Fernhill FC hosted Kiama Quarries at Ray Robinson Oval for the rescheduled first round of the WGC Cranes District league competition. Fernhill were already top of the league with a game in hand while Kiama have struggled to build up any real momentum in the first 5 league matches. All signs pointed to a victory to Fernhill but funnier things have happened in the game of football.

The Foxes looked eager to start the game on top, dominating all the early possession and having the first shot of the match. Fernhill would open the scoring in the first 5 minutes and deservedly so. A cheeky bit of interplay between the front three of Fernhill opened the Kiama defence and allowed Dean Morosin to place one past the helpless keeper.

Fernhill continued their assault on the Quarries’ defence and when Morosin was pushed in the back inside the penalty area, the referee gave the Foxes a chance to double their lead just one minute after opening the scoring. Ilisa Prenzoski stepped up, and fired the penalty home, giving Fernhill a 2-goal lead in the first 6 minutes.

The Kiama fans had to wait a staggering 11 minutes for their teams first attacking chance, which eventually led to a wasted corner, relieving any pressure on the Foxes’ defence. This was Kiama’s only testing attack of the half.

Fernhill held possession and dictated the game to their liking. However, 15 minutes in and Fernhill struck again. A deflected shot fell to Andrew Breslin who had no trouble converting from inside the 6-yard box.

Fernhill were a class above Kiama as they continued to control the game, they were putting on a show for their home crowd who turned up in freezing conditions.

Prenzoski’s second, showcased Fernhill’s relentless attitude and their ability to score from anywhere on the pitch. A thunderbolt from 20 yards out left the keeper with no chance. A wonderful goal for a team who deserved to be winning by such a staggering margin.

But their first half dominance wasn’t over. In the 31^st minute Scott Muiluyk put his name on the score sheet after his back-heel flick on the half volley found the back of the net. Fernhill were almost toying with their opposition now.

A 5-0 advantage and further domination by the Foxes closed out a truly one sided half.

Fernhill’s players could have sat down in the dressing sheds at half time, turned the kettle on, and relax for the 10-minute break period. Their relentless work had punished the opposition into a score line which was beyond repair for Kiama.

But to Kiama’s credit, their second half started much more positively then the first. In the 62^nd minute, Kiama pulled one back through Todd Wade who tapped the ball into an open net. This ironicaly was the first goal Fernhill had conceded during the regular season. That breaks a run of 512 minutes without conceding.

Fernhill were annoyed by the fact that they had just conceded despite winning by a healthy margin. Their reaction was swift as minutes later, Breslin timed his run to perfection, putting him into a one on one situation, which he coolly converted for his second of the match.

Hiroki Makita was the final name on the scoresheet, after a ball was knocked across the face of goal, pulling the keeper out of position and allowing the substitute to finish a low header into the open net. His header put the hosts up to a well-earned 6 goal lead.

Neither team had any further chances, with Fernhill turning on the cruise control and Kiama failing to create any real dangerous attacks.

Full Time - Tuesday 2 May 2017 @ Ray Robinson Field

Fernhill FC 7 (D.Morosin 5’, I.Prenzoski 6’,20’, A.Breslin 15’,63’, S.Muiluyk 31’, H.Makita 67’)

Kiama Quarries 1 ( T.Wade, 62’)

Fernhill FC

B.Hunter, j.Cesta-Ingani, R.Hunter, D.White, A.Oliver, I.Prenzoski, A.Breslin, M.Sergi, D.Morosin, S.Muiluyk, K.Hmda.

Interchanges

T.Morosin, B.Kear, H.Makita, J.McClelland

Kiama Quarries

M.O’Neill, D. Gillespie, C.Barrett, C.Hill, D.Counter, B.Hardlastive, C.Christopoulou, J.Lester, K.Beringer, J.Gomes, T.Wade           

Interchanges

L.Munro, C.Stubman, J.Perinich, I.Hudson

 

Report by Liam Emerton.