The second round of the Bert Bampton Cup for 2018 saw eight District League sides face off for a spot in the final 16 and a chance to face off against some of the Premier League’s best.

Helensburgh had previously booked their passage to the Round of 16 back on March 17 when they demolished Thirroul 6-0 at Rex Jackson Oval, with a hat-trick to Luke van Zyl and goals from Luke Wyatt, Ethan Grinham and Brad Watts completing the rout.

Two more second round matches would be played on Sunday 15 April as Coniston took on Warilla Wanderers at King Mickey Park and Balgownie Rangers faced Berkeley Sports at Judy Masters Oval.

Beginning with the matchup at Judy Masters Oval, Balgownie took on Berkeley Sports with the visitors hoping to advance to the final 16 for the first time since 2015, while Balgownie was looking to carry their strong start to the District League season into the cup. Both sides had worked their way into the second round, with Berkeley leaving it late to down a determined Unanderra Hearts outfit 2-1 and the Rangers moving through with ease after demolishing University 6-0.

But Balgownie found themselves on the back-foot quickly, with Berkeley taking the lead in the 16^th minute thanks to a goal from Corey Butcher. Berkeley would find themselves netting once again in the 36^th minute through Dylan Evans to give them a handy 2-0 lead at the break and one foot in the next round.

But the Rangers would fight back, with a Sebastian Dallas goal in the 81^st minute sparking a potential comeback, but Berkeley would kill off the match in the 92^nd minute with a second goal from Corey Butcher, wrapping up a 3-1 win and sending Berkeley into the hat for the next round.

The other match on Sunday between Warilla Wanderers and Coniston took place at King Mickey Park, with Coniston backing up for their third match in a week, having previously faced Bulli in the FFA Cup midweek and Unanderra the day before. But Coniston showed they were still buzzing with energy going into the match, with Bowen Simpson putting the visitors 1-0 up after just three minutes, giving Coniston a lead they would hold going into half-time.

But as the second-half wore on, Warilla found themselves coming back into the match and they were finally rewarded with a leveler in the 72^nd minute when substitute Ryhs Marsh stormed through for an equalizer. The Wanderers would then take the lead four minutes later when another substitute in Aden Wade pushed Warilla in front with a goal of his own. A final goal from Jesse French in the 92^nd minute would seal the match for Warilla, handing them a spot in the round of 16 as handy 3-1 winners.

The final match of the second round saw Oak Flats Falcons take on Shell Cove at Keith Bond Oval on Tuesday night, with both sides hoping to book their ticket to the next stage of the cup with relative ease. In the end, it was Oak Flats who threw their name into the hat for the next round, running out 5-2 winners in a strong performance from an Oak Flats side who will be hoping to replicate their stunning 2017 run, where the Falcons made the semi-finals before their run ended to eventual champions Bulli.

Round of 16 Draw

All games are currently scheduled to be played on Sunday 13 May (subject to change).

Helensburgh Thistle vs Port Kembla at Rex Jackson Oval

Cringila Lions vs Wollongong Olympic at Crehan Park

South Coast United vs Tarrawanna at Ian McLennan Park

Berkeley Sports vs Albion Park White Eagles at Berkeley Sportsground

Corrimal Rangers vs Picton Rangers at Memorial Park

Fernhill vs Warilla Wanderers at Ray Robinson Field

Oak Flats Falcons vs Woonona at Keith Bond Oval

Bulli vs Wollongong United at Balls Paddock

  

Report by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia