On Wednesday night, the semi-finals of the 2018 Fraternity Club Preseason Cup took place with a number of close matches, including the two Premier League ties remaining undecided after 90 minutes.

Beginning with the Premier League matchups, the semi-final at Macedonia Park saw Group B winners Wollongong United take on Group C winners Tarrawanna, with both sides yet to be defeated in the competition. While the opening half saw some excellent free-flowing football from both sides, Wollongong United stepped up in the second half and laid on the pressure, with Tarrawanna keeper Adam Rodriguez forced to make several fantastic saves to keep his side in the contest.

Wollongong United’s Daisuke Yuzawa would have one of the best chances of the match in the 57th minute after his brilliant individual work gave him a one-on-one chance, but his final shot ended up just over the crossbar. Wollongong United fans also thought they had scored in the 77th minute when a shot off a corner flew past Rodriguez, but a stunning goal-line clearance was all that kept Tarrawanna from going behind.

With the match going to penalties, Tarrawanna’s Matthew Naylor handed Wollongong United the advantage when his shot went well over the crossbar. The Blueys would see their Preseason Cup hopes finally finished when Jake Morlando’s shot was saved by United keeper Sam Nastic, handing Wollongong United a 4-2 win on penalties.

The other semi-final saw Bulli take on Port Kembla at JJ Kelly Park in a preseason rematch of last season's Premier League Grand Final. Bulli fielded a markedly youthful side that still managed to take the match to Port Kembla but neither side was able to find a breakthrough in the opening half.

Port Kembla, who were missing their star midfielder Ben Zucco, would step up a gear in the second half and would have one of the best chances of the match, when Jack Lombo was played onto the goal with five minutes remaining, but his final shot left much to be desired and slid to the left of goal.

Nik Miceski had a chance to win the match for Bulli in the last seconds of the match, but his shot from inside the six-yard box was denied by a remarkable reflex save from Port Kembla keeper Brad Jardine, and Blake Hewson’s follow up shot was unable to hit the target, ensuring the match would be decided from the penalty spot.

Port Kembla got off to a bad start in the shootout, with Justin Cario’s effort saved by Yuya Kuwata, allowing Bulli to instantly take the initiative and hold it through the shootout. Lewis Clements would convert the decisive penalty, Jardine managed to get a hand to it but the shot was too powerful, Bulli 5-3 winners on penalties and advancing to face Wollongong United in the final.

Moving across to the District League, the semi-final at Macedonia Park saw newly promoted Shell Cove take on best-placed runner-up Helensburgh. The Thistle started out the stronger side of the two, consistently breaking through the Barbarians defence, but a stellar performance from Shell Cove keeper Nik Ristevski ensured the Thistle were unable to take advantage of their attacking strength.

Helensburgh were finally able to break the deadlock 11 minutes into the second half when Ryan Grima was able to tap home a brilliant through ball from Cody Cuthbertson to give the Thistle the lead. Cuthbertson would double their advantage nine minutes later to put Helensburgh in the driver’s seat for the match. However, the Barbarians would not go quietly and would pull one back in the 73rd minute thanks to a well-drilled shot from Aaron Cimitile.

Helensburgh would have the chance to secure the match when they were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute, but Luke van Zyl’s effort ricocheted off the post. Shell Cove would come agonizingly close to netting an equalizer in the dying moments, being denied by the post twice, but the Thistle held on to book their ticket to the final, winning 2-1.

The other District League semi-final saw Coniston take on Balgownie at JJ Kelly Park and it was Coniston who started the brighter of the two sides, with Lachlan Martin netting for the hosts after 15 minutes, before Chris Stefanofski would ensure Coniston headed into the break with a handy 2-0 lead with a goal seven minutes from half-time.

Stefanofski notched his second within a minute of the restart putting Coniston all but through to Sunday's decider. The hosts could have had more, with Dinko Terzic being denied twice, first by a fantastic scrambling save by Rangers keeper Hugh Bahwert from point-blank range and second, by the crossbar after a wonderful volley from 25 yards out. Balgownie would struggle to work their way into the match, only having one real chance in the 80th minute, but a strong save from Coniston keeper Ben McGinness ensured Coniston would run out 3-0 winners.

Final Draw – Both matches at Memorial Park on Sunday 11 March

District League

Helensburgh vs Coniston – 10:30am

Premier League 

Bulli vs Wollongong United – 12:30pm
  
Report by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt