On Saturday, Helensburgh Thistle (5th) faced Oak Flats Falcons (6th) in the WCG Cranes District League Elimination Final at Ray Robinson Oval. In which the winner would face the loser of the Qualifying final. Helensburgh had already beaten Oak Flats twice this season. Their first match saw the Thistle run riot putting 5 past the Falcons, the second match was closer however it still saw the Helensburgh side score 4 goals in a 4-2 victory. But Finals Football can be a very different game with teams playing above their usual standard with everything on the line.

Helensburgh started the stronger of the two sides, they had a real purpose going forward. Cody Cuthbertson dominated the game early with his pace and a real hunger to be the first one to pounce on the loose ball. But Oak Flats would fight back through their own number 11, Daniel Monilla, who worked hard all game for his team.

A purposeful attack saw Helensburgh have the first shot of the match but it was sent high and wide by Naruyuki Kato. The Thistle attack was looking strong going forward. Some dismal calls for a penalty were waved away after Brad Watts fell over in the box.

After the few half chances of Helensburgh, the game fell into a stalemate. Both teams began to cough up the ball and neither side could pile and build pressure on one another.

15 minutes later Helensburgh launched a fantastic counter which saw Kei Mitani burn past the Falcons defence and face the Oak Flats keeper one on one. But Benjamin Wunsch would not let his team down producing a magnificent save, smothering the ball before Mitani could pull the trigger.

Helensburgh looked certain to score eventually, dominating the shot count but they just couldn’t find the target. The captain, Luke Wyatt was next to tee up but his shot from a tight angle just squeezed past the outside of the upright.

It was then Oak Flats who had a golden chance but they were denied after Braiden Gilbert punched the ball off the head of Ross Graham, who was just about to flick the header towards goal.

But it was the centre back, Blake Charman, who broke the deadlock with just 9 minutes left in the half. Oak Flats failed to clear a ball off a dangerous looking corner, a scramble and a failed clearance dropped the ball at Charman’s feet who had no issue smashing the ball in from close range into the roof of the net. An absolutely unstoppable shot for his first ever First-grade goal.

Oak Flats reacted quickly to the breakthrough but they missed a golden opportunity to level the scores almost immediately. A corner which this time Helensburgh failed to clear saw Monilla gifted a free header with the keeper well out of position. But he misjudged the soaring ball, heading it wide of the goals. a Hands in head moment for the Falcons who really could have used that going into half time.

Half Time

Helensburgh 1-0 Oak Flats

Oak Flats started the second half with a simple game plan. Put the ball into the back of the net as quickly as possible. Jay Mason attempted a shot which bounced just before Gilbert, causing him to fumble the ball before diving on it. Oak Flats had the Thistle on the back foot for the first 15 minutes of the second half. With the Falcons looking most likely to score next, Ryan Grima was given a yellow for denying a promising attack. Oak Flats failed to seize on their mounting possession, however, unable to breakdown the rock hard defence of Helensburgh.

Soon the second half began to turn around, Wyatt showed his class, dominating the midfield like he had done all year. He would then get his reward. An attempted clearance of another corner dropped to the captain’s feet, who struck a sweet half volley from just outside the area. The shot nut-megged Wunsch who had his view blocked by the crowd of players in front of him. Wyatt then ran to his teammate and coach Brad Boardman in celebration. A fantastic display of passion and respect by the Helensburgh side, with Oak Flats depleted by their own hand.

In the 85th minute, the Thistle would truly secure it. Mitani who had been truly influential in the win scored Helensburgh’s final goal, stamping their way into the qualifying final.

Listen to Brad Boardman’s reaction to his side’s impressive win in the link below. https://soundcloud.com/liam-emerton/fsc-interview-helensburgh-coach-brad-boardman

 

Final Score

Helensburgh Thistle 3-0 Oak Flats Falcons

 

Helensburgh Thistle

B.Gilbert, R.Grima, J.Falkiner, B.Charman, K.Okamoto, L.Wyatt, L.Van Zyl, K.Mitani, B.Watts, N.Kato, C.Cuthbertson.

Replacements

D.Mcdonald, R.Rowley, E.Van Zyl, L.Falkiner, M.Wardle, B.Boardman.

 

Oak Flats Falcons

B.Wunsch, J.Mason, S.Jovanovski, R.Pitt, J.Stevenson, B.Lloyd, J.Vinton, C.Coppetta, R.Franks, R.Graham, D.Monilla.

Replacements

C.Jarman, J.Eagleta, A.Warburton, C.Murdzevski, M.Wilson.

 

Referee: Peter Ilcevski

Assistant Referees: John Rusica, Reece Edwards

4^th Official: Blake Herbert

 

Report by Liam Emerton, On Twitter as @LiamEmerton

Photo Courtesy of Noel Wynn