A second half double from Berkeley Sports striker Jaksen Giraldi helped his side gain an amazing victory over the Warilla Wanderers at Barrack Heights Sportsfield on Sunday.

Jaksen Giraldi scored two goals in the space of seven minutes in what could be the biggest upset in the Fraternity Cup so far. The young Berkeley side were outstanding in defence and in the process, managed to defeat a Warilla Wanderers side who took out the WGC Cranes District League Grand Final in 2016.

Berkeley cemented themselves in opposition territory during the opening stages as they prevented Warilla from playing direct and free flowing football. A free kick just outside the box was the perfect time for the men in green and black to stamp their authority early. Chris Rowles couldn’t get the early break through miscuing his attempt to the right of the goals from just outside the box.

Berkeley midfielder Dylan Evans almost clinched a cracking goal from halfway. Wanderers’ keeper Josh Rowles showed his athleticism and determination as he miraculously leaped backwards to deny what would have been an incredible goal.

Warilla started to get themselves back into the game as they generated chances through some terrific crosses from their midfield wingers. Firstly, Martin Castelli received a pin point accurate cross heading the ball into the top right corner of the goal, but was denied by the offside flag. Skipper Bojan Caric then missed his chance deep in opposition territory as his attempt brushed the outside of the woodwork.

Berkeley seemed to rely on the counter attack for the majority of the first half as they did very well to frustrate the usually efficient Warilla forwards.

In the second half, the Wanderers continued to apply a lot of pressure on the Berkeley defence as Berkeley goal keeper Christopher Lazarevski made an incredible save preventing Warilla going ahead just minutes after the restart.

After digging deep in defence, Berkeley were rewarded for their defensive effort when Jaksen Giraldi and Warilla keeper Josh Rowles collided in the tackle. The ball bounced up as Giraldi leapt highest as he headed the ball into the back of the net giving his side 1 – 0 lead somewhat against the run of play after 48 minutes.

Just seven minutes later, a perfect long ball from halfway allowed Jaksen Giraldi to hammer his second goal for the game as he alluded the desperate outstretched hands of the keeper. With 15 minutes left Berkeley had a 2 goal buffer and Warilla needed hit back quickly.

As hard as they tried, Warilla just couldn’t make the most of their opportunities as skipper Bojan Caric was gifted a perfect cross late in the game, but his header just went over the crossbar.

The full time whistle couldn’t have sounded better for the Berkeley faithful as they grabbed an important and impressive 2 – 0 victory.

Warilla gave it their all and will consider themselves unlucky as they will look to bounce back for their next Fraternity Cup match.  

Sunday 19^th of February – Barrack Heights Sportsfield

Referee: Stuart Bell

Assistants: Keelum Harrison, Mitchell Main

 

Berkeley 2 – Giraldi 48’ 55’

Warilla 0

 

Berkeley Sports – C. Lazarevski, R. Crouch, H. Till, R. Prandalos, J. King, M. Mears, D. Evans, A. Perez, C. Rowlan, B. McAteer, J. Adams

Subs – L. Blotch, P. Besnard, J. Giraldi, M. Jones

 

Warilla Wanderers – J. Rowles, M. Marinelli, A. Montalbano, J. Goldsmith, J. Nolan, L. Everingham, N. Del Turco, M. Castelli, B. Caric, D. Ferraro, N. Peglar

Subs – A. Inskip, J. Pickles, S. Robertson

 

Report by Ruben Campbell: @CampbellRuben

Photo coutesy of Kiah Hufton