Coniston FC played Berkeley Sports in the 9^th Round of the WGC Cranes District League First Grade on Saturday afternoon at JJ Kelly Park. Coniston have had a solid start to the season while Berkeley looked to get their season back on track after not getting the season off the a great start.

Coniston began with their tails up, they held the ball for the first five minutes, dictating the play at their pace. They had a few half chances before turning in an early goal when new signing Tony Dulevski cut it back to Franc Pierro who had no problem placing the ball with terrific finish into the bottom corner from close range.

This was just the start of a brilliant afternoon for the boys in yellow. Minutes later, Coniston forced a good double save by Chris Lazarevski but there was no mistaking that Coniston were the ones who looked to produce the highlights of the match. They maintained their hold on the possession making simple passes without forcing any unnecessary balls.

In a similar play to their opening goal, Coniston broke down the right-hand side, but instead of cutting the ball as deep as they did, James Stewart laid a gorgeous low cross along the face of the goals which was turned in by the man who teed up the first goal, Dulevski. He aggressively attacked the ball, getting to it first and was rewarded with the net rippling after the shot was powered home.

Berkeley tried to get themselves into the match after Tony Paglialunga struck a ball with an immense amount of power. The ball looked as if it was serving into the top corner but an outstanding save from the Alex Makin denied Berkeley their ticket back into the contest.

Just 5 minutes later and the hosts opened the Berkeley defence again. A powerful shot was initially saved by Lazarevski, yet the touch wasn’t strong enough allowing Dinko Terzic to tap the ball in from close range.

Coniston had further domination in all aspects of the match and saw out the half without another big highlight. The half finished 3-0

Berkeley’s woes continued just after half time with Luke Boersma sent off for Violent Conduct. As so often happens in football, the home side switched off for a moment and perhaps become a little complacent as Tony Paglialunga whipped in a delightful ball which found Ross Prandalos who headed in from close range back across the goal wrong footing Makin and looping inside the far post to reduce the deficit.

This however was the highest point for Berkeley, who, 2 minutes later conceded a spectacular solo goal from James Stewart. Burning the wide fullbacks, Stewart cut onto his right foot, before firing the ball home.  

Terzic then secured his second of the match, when Bradley Moreira played a simple ball to the number 10’s feet. A magical turn left the defenders in Terzic’s wake, who coolly converted his double.

Terzic was involved again however this time, instead of attempting shot for his hat-trick, he laid an unselfish ball back to the incoming Andrew Nanos who thumped the ball past the keeper, for his first of the contest. Terzic’s unselfish play summed up the teamwork that had put Coniston in their current position in the match.

Coniston had their 7^th and final goal of the match in the 88^th minute when Adrian Nikolovski hit the crossbar with a cheeky chip. The ball then fell straight to the feet of Connor O’Neil who stroked the ball in from 3 yards out.

The game finished a staggering 7-1 with the hosts dominating from the outset. A well-deserved win by the Coniston team.

Coniston 7 ( F.Pierro 5’, T.Dulevski 19’, D.Terzic 30’67’, J.Stewart 59’, A.Nanos 75’, C.O’Neil 88’)

Berkeley 1 ( R.Prandalos 56’)

Coniston FC

A.Makin, M.Cuda, A.Nanos, V.Mitkovski, P.Susnja, B.Moreira R.Vandenberg, F.Pierro, J.Stewart, T.Duleveski, D.Terzic.

Replacements

F.Gaudiosi, C.O’Niel, A.Nikolovski, A.Simonovski, L.Manfredi

Berkeley Sports

C.Lazarevski, H.Till, R.Prandalos, J.Mears, B.McAteer, M.Mears, D.Evans, D.Deoliviera, L.Boersma, T.Paglialunga, C.Butcher

Replacements

J.Adams, G.Tan, I.Arancibic, L.Boersma.

 

Report by Liam Emerton