Fernhill FC have done the unthinkable and landed the final blow on the runaway League Champions Corrimal Rangers, bundling them out of the finals in a tight 1-0 victory at Wetherall Park on Saturday afternoon.

It appeared destiny for Corrimal Rangers to play at WIN Stadium next Saturday in the Grand Final, but a Scott Muiluyk first half goal was all that was needed for Corrimal to be eliminated in consecutive final losses.

It was just Fernhill Foxes day, with all three grades now in the District League Grand Final making for a delighted Dan McGoldrick.

“Three teams into the Grand Final from where we were two years ago is phenomenal,” he said

“Its a fabulous effort all round, and I am just proud we got there.

We didn't create too many chances early but we defended like demons, took the one decent chance. I couldn't be prouder with the boys and the effort they put in.”

The dynamic Corrimal attack began from the outset, with Luke Picciolini making a customary dart down his right sideline in the second minute to create enough space for a cross, that fell straight into the gloves of Fernhill goalkeeper Akira Tatsubayashi.

The Picciolini duo threatened at numerous stages early, with a Luke Picciolini chip bouncing in the penalty area for a rushing Mark Picciolini who missed the ball but clipped the goalkeeper, earning a yellow card for his troubles in the 7th minute.

Only minutes later, Corrimal’s Domenic Magill floated a lovely ball towards the far post with Luke Picciolini again hovering, unable to get his head to the ball in a ominous goalscoring opportunity.

In the 23rd minute, a class Corrimal ball from Paul Guido saw striker Save Treneski with space in the penalty area, but could not pull the trigger allowing the Fernhill defence to swamp him, with the attack ending with a tame Gavin O’Brien strike straight at the goalkeeper.

Tempers were beginning to rise within the Corrimal team, with poor on field communication and numerous offside flags frustrating the team as the heat of the preliminary final rose with every minute.

Opportunities were slowly being created by the Fernhill outfit, with a 33rd minute Chris Hobbs strike misdirected, and moments later a Dale White shot well saved by Corrimal goalkeeper Mitchell Blowes.

The Corrimal defence was finally breached in the 40th minute, by a set piece play targeting the towering Fernhill midfielder Scott Muiluyk who powered in the header into the bottom left of the goals for a critical opening goal.

More missed opportunities for Corrimal Rangers saw their frustrations simmer as the half time whistle blew, with the Rangers in an unfamiliar situation of a goal down at half time in such a high stakes fixture.

Fernhill looked to quickly stun Corrimal at the commencement of the second half with Andy Keep in a dangerous position in the penalty area but too too much time, with the ball eventually getting to Ben Moerman whose shot was well defended.

A critical moment came in the 50th minute, with a reckless challenge by Corrimal’s Fabian Cappetta earning an immediate red card forcing Corrimal to play out the final 40 minutes with 10 men.

Only minutes after came a blazing strike by Fernhill’s Scott Muiluyk searching for his brace, with an impressive save by Corrimal’s Mitchell Blowes ending the attack.

Fernhill had all the momentum for the early period of the second half but were not able to convert on the scoreboard, characterised by Chris Hobbs unable to control a difficult half volley chance off a Ben Moerman cross in a golden opportunity in the 58th minute.

A lovely Corrimal switch saw the ball travel across the field courtesy of Domenic Magill and Mark Picciolini, ending at the feet of brother Luke Picciolini who launched a dangerous strike from the corner of the penalty box that went just wide of goals on the 65th minute.

As Corrimal pushed men forward, a chance to end the match came in the 76th minute with Ben Moerman slipping a ball forward for Andy Keep who beat a charging goalkeeper Mitchell Blowes who was well outside the box. Kazuma Nagaishi was there to zoom around and take his time with the strike at the open goals, with Corrimal’s Nathan Belsito doing a fine job to defend the strike.

A number of loose fouls eventually came at a cost for Fernhill’s Julian Cesta-Incani, earning his second yellow on the 77th minute to create a 10 v 10 match for the final 15 minutes.

Corrimal continued to press forward, creating numerous opportunities over the final stages.

A Mark Picciolini strike on the 84th minute was misfired wide, along with a Fernhill goalkeeper Akira Tatsubayashi fumble on a corner, which nearly saw a Corrimal header nearly pop inside the goals at the far post but was defended.

Eventually, the full time whistle was blown as the Fernhill Foxes held firm to win an incredible victory against a daunting Corrimal outfit to earn a Grand Final position against Warilla Wanderers at WIN Stadium next Saturday.

 

Saturday 17th of September, 2016

Wetherall Park

 

Referee: Andrew Naylor

Assistant Referees: Adam Naylor & Greg Reid

Fourth Official: Nathan Wotton

 

Corrimal Rangers 0

Fernhill F.C 1 (Muiluyk 40’)

 

Corrimal Rangers:Mitchell Blowes, Vasko Mitkovski, Andrew Nanos, Nathan Belsito, Gavin O’Brien, Paul Guido, Fabian Cappetta, Domenic Magill, Mark Picciolini, Luke Picciolini, Save Treneski (Kolan Hmda 70’)

Yellow Cards:Mark Picciolini, Nathan Belsito, Andrew Nanon

Red Cards:Fabian Cappetta

 

Fernhill FC: Akira Tatsubayashi, Luke McDonald, Anthony Oliver, Julian Cesta-Incani, Scott Muiluyk, Dale White, Andy Keep, Matt Richardson, Ben Moerman (Dean Morosin 88’), Kazuma Nagaishi (Toby Napper 90’), Chris Hobbs (Keiran Morris 78’)

Yellow Cards: Scott Muiluyk

Red Cards: Julian Cesta-Incani

 

Report by Daniel McGookin

Twitter: @Daniel_McGookin