The 2019 Fraternity Club Cup began on Thursday night with seven goals across the two matches at Macedonia Park.

The opening match was a Group C encounter where Corrimal Rangers proved too strong for South Coast United in a 4-0 victory.

The Rangers were ahead after two minutes when Sam Matthews nodded the ball home with Van Elia and Tomoki Wada also getting on the scoresheet before half time.

The only goal of the second period left Elia with a brace and the situation was made worse for United when Oliver Carrasco saw red late in the match.

South Coast United 0 Corrimal Rangers 4 (Sam Matthews 2', Van Elia 20' 42', Wada 35')

 

The next match featured Wollongong United - the winners of the previous three editions of the competition - and Port Kembla in the first match of Group B.

There were a number of new signings on display but apart from that, there was little excitement in the first half with neither goalkeeper seriously troubled.

Port would take the lead six minutes into the second stanza after United goalkeeper Sam Nastic misplaced a clearance straight to Nuno Pires who managed to find the back of the net.

United hit back ten minutes later via a well-taken goal by Zac McLaren, however, the visitors would have the last laugh when Brad Acev was played through on goal before touching the ball around the onrushing Nastic and passing it home with five minutes remaining.

Wollongong United 1 (Zac McLaren 52') Port Kembla 2 (Nuno Pires 42', Brad Acev 65')

 

The second match in Group C was played at Crehan Park on Friday night with a late Jared Fish goal seeing Tarrawanna edge past Cringila 2-1.

The Blueys hit the front late in the first half with a spectacular long-range strike by talisman Ricky Goodchild, a lead the side would take into half time.

Tarrawanna kept the Lions are arm's length for most of the second half but were unable to kill off the match and with seven minutes remaining Anthony Romeo's strike took a wicked deflection to level the match.

The game seemed destined for a draw but with nearly the last touch of the match, Fish got on the end of a Goodchild cross from the right to flick the ball past Nikola Ristevski and into the net.

The three points leave Tarrawanna in second place in Group C, behind the Rangers on goal difference.

Cringila Lions 1 (Anthony Romeo 63’) Tarrawanna Blueys 2 (Ricky Goodchild 28’, Jared Fish 70’)

 

There were a couple of shock results on Sunday including the midday Group A clash at Unanderra Oval where Fernhill trumped last season's Premier League champions Bulli 1-0.

Matt Bailey's side has been ripped apart over the summer with six players departing from the starting eleven of last year's grand final, not to mention Ben McDonald being on the sideline through injury.

The changeup was noticeable with Bulli lacking polish despite having the lion's share of possession, though they could have had the advantage at the break had it not been for a couple of solid stops from Foxes goaltender Alex Josipovic.

Fernhill hit the front ten minutes into the second half when Jack Lombo's sketchy shot managed to wobble into the back of the net.

The young Foxes managed to keep Bulli at bay for the remainder to secure the unexpected win.

Bulli 0 Fernhill Foxes 1 (Jack Lombo 45’)

 

The final match at Unanderra was also in Group A with a single Wollongong Olympic goal enough to see them down an undermanned and newly promoted Coniston.

Olympic's goal came 21 minutes into the match when the ball was punched straight to Vaughan Patterson inside the area who slammed it past the outstretched Blake Coad.

Hayden Durose made a strong goalie save early in the second half for the 2018 Bert Bampton Cup winners as they worked away for the second goal which never came.

Wollongong Olympic 1 (Vaughan Patterson 21’) Coniston - 0

 

The only Premier League clash at Barrack Heights Sportsfield on Sunday afternoon came in Group B with Woonona upsetting the Albion Park White Eagles 2-1.

The Sharks scooted out to an early two-goal lead with new recruit Jesse French netting a brace for Dan McGoldrick's side.

Cameron Morgan pulled a goal back from the penalty mark before halftime but the scoreboard wasn't troubled in the second half allowing Woonona to go joint top of Group B.

Albion Park White Eagles 1 (Cameron Morgan 26’ PEN) Woonona Sharks 2 (Jesse French 11’ 20’)

 

* Note the Fraternity Club Cup group stage is 35 minutes halves with unlimited interchange

Click here to view results, fixtures and group standings

Review and photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela