Last weekend produced an interesting list of similarities in results across the three grades with all three League Champions, Corrimal Rangers (1st), Thirrioul FC (Reserves) and Helensburgh Thistle (Youthies) failing to make their respective Grand Finals at the first time of asking.

Instead, it was the Runners Up in each Grade, Warilla Wanders (1sts), Fernhill (Reserves) & Fernhill (Youthies) who made the most of the opportunity to book their spot at the Big Dance at WIN Stadium on Saturday September 24.

In some ways that is not a bad thing (for the League Champions), as having a 'second' week off at this time of the year can work against a team in terms of 'match practice' but now there is no room for error as it is a case of everything being on the line this Saturday in the quest for a date with destiny.

 

Saturday 17th September

Grand Final Qualifyers

Wetherall Park, Primbee

 

Corrimal Rangers v Fernhill - First Grade KO 2.30pm -

Referee: Andrew Naylor

Runaway Champions, Corrimal Rangers faltered for the second match in succession when they led Warilla Wanderers three times in a hum dinger of a Major Semi Final before losing a penalty shoot out (1-4) after the sides were locked at 3-3 after extra time last Saturday.

There was nothing wrong with the way Corrimal went about their business in the game creating a number of goal scoring opportunities but failed to take into account the marvellous fighting spirit of the Warilla team (scored equalisers in the 88th & 119th minutes) that never gave up which eventually paid handsome dividends.

If the Rangers are to have a shot at claiming the double, they will first have to overcome a confident Fernhill side who had a comfortable four goals to nil victory over Balgownie Rangers and were never in any real trouble with goals from Ben Moerman(2), Kazuma Nagaishi and Chris Hobbs.

News from the Corrimal Camp (Coach - John Fleming) puts the recent setbacks down to the side having a bit of a downer after the club accomplished it's main goal for the season which was to win promotion. After missing the Round 22 game against Kiama (2-1 loss) Fleming felt that against Warilla his side played exceptionally well creating a host of chances. He was quick to point out that heads are not down in the camp after last week's loss and they will be ready to play with the game against Fernhill just an extra game to play.

Fleming said that Fernhill are a very good side and played well the last time they met (Rd 12 - 3-1 win) and he has the utmost respect for the Foxes. The Coach wants his own team to tidy up defensively after being sound all season but they were a bit lax last time out especially when conceding so late in the piece(twice). It is important that the Rangers pick up the momentum once again.

From Daniel McGoldrick's (Fernhill Coach) point of view they will need to take there game to another level if they are to overcome the League Champions and he does have available Dale White and Andy Keep for the game on Saturday after missing the Balgownie game.

With so much at stake, McGoldrick feels that his side need to tidy up in a couple of vital areas. It will be extremely important, that they must convert goal scoring opportunities when created and not concede silly goals at the other end of the park. Keeping their defensive shape will be paramount and not get caught on the break especially through the mid-field.

The Coach is in no doubt that this will be a tough game as Corrimal are a quality side but he believes if his team can get a 50-50 share of possession then his team will be in with a good chance. Fernhill will take heart and be highly motivated from the last time they played (Rd 12) as the sides were locked at 1-1 ten minutes into the second half at which point the Foxes were reduced to 9 men with the sending off of two players including Goal Keeper, Akira Tatsubayashi.

Fernhill would also take heart from the fact that they were only one of two teams to take a point off Corrimal during the Regular Season but that was way back in Round One.

However, a worrying sign for the Foxes is that Joint Golden Boot Winner, Mark Picciolini, who plundered 26 goals in 19 Rounds, hasn't scored a goal for Corrimal in his last four matches so he is due and will need to be marked tightly. This will be no easy task as Fernhill will need to also keep an eye on fellow striker, Save Treneski who also scored 26 goals to snare the 'left' Golden Boot.

Tip: Corrimal Rangers

 

Thirroul FC v Oak Flats Falcons -Reserve Grade KO 12.15pm -

Referee: Nicholas Ryan

After suffering just the one loss during the Competition proper, Thirroul came unstuck in the Major Semi, when beaten by a last gasp stunning winner from Fernhill's Toby Napper in a one-nil defeat.

There was not a lot between the two sides on the day but it was a case of Fernhill finding something extra at the death.

Oak Flats have been a bit of a surprise package in the Final Series thus far as they only snuck into the play offs & fourth position on the ladder, in the last ten minutes of the Round 22 fixture against Balgownie Rangers who missed out at the Flats expense.

Oak Flats took care of Corrimal Rangers (2-1) in Game One of the Finals before scoring a comprehensive four goals to two victory over Warilla Wanderers in Week 2. At one stage in that match, the Falcons led four/nil just after half time with Michael Wilson helping himself to a teriffic hat-trick in the process.

However, Thirroul will go into this contest as firm favoutites to get a re-match with Fernhill at WIN, on the back of finishing a massive 19 points in front of Oak Flats at the end of Round 22 and also beating today's opponent 5-1 in Round 6 although honours were even when they caught up with each other later in the season.

The underdog's tag will suit Oak Flats fine as they have a few 'old heads' in the team who know that results during the season proper count for little in September.

Tip: Thirroul FC

 

Helensburgh Thistle v Wests Illawarra - Youth Grade KO 10.00am -

Referee: Michael Bell

League Champions, Helensburgh Thistle got a bit of a reality check in Week Two of the Final Series when soundly beaten three goals to nil by Fernhill who scored three second half goals to secure their spot in the Grand Final.

The Burgh had previously beaten the Foxes comfortably in the two weeks leading up to the Final Series so perhaps they had the game won in their minds prior to kick off.

Wests Illawarra bounced back from a Week One loss to Ferhill to eliminate Thirroul FC in Game Two albeit on penalties (3-2) after the two sides had fought out an exhilarating three/three draw at the end of extra time. Aiden Gallo got two goals in that one to go with his 18 goals during the League Competition and could be one to keep an eye on as far as the Burgh defenders are concerned.

Reece McAlpine and Bradley Watts led the way in goal scoring action for the Champions with 15 goals apiece and with the Thistle shooting blanks against Fernhill, the two strikers will need to improve on that to give their side a chance of progressing to the Grand Finale.

Only three points seperated Helensburgh and Wests (3rd) at the end of Round 22 and with Wests coming out on top (3-1) in Round 20 after sharing the honours in Round 9 this one could be a very even affair.

It would not surprise to see the game end up with extra time being played and perhaps penalties being required to determine the outcome.

Tip: Wests Illawarra (to do it for DD)

Report by David Naylor

Picture courtesy of Pedro Garcia