Warilla have advanced to the WGC Cranes District League Grand Final for the third consecutive year after a 2-1 win over title-winners Coniston at Macedonia Park on Saturday. Coniston were quick off the blocks as they hit the lead in the seventh minute through Mark Picciolini before a brace from the Wanderers Jesse French sealed the game in the last 10 minutes of the first half.

This first vs third clash was set to be a tight one with a win each during the regular campaign. Coniston winning 3-1 in round eight and Warilla securing a 2-1 victory in round 19. Both sides were coming off wins in their previous matches as they were looking to progress straight to the big day in two weeks.

The game started with great intensity from both sides. The first chance for Coniston came in the sixth minute when a Luke Picciolini corner was met with the head of the league’s top goal scorer, Dinko Terzic. But his effort landed comfortably in the hands of Adam Arnott.

Despite a see-saw in possession within the opening exchanges, Coniston broke through the deep Warilla defensive-line thanks to a nice threaded through ball from Bradley Moreira. The midfielders cut out pass finding the run of Mark Picciolini in the box before a touch onto his right and a finish back towards the far post found the back of the net. An explosive start to the title-holders continuing on their form after the week off.

After the goal, there was a brief period of attacking plays from the Wanderers who controlled the ball for the next 10 minutes. Firstly, a clearance from the back line gave the chance for Jesse French to run onto goal. The wingers’ low shot was deflected and brought in by Coniston goalkeeper, Ben McGinnes. Just two minutes later, a deadly corner delivered into the near post by Jeremy Lopez found the head of captain, Martin Castelli. His header almost sneaking in but only catching the side netting.

In another turn of possession in the game, Coniston took control once again. L. Picciolini’s cross from the left wing fell to Terzic on the penalty-spot. The striker’s looping header saved by Arnott. Minutes later, L. Picciolini was in the midst of the attack again, this time with a shot from the corner of the 18-yard box floating just wide of the far post.

The game then took a wicked turn within the final ten minutes of the half. A clearance from the Warilla backline by Nathan Pegler found the run of French on the right wing. With little support, Frenchs’ surging run into Coniston’s defensive third saw him beat several defenders on the cutback. Running back infield along the 18-yard box, his left footed shot looked to have been scuffed but to everyone’s surprise, the ball snuck in at the near post to give the Wanderers their equaliser.

It seemed to be Frenchs’ day as he grabbed his brace in the 44^th minute. A quick counter attack caught the Coniston defence out as Jordan Nolan found himself with the ball up the sideline. Nolan’s accurate cross landed perfectly on the head of French who headed his effort went in off the crossbar. A quick turn-around to give Warilla the lead right on half time.

The start to the second half was quite like the first. Coniston pushed forward almost immediately after making two attacking substitutions at the break. M. Picciolini received the ball just inside the Wanderers half as he drove forward on goal. Weaving in and out of several players, space opened up for a shot, but the slick moves couldn’t be met with a better finish as the attempt blazed across the face of goal.

The middle period of the half was a lot quieter from the first 45 as neither side dominated possession or play. The next real opportunity not coming until the 65^th minute for the Wanderers. Brenton Geribo sent a through ball to the angled run of Lopez on goal, the shot aiming for the near post would be saved on the stretch from McGinnes.

In the 72^nd minute, M. Picciolini linked up with Terzic to send the striker through on goal. A cover tackle from Pegler pressured the strikers shot before a low save from Arnott denied Coniston their equaliser.

Although the Wanderers sat back for most of the half, their best chance came in the 76^th minute off a Lopez corner. The ball was whipped in towards the back post and met by the head of Geribo. Thankfully for Consiton, L. Picciolini was in the right spot at the right time, clearing the attempt off the goal line at the back post.

The last 10 minutes was dominated by Coniston, looking to grab their equaliser. Warilla were comfortable in sitting back and defending but with three minutes remaining, M. Picciolini had the golden chance to force the game into extra time. With some neat passing around the edge of the area, Franc Pierro was able to slip him through on goal. The strikers first touch was good but his finish flew over the crossbar.

Coniston were unable to break the Wanderers backline within the last few minutes and Warilla came out with a hard-fought 2-1 win to progress to the 2018 Grand Final.

Coniston now face Bellambi next week to see who will face Warilla in the final. Bellambi are coming off a late 2-1 win over Helensburgh in the other game this weekend. Coniston have beaten the Rosellas once this season with the other match ending in a 1-1 draw.

For Warilla, they recieve a well-deserved week off following the win and will verse the winner out of Coniston and Bellambi next week.

In the earlier games, Thirroul beat Warilla Wanderers 4-2 in Reserve Grade to progress through to the Grand Final and in Youth Grade Helensburgh are going to WIN Stadium following their 2-1 win over Coniston.

 

Saturday 8^th September at Macedonia Park.

Coniston FC: 1 (M. PICCIOLINI 7’)

Warilla Wanderers FC: 2 (FRENCH 36’ 44’)

 

Line-ups:

Coniston FC: Ben MCGINNES, Kohei ENOKIDO, Takayuki KAYANO, Christian PLAKIAS, Hiroki KOHINOKI, Franc PIERRO, Dinko TERZIC, Mark PICCIOLINI, Luke PICCIOLINI, Bradley MOREIRA, Matthew CUDA.

Subs: Ryan VANDENBERG (ENOKIDO 59’), Christopher STEVANOVSKI (PLAKIAS 45’), Lachlan MARTIN (MOREIRA 45’), Valon RIZVANI, Conno O’NIELL.

 

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

Subs: Stewart ROBERSTON, Rhys MARSH (OVANDO 86’), Toni ANASTOVSKI (FRENCH 90’), Blake PUSSELL.

 

Referee: Blake HERBERT

Assistant Referees: Mick AGIM and Jackson AGIM.

Sideline Referee: Jarrod THOMPSON.

 

Report by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

Photo courtesy of Kiah Hufton