The Bert Bampton Cup for 2018 kicked off on Saturday with three First Round clashes and a Second Round battle between Thirroul and Helensburgh.

In the first match on Saturday, Shell Cove took on the Kiama Quarriers at Barrack Heights Sports Field for a spot in the Second Round. It was the Cove that got off to a strong start, with Diego Rodrigues netting a brace after just 13 minutes. Chris Christodoulou would pull one back for the Quarriers in the 36^th minute, but a goal from Mathew Guido in the 44^th minute ensured Shell Cove would have a 3-1 lead going into the break.

The second half saw a much closer match and with Shell Cove reduced to 10-men following the send-off of Alexander Doyle, Kiama got themselves back in the match on 73 minutes thanks to a goal from Chris Hill. It wasn’t enough for the Quarriers as Shell Cove saw out the game winning 3-2 and progressing through to the second round where they face Warilla.

Over at JJ Kelly Park, Coniston took on Bellambi and it was the host side who kicked things off in a positive fashion, with Cameron Solevski putting Coniston on the board in the 13^th minute. Hiroaki Kohinoki would double Coniston’s advantage a minute before the break, with the forward converting a penalty to put his side 2-0 up, but a goal from Matt Wallace in the final seconds of the first half ensured that Bellambi would enter the break only a goal behind.

Despite attacks from both sides in the second half, neither side was able to find a breakthrough goal. Coniston had their task made harder when Kohei Enokido was sent off 10 minutes from full-time, but the hosts managed to hold off the visitors and secure a 2-1 win and a spot in the next round.

The final First Round clash on Saturday saw Unanderra Hearts take on Berkeley Sports at Unanderra Oval and it was the hosts who made the most of an even first half, with Chris Murdzevski converting from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time to ensure that Hearts would hold a slim 1-0 lead at the break.

However, Berkeley would find their way back into the match thanks to a wonderful strike from distance by substitute Digvijay Shekhawat in the 77^th minute before pulling ahead nine minutes later thanks to a goal from Greg Moon to put the visitors 2-1 up with minutes to play. Despite throwing everything at the Berkeley defence, the visitors held firm to secure a spot in the next round, running out 2-1 winners.

The final First Round match between Balgownie Rangers and University is still to play, with the match scheduled for Monday 2 April at Judy Masters Oval.

Saturday also saw a Second Round clash take place, with Thirroul Thunder taking on Helensburgh Thistle at Thomas Gibson Park. Helensburgh Thistle continued their good early season form, with Luke van Zyl netting after just six minutes, before Luke Wyatt made it 2-0 after 20 to give the Thistle a handy lead. Ethan Grinham would add Helensburgh’s third in the 29^th minute before van Zyl would add his second of the match seven minutes later to ensure Helensburgh would enter the half-time break a comfortable 4-0 up.

Thirroul’s day would get even harder when van Zyl completed his hat-trick in the 50^th minute, before a goal from Brad Watts in the 65^th minute completed the rout for the Thistle, advancing to the next round with a dominant 6-0 win.

Second Round Draw

Coniston vs Warilla Wanderers at JJ Kelly Park, Sunday 15 April

Oak Flats Falcons vs Shell Cove at Keith Bond Oval, Sunday 15 April

(Winner of Balgownie vs University) vs Berkeley Sports at TBA, Sunday 15 April

*Helensburgh already through to the Third Round.

Click here for confirmed results, group standings and upcoming fixtures.

  

Report by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt