Fernhill hosted Thirroul at Ray Robinson Field on Saturday afternoon. Fernhill had been cruising at the top of the table, dropping only 5 points all season. Meanwhile, their opposition had been playing great football themselves pushing seeing them in 3rd. So, the clash between 1st and 3rd was always going to be an interesting contest with both teams looking to add to their already impressive point tally.

The match began with the Thunder pressuring the Fernhill defence trying to force an early mistake from the sturdy backline. The intense start by Thirroul almost gave them the perfect beginning, with the unrelenting pressing, forcing a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes from the Foxes’ backs allowing Thirroul to fire the first shot through Todd Davidson. The shot amounted to nothing more than a goal kick, nevertheless a blazing start from visitors.  

Soon after though, Fernhill began to dominate the ball and dictate the pace of the clash. Fernhill played ball to feet, played in the air and played Thirroul all over the park. Marc Sergi had the hosts first opportunity but he couldn't grasp the chance, as the ball became stuck underneath his feet and he couldn’t quite pull the trigger the way he intended.

An alert Joshua Williams maintained Thirroul’s clean sheet when he read the play early, swiftly snuffing out an early one on one chance for the Foxes. But 39 minutes in Fernhill finally broke the stubborn Thunder defence. Thirroul's first defensive mistake cost them dearly when Ilija Prenzoski fired home a close-range shot into the roof of the net after the Thunders defence failed to clear an awkward ball in the area.

Three minutes later the Foxes would pounce on a disorganised Thunder defence. Sergi, who had missed a golden chance to put the Foxes in front earlier, whipped in a lovely ball from a deep-set piece. It curved towards the penalty spot where Tor Preece checked his run and buried an uncontested header with the goalkeeper off his line.

Within 3 minutes the class of the league leaders was on display. The two goals struck the Thunder into a state of shock, luckily the half time whistle gave the visitors some respite. Fernhill led 2-0 at the break.

Fernhill didn't miss a step after the game restarted, they dominated possession and began to press further up the field with deadly attacking plays.

When a corner was whipped in from the right and connected with the head of a Fernhill attacker, the Foxes believed for all money that they had scored their third of the contest. But Williams produced the save of the match pushing the ball off the line just in time, defiantly keeping the Blues in the clash while denying the Fernhill players a chance to relax.

But he could not keep the Foxes out forever. Five minutes later, a simple give and go saw Andy Keep run into space and produce a sublime cross which found Ryan Hunter. He polished off the simple but effective attacking play with a gorgeous header, beating the defiant Williams. The goal all but wrapped up the game for Fernhill, putting the hosts comfortably in front with just over 20 minutes left to play.

Keep was then heavily involved again when he was brought down inside the area 3 minutes after Fernhill had increased their tally to a comfortable 3 goals. The referee signalled the penalty gifting the Foxes a chance to increase their lead to 4. Andrew Paine stepped up and outwitted the goalkeeper, stuttering in his run up before sending Williams the wrong way.

A very late chance down the other end saw Thirroul nearly grab a consolation goal but a switched-on Brad Hunter, who hadn't been tested at all by the Thirroul attack, produced an excellent one on one save keeping his clean sheet intact.

A convincing performance saw the Foxes runout 4-0 winners to maintain their 6 point lead at the top of the table.

 

Fernhill Foxes - 4 ( I.Prenzoski 39’, T.Preece 42’, R.Hunter 65’, A.Paine 67’)

 

Thirroul Thunder - 0

 

Fernhill Foxes - B.Hunter, S.Poulton, J. Cesya Icani, I.Prenzoski, A.Oliver, A.Paine, A.Keep, M.Sergi, R.Hunter, T.Preece, K.Hmda.

 

Replacements - D.Morosin, S. Muilwyk, S.Tanaka, T.Napper. J.McClelland

 

Thirroul Thunder - J.Williams, D.Bond, C.Haines-Grose, S.Mulholland, J.Hutton, J.Townson, A.Ward, T.Davidson, B.Strudwick, N.Mucci, J.Mucci,

 

Replacements - A.Buzinki, J.Bond, S.Woods, O.Pruks, S.Agalewatte

 

Report by Liam Emerton