Woonona Sharks met Wollongong United for the third Youth Grade final in a row with United winning last season’s Cup final and Woonona winning the Grand Final a couple of months later. While the last two encounters were tight affairs, the Sharks could not match a determined United side who claimed their second Youth Cup in succession.

There was not much between the sides in the opening exchanges, though, United had a couple of half chances. In the 13th minute, Dion Sterjovski had a free kick palmed over the bar and five minutes later Jackson Brooks had a scuffed shot that was well saved by Lachlan Ahling.

In the 25th minute, United was awarded a penalty after Zac Nicholas was adjudged to have been fouled. Zac Mazevski took the spot kick and confidently buried the ball in the bottom left corner.

With the towering Brooks brothers, United was always going to be a threat from set pieces and Jackson came close with a back post header in the 33rd minute but the ball bounced to the left of the goal.

Woonona forward Daniel Djukic had two golden opportunities to level the score within ten minutes of the break. First, he got on to a Dion Avouris through ball but was denied by a strong right hand by Brandon Groom. Two minutes later, Kyle Del cut the ball back to Djukic inside the 6-yard box but somehow Groom blocked the shot before the ball was cleared away.

The Sharks paid for those missed opportunities when United grabbed their second a minute out from halftime. Mazevski picked up the ball near the halfway line, he rode the challenge of a defender before cutting inside and thumping the ball past Ahling from the edge of the area. While a number of Woonona players could have done better, it was a fantastic solo effort for Wollongong United’s number 22.

Wollongong United went into the sheds with a 2-0 lead.

Woonona had a big chance two minutes into the second half when Djukic flicked the ball on for Joel Beattie who was nearly through on goal. The wily Beattie attempted to chip the onrushing goalkeeper but Groom was able to get his head on the shot and direct the ball wide of goal.

In the next few minutes, the game was put to bed with two more United goals. The first being a Zac Nicholas tap in, followed a minute later by a Sterjovski corner which deflected into the goal off the goalkeeper's punch.

Despite being four goals behind, the Sharks still pushed for their opener. In the 53rd minute, David Kotric played Del on goal but he could only find the side netting from a tight angle and in the 58th minute Djukic was once again denied by a solid Groom save which pushed the ball out for a corner.

The rout was completed in the 73rd minute when Sterjovski crossed the ball in from the right for an unmarked Dylan Sokopf who was able to side foot the ball into the back of the net. They nearly had a sixth two minutes later, however, Ahling was able to produce a solid one on one block.

The outstanding United victory was capped off in the 87th minute when Beattie was through on goal but Nicholas made a last ditch lunging tackle to push the ball out for a corner.

After the match, Wollongong United coach, Icko Atanasoski was delighted with his side's display, “Really happy with the performance, they followed the instructions perfectly.”

Zac Mazevski claimed the player of the match award for his two goal haul, however, Atanasoski was keen to focus on the collective, “When you [all] play well individually, it comes together as a team.”

 

Post match interview with Wollongong United coach, Icko Atanasoski - https://soundcloud.com/dylanarvela/icko-atanasoski-after-wollongong-united-win-2017-youth-cup

 

Woonona Sharks - 0

 

Wollongong United - 5 (Mazevski 25’ pen, 44’, Nicholas 48’, Own Goal (Ahling) 49’, Sokopf 73’)

 

Sunday the 30th of July, 2017 at Crehan Park, Cringila

 

Woonona Sharks - Lachlan Ahling, David Kotric, Thomas Mindzas, Joshue Day, Aiden Breslin, Kai Mellor, Kyle Del, Kye Foster, Daniel Djukic, Doin Avouris and Joel Beattie - Subs - Darcy Jordan, Brodie Foster, Lachlan Pattman, Jacob Kentta and Braeden Kludass

 

Wollongong United - Brandon Groom, Chris Cakarovski, Ben Brooks, Matthew Lynch, Addison Gillespie, Jackson Brooks, Steve Ugrinovski, Dylan Chaplin, Zac Nicholas, Zac Mazevski and Dion Sterjovski - Subs - Lachlan Theobald, Ben Lucas, Josh Nickl, Harley Martignago, Dylan Sokopf and Sam Adnum

 

Referee - Brad Moreira

 

Assistant Referees - Patrick Hutton, Keelum Harrison and Caleb Blanch (4th Official)

 

Report by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

 

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia