Oak Flats Falcons qualified for the semi-finals for the first time since 2006 after defeating University FC 5-2 at Kooloobong Oval on Saturday afternoon. With only a one-point buffer from Coniston, the Falcons knew a win would ensure they were not relying on other results. The significance of the occasion was evident as a healthy crowd made their way to Kooloobong Oval to watch this match.

 

The Falcons immediately showed their intentions by dominating the early possession. It was clear they were looking for an early goal. Their early dominance was rewarded after just 15 minutes. A teasing cross from Ryan Pitt found Daniel Munilla who leapt well to head home the first goal of the game.

 

Whilst the early goal would have eased some nerves from the visitors, they were keen to press home the momentum looking for a second. The Falcons bombed several good chances throughout the first half with the bumpy pitch certainly not helping players settle into a shooting rhythm. Daniel Munilla and Jay Mason were doing a fine job as winning the midfield battle minimising Uni’s opportunities at going forward as they pegged the home side back for the bulk of the half.

 

Oak Flats doubled their lead in the 42^nd minute as Munilla was picked out whilst standing unmarked just outside the box. He managed to set himself before unleashing a rocket past the outstretched Kieren Georgevski.

 

Right on the stroke of half time, the Falcons made it three. Jay Mason whipped in a corner that found Ryan Franks who managed to manoeuvre the ball past several defenders and past the goalkeeper. The Falcons just blew the game wide open.

 

The Falcons held a comfortable 3-0 lead however with news that Coniston was leading Fernhill at half time filtering through, they knew they could not afford any lapses in concentration.

 

Uni were playing for pride and they came out in the second half a lot more determined to make a fist of the game to their credit. University’s desire was rewarded in the 53^rd minute when Doug Woodiwiss managed to run the ball down the right shoulder, passing to Cameron Hanson who struck the ball cleanly past Oak Flats’ Ben Wunsch putting University back into the game at 3-1.

 

A miracle come back from University was quickly dashed as just two minutes later Oak Flats put themselves 4-1 up. Substitute Ross Graham managed to find some space just inside the box before drilling his shot into the corner.

 

The game opened up with University now starting to push numbers forward which in turn allowed the Falcons’ pacey attack to break quickly. Both teams wasted several half chances when perhaps better options were available.

 

University though did get back on the score sheet in the 71^st minute as Scott Mawbey set up Luke McCann who duly took his opportunity with aplomb. Twenty minutes to and Falcons led 4-2. Credit to the Students for taking the game to the Falcons in the second half when they could have easily lied down with nothing more to play for.

 

University had a good chance to set a nervous finish on 82 minutes when they were awarded a freekick in a strong position. The free kick was whipped in and caused a goal mouth scramble that was eventually cleared.

 

On 86 minutes and with the students pressing, the Falcons broke quickly and a Jay Mason cross found Ross Graham at the back post. He managed to head past Georgevski and put the game to bed 5-2.

 

The Falcons saw out time and the win saw them secure their spot in the finals for the first time in eleven years, bringing a roaring celebration from the team as the final whistle was blown.

 

University FC – 2 (Hanson 53’, McCann 71’)

Oak Flats Falcons– 5 (Munilla 15’ 42’, Franks 45’, Graham 55’ 86’)

Saturday the 26^th of August 2017 at Kooloobong Oval 1

University FC – Keiren Georgevski, Ryan Kurtz, Lochlan Ryan, Harry Grollier, Scott Mawbey, Dane Hamilton, Andrew Christie, Craig Hood, Cameron Hanson, Doug Woodiwiss, Luke Vandenberg

Subs – Matthew Sainsbury-Dale, Luke McCann (on for Hood), Alex Purvis (on for Grollier), Alecs Coetzer (on for Hanson), Ben Joyce

Oak Flats Falcons – Benjamin Wunsch, Jay Mason, Alan Warbutoz, Ryan Pitt, Jamie Stevenson, Brenton Lloyd, Jarryd Vinton, Christian Cappetta, Ryan Franks, Chad Keating, Daniel Munilla

Subs – Chris Jarman, Stephen Jovanovski, Christopher Murdzovski (on for Munilla), Ross Graham (on for Keating), Liam Day (on for Cappetta). 

Referee – Atesh Maharaj

Report by Lauren Ferri, on Twitter @Lauren_Ferri

Photo by Noel Wynn