Warilla have advanced to the major semi-final against Coniston next week with an impressive 3-1 win over second placed Bellambi in the first round of the WGC Cranes District League finals series at King Mickey Park. Tor Preece put the Rosella’s ahead right before half-time but three goals in the space of 10 minutes in the second half to the Wanderers ensured they wouldn’t be going into the elimination final.

The two teams met twice previously this year and it was Bellambi coming out winners on both occasions, 9-0 in round one and 3-1 in round 12. The Wanderers were coming off a hot-win streak of six games leading up to the clash. Whereas for Bellambi, they were looking to get back on-track after their late loss to Thirroul last week.

Bellambi started stronger between the two sides and in the eighth minute a scramble in the box following a Bellambi corner was failed to be properly cleared by the Wanderers. Matt Passlack picked the ball up and surged forward through a crowded area but only saw his shot roll wide of the post.

Although Bellambi had control in the early stages, Warilla started to find their feet and launched a couple attacks of their own in the 17^th and 19^th minutes. Firstly, a corner whipped in by Javier Ovando landed perfectly on the head of Brenton Geribo at the far post. Although the striker couldn’t aim in his header on target as it bounced wide. The next chance fell for Jesse French after a long ball from Aden Wade in the midfield. French’s low driven shot came out as a cross but lacked a finish from Warilla’s front-men.

Warilla continued their dominance as the game went on. Wade delivered a ball over to Geribo on the edge of the box but the strikers finish was blocked by the sliding leg of Matt Richardson. In the 33^rd minute, a surging run forward from Jeremy Lopez was met with a driven shot across the face of goal, only for it to roll wide.

Although on the back foot for most of the first half, Bellambi went ahead only four minutes before half-time. Richardson’s free-kick 30 yards from goal was whipped in with pace and almost snuck in under the crossbar. Instead, the ball slammed the crossbar and it was on the rebound that Tor Preece would head it into the back of the net. A shock lead for the Rosella’s but a morale booster as the teams went into the sheds.

The Wanderers started the second half similar to how they finished the first. They controlled the game and almost grabbed the equaliser within two minutes. Another deadly Ovando corner found Lopez’ head at the back post. The header bouncing back towards the near post but was headed off the line by Boden Allport.

Tim O’Brien then tried to spark something for the Rosellas when Ilja Prenzoski sent a dangerous low through ball into the box. With the ball finding O’Briens feet, his fake shot got the better of Drew Shaw but couldn’t find the target as he curled his shot wide of the near post.

The game then took a big turn as the clocked ticked over the hour mark. An Ovando corner whipped in into the box saw Geribo out-jump the rest of the back, including Bellambi shot-stopper Nathan Campbell to power a header into the back of the net to give Warilla their equalizer.

Just five minutes after their first, the Wanderers got their second. This time off a bit of Wade magic on the right-hand side bi-line. His slick dribbling saw him get past several defenders before cutting it back to Geribo on the penalty spot. His first time finish finding the bottom corner and Warilla were on top for the first time on the day.

Another five minutes had past again when Warilla had some breathing space with their third goal of the afternoon. Martin Castelli’s free-kick 30 yards from goal looped into the box to an unmarked Wade. His accurate header finding the bottom left, getting the better of Campbell once again.

It was all-out attack for the Rosella’s in the final 10 minutes and Shaw almost gifted them a goal four minutes from time. A surging run in-field from Andy Keep was met with a low cross. Shaw scuffed his attempted clearance and thankfully for Adam Arnott, the ball landed on the roof of the net.

Warilla too strong in the end, securing their first win over Bellambi this season and advancing to the qualifying semi-final.

Bellambi now have to play in the elimination minor semi-final against Helensburgh next week. The Thistle are coming off a tight 2-1 win over Thirroul. The Rosellas looking to bounce back against Thistle who they have beaten twice this season.

Warilla now progress to the major semi-final against Coniston for a spot in the grand-final. Coniston have enjoyed the week off after downing Helensburgh 3-2 in the final game of the season. The Wanderers will be confident in this one after beating the minor-premiers 2-1 in round 19.

 

Saturday 1^st September at King Mickey Park.

Bellambi Rosellas FC: 1 (PREECE 41’)

Warilla Wanderers FC: 3 (GERIBO 60’ 65’, WADE 70’)

 

Line-ups:

Bellambi Rosellas FC: Nathan CAMPBELL, Grant ZANNI, Nathan THOMPSON, Tor PREECE, Matt RICHARDSON, Matt PASSLACK, Tim O’BRIEN, Boden ALLPORT, Scott MARTIN, Ilja PRENZOSKI, Andy KEEP.

Subs: Chris CEVININI (MARTIN 69’), Sean POULTON, Michael ROGERSON (PASSLACK 81’).

 

Warilla Wanderers FC: Adam ARNOTT, Nathan PEGLER, Drew SHAW, Mark MARINELLI, Jason GOLDSMITH, Martin CASTELLI, Jeremy LOPEZ, Aden WADE, Brenton GERIBO, Javier OVANDO, Jesse FRENCH.

Subs: Jordan NOLAN (WADE 83’), Rhys MARSH (FRENCH 76’), Stewart ROBERTSON, Adam WHITE, Blake PUSELL.

 

Referee: Andrew NAYLOR

Assistant Referees: Damien DENNELLY and Ethan ZVARGULIUS.

Sideline Referee: Nick RYAN.

 

Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

Photos by Noel Wynn.