King Mickey Park played host to the Fraternity Cup clash between Balgownie Rangers and Fernhill Foxes. Balgownie suffered a 2-1 defeat to Thirroul in their opening match while the Foxes had the standout win of the opening round when they beat Wests Illawarra 3-1.

The opening stages of the match were occupied by both teams adjusting to a soaked playing surface, which had received nearly 60 millimetres of rain in the preceding 12 hours.

The opening chance of the match came in the 8th minute for Fernhill through Dean Morosin who lashed a shot from 25 metres out that required Aaron Tambakis to push it out for a corner. By this stage, Fernhill was beginning to dominate the territorial battle.

Keiran Duggan was the main attacking outlet for Balgownie and his physicality and determination earned a number of free kicks that acted as the respite for his team.

In the 15th minute, Duggan had Balgownie's best chance of the match when his pressure caused Fernhill's goalkeeper, James McClelland to miskick into him with the ball ricocheting centimetres wide of the goal.

In the next passage of play, Fernhill carved open the Balgownie defence with Sean Poulton firing a shot, which forced Tambakis into action. His save fell to Trent Morosin who tucked it away to put the Foxes a goal up.

Fernhill came close to doubling their lead in the 23rd minute when Ryan Hunter whipped in a low cross for Lachy O'Gorman to latch onto, his side-footed effort striking the top of the crossbar.

In the 31st minute, Hiroki Makita played a through ball to Andrew Breslin and his shot forced a scrambling save from Tambakis with the ball eventually being cleared by his defender.

Going into halftime both sides would have been content. Fernhill for having the lead and Balgownie for only being a goal down, due to some smart saves from their goalkeeper.

The second half started in the worst possible fashion for Balgownie when 4 minutes in, Andy Keep won a heavy 50/50 challenge before lobbying Tambakis from just outside the box. There was a shadow of controversy in the goal with the Balgownie players infuriated with Keep's firm initial challenge.

Up 2-0, Fernhill continued to dominate possession and came close with a couple long-range attempts. The first by Andrew Paine that was blocked by a defender and the second by Scott Muilwyk from 35 metres out that had Tambakis scurrying to his right.

Fernhill was unrelenting in the final 10 minutes with Makita and Shinsei Tanaka causing havoc for the tiring Ranger defenders with their nimble play.

Fernhill secured the 3 points with 5 minutes to go when Balgownie lost possession in their defensive third and Breslin laid off a pass to Makita who nestled the ball in the left side of the goal.

Within seconds of the restart, Fernhill had another excellent chance when a Tanaka's backheel teed up Breslin for a shot on the edge of the 18-yard box but his effort flew over the bar.

In the dying embers of the match, Keep held the ball up in the left corner before his curling cross found the far netting of the Balgownie goal. Was it a shot or a cross? Only he will know but it gave Fernhill the resounding scoreline to match their comprehensive performance.

With this defeat, Balgownie no longer has a chance of progressing to the next stage but they will face Wests Illawarra at Macedonia Park on Thursday night. As for Fernhill, they face Thirroul at Wetherall Park next Sunday - a point there could see them top Pool 1.

 

Sunday 26th February - King Mickey Park

Balgownie Rangers 0

Fernhill Foxes 4 (Keep 2, Makita, T. Morosin)

 

Balgownie Rangers - Aaron Tambakis, Matthew McCoy, Lachlan Veney, Anthony Stefanelli, Matthew Bubb, Jackson Dummett, Johnathon McCreay, Peter Katsoudas, Keiren Duggan, Kyle Ingram, Sebastian Dallas

Subs - Anesti Stratkas, Domenico Marsala

 

Fernhill Foxes - James McClelland, Dale White, Julian Cesta-Incani, Anthony Oliver, Sean Poulton, Kolan Al Mhde, Andy Keep, Scott Muilwyk, Dean Morosin, Andrew Paine (Guest Player), Ryan Hunter

Subs - Hiroki Makita (Guest Player), Trent Morosin, Lachy O'Gorman, Andrew Breslin, Shinsei Tanaka

 

Note - Unlimited interchange and 35 minute halves in Fraternity Cup matches.

 

Report by Dylan Arvela @dylaneloiarvela
Photo by Pedro Garcia (library file photo - 2016)