The Balgownie Rangers have progressed in the WGC Cranes District League finals courtesy of a late extra-time goal in front of a small but vocal crowd at a slippery Memorial Park.

Both Thirroul Thunder and Balgownie Rangers traded blows throughout the see-sawing clash, with a stale-mate holding firm until a Balgownie Rangers deflected free-kick in the 115th minute snuck into the right corner of goals, courtesy of Nick Morgan.

The late goal put a smile on the face of Balgownie coach James Dummett.

“The boys are pretty happy because a few rounds out we weren’t even expecting to make the semis, and now we go on again and have another opportunity,” he said.

“I have always considered Thirroul our bogey team, we always seem to never be able to get a result from them. It is very satisfying. ”

In dewy conditions, both teams came out from the opening whistle with intent to knock the ball around the park, but were matched against opposition on each side by enthusiastic defence.

It was a game of few and far opportunities on goal as reflected on the scorecard, with both teams struggling to create genuine goal-scoring chances throughout the 120 minutes of football played.

Thirroul Thunder had a strong opening chance in the 11th minute, with a loose tackle from Balgownie’s Michael Todd earning a free kick taken by Thunder’s Corey Haines-Grose with the deflected strike nearly spinning into the right of the goals.

The Bally Rangers showcased their speed up forward though Jordan Scott, Mitchell Hoswell and Anthony Vardareff but poor passing saw these attacking weapons get swamped, before shots on goal could be unleashed.

It took until the 40th minute until a genuine attempt on goals was found, with a classy cross from Balgownie’s Jackson Dummett finding the head of left-back Matthew McCoy at the far left post, who powerfully headed the ball wide as he could not work the tight angle.

At the halftime whistle, Balgownie had the higher amount of chances but Thirroul showed attacking venom that could bear fruit in the second 45 minutes.

Thirroul’s Corey Haines-Grose found space in attack on the 51st minute, darting to the left of the goals before a left-foot strike sliced off the boot to sail wide of the goals, blowing the strong opportunity.

Only a minute later, we saw the best goal-scoring opportunity of the match with a Thirroul cutback from the edge of the penalty area which saw Rhys Patchett thunder a strike dangerously to the top right corner of goals forcing an acrobatic save from Balgownie goalkeeper Mitchell Pill to keep the scores level.

A Thunder free-kick in the 65th minute from Ryan Latini, deflected out wide to everywhere-man Corey Haines-Grose who powered the chance wide across the face of goals yet again.

Thirroul continued to come home strong, threatening to score the vital goal at a number of stages including a skidding long range strike in the 73rd minute from Rhys Patchett.

Balgownie nearly stole the result during injury-time with Nicholas Morgan finding space from a free-kick, before launching the strike straight at Thirroul goalkeeper Jayden Lewis for a comfortable save.

The two teams limped into extra-time, with tired legs suggesting that a penalty shootout was the only option to separate both Thirroul and Balgownie.

The best opportunity for Balgownie coming in the 99th minute when Jackson Dummett locked a ball onto striker Anthony Vardareff in the penalty area, who could not turn in the box to unleash a strike but earned a corner for his trouble.

The match was trickling towards the shootout until an ugly but inspired Nicholas Morgan free kick, hitting the boots of the Thirroul wall before trickling into the bottom right corner for the all-important match-winning goal in the 115th minute of the match.

Thirroul had one final scramble at goals in the 121st minute, with bodies everywhere in the penalty area as a number of shots were pounded all on target for no result.

Balgownie Rangers will aim to keep their fairytale finish alive, taking on Fernhill Foxes in an elimination final on Saturday.

In the earlier fixture, Thirroul's Youth Grade overcame late resistance from Warilla to win 3-2 in their elimination match. 

 

Tuesday 6th of September, 2016

Memorial Park

 

Referee: Bobby Mazevski

Assistant Referees: Nick Ryan & Greg Reid

Fourth Official: Aiden Crawley

 

Thirroul Thunder 0

Balgownie Rangers 1 (Nick Morgan 115’)

 

Thirroul Thunder:Jayden Lewis, Daniel Bond, Harry Hodda (James Townson 116’), Tyler Snelgrove, Adam Ward, Rhys Patchett (Luke Mittwollen 79’), Ryan Latini, Todd Davidson, Corey Haines-Grose (Jesse Bragg 90+1’), Matthew Kellond, Daniel Arthur.

Yellow Cards: Tyler Snelgrove

Red Cards: Nil

 

Balgownie Rangers: Mitchell Pill, Matthew McCoy (Brett Mcaulay 102’), Lachlan Verey, Benjamin Kearton, Frank Timpano (Peter Katsoudas 54’), Nick Morgan, Jordan Scott, Michael Todd, Jackson Dummett, Mitchell Hoswell , Anthony Vardareff

Yellow Cards: Frank Timpano

Red Cards: Nil

 

Report by Daniel McGookin

Twitter: @mcgoookin93

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia (library archive)