him, as he attempted a shot straight into the arms of Chad Huckel.

Only four minutes later Vardareff brought the ball down to Balgownie’s goal, where he exchanged the ball with Hoswell from the left of the goals. Once the ball landed with Vardareff again, he took a shot that beat the outstrecthed Wunsch who got a hand to it.

The first half ended with 2-0 to the home team and things were looking good.

The second half began much like the first, with Balgownie dominating the attack once mor

In the 67^th minute, Oak Flats had a chance on goal after Christian Cappetta took a corner that was headed on target, but it was Vardareff who headed the ball off the line keeping the Falcons at bay.

Oak Flats seemed to have some lost chances, as Jason Murdzevski sent the ball to De Gouveia once again who managed to pass the defence and take the ball down his end – but couldn’t finish the goal off.

It seemed like Balgownie were happy to settle for the 2-0 win however as we have seen in the past this score is very dangerous.

Oak Flats continued to pepper the Balgownie goal and looked to finish their season with something.

They finally go their breakthrough in the 82^nd minute when a free kick by Murdzevski from about 20 yards forced a goal mouth scramble where Gary Newall found the net from close range to pull a goal back for the visitors.

Hopes were high now as Oak Flats were hot on the attack and looking the more confident.

Just a minute before regular time was up, Josh De Gouveia eased past a defender and placed the ball into the right corner of the goal to turn the game on its head. 

Balgownie supporters were left frustrated as they saw their lead evaporate and the playoff hopes slipping away.

With Balgownie throwing caution to the wind, drama in the 92nd minute with the ball was crossed in from the right finding Bubb whose header found the net sending the home fans into delirium.

Sadly for Falcons, they just did not have time to respond with the Rangers making the playoffs by the narrowest of margins (+1 goal difference).

It was an exciting end to the game and Balgownie now live to fight another day.

 

Saturday 27^th August – Judy Masters Oval

 

Balgownie Rangers – Chad Huckel, Matthew McCoy, Lachlan Verey, Benjamin Kearton, Matthew Bubb (89’), Kurt Dorahu, Steven Pitman, Michael Todd, Sachsan Dummett, Mitchell Hoswell (19’), Anthony Vardareff (44’), Domenico Marsala, Andrew Harrower, Michali Tsalidas, Frah Timpano

 

Oak Flats Falcons – Ben Wunsch, Andrews Shors, Gary Newall (82^’), Mathew Cesta, Jason Murdzevski, Brenton Lloyd, Chrisian Cappetta, Daniel Muilla, Joshua De Gouveia (88’), Daniel Pisani, Brady Cleton, Liam Sallo, Chris Jarman.

 

Report by Lauren Ferri

Photo couresty of Pedro Garcia (library image)