The District League half of the 2019 Fraternity Club Cup started on Friday with a Group E clash at Crehan Park where winners of last year’s competition, Helensburgh Thistle prevailed with a resounding 3-0 win against last year’s District League grand finalists Warilla Wanderers.

After a goalless first half, the scoring was opened in the 46th minute with Luke van Zyl dispatching a penalty to give Helensburgh the lead.

Just before the hour mark, the lead was doubled courtesy of a Cody Cuthbertson goal.

The game was sealed four minutes later when Adam Thompson added a third.

Warilla prevailed on both occasions in last season’s District League competition, such a resounding victory for Helensburgh could suggest a strong finish from the Thistle this season.

Helensburgh Thistle 3 (Luke van Zyl 46’ PEN, Cody Cuthbertson 57’, Adam Thompson 61’) Warilla Wanderers 0

 

Bellambi’s 3-1 victory over Berkeley in Group F kicked off Sunday’s games with last season’s Neville Arrowsmith winner Tim O’Brien getting Bellambi off to a great start scoring 22 minutes in.

This was followed up by a Christian Cervini goal before Greg Moon pulled one back for Berkeley.

In the 60th minute, Matt Pasluck restored the Rosella’s two-goal advantage and sealed the result.

To add to Berkeley’s misery, Hugo Coronel was sent off for committing two yellow cards offences.

Another interesting fact about this match was the return of Socceroos icon Scott Chipperfield who last played for Bellambi in the mid-1990s.

Berkeley Sports 1 (Greg Moon 41’) Bellambi Rosellas 3 (Tim O’Brien 22’, Christian Cervini 38’, Matt Passluck 60’)

 

Also on Sunday, it was the battle of the Rangers in Group D as Balgownie edged past Premier League relegated Picton thanks to Jim Youseff’s delicate chip over Robert Cruikshank midway through the first half.

Picton responded in the second period by forcing Balgownie keeper Hugh Bahnert into some important saves but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Balgownie Rangers 1 (Jim Youseff 25’) Picton Rangers 0

 

Thirroul defeated University in a five-goal thriller winning 3-2 at Barrack Heights Sportsfield in Group E on Sunday.

Thirroul's Ryan Latini opened the scoring in the 27th minute before doubling his and Thirroul’s tally seven minutes later.

Just before the break, Alex Coetzer pulled one back for University and in the 42nd minute, Tom Goodier tucked away the Thunder’s third and in the 64th minute.

Conor O’Brien halved Thirroul’s lead once again but University were unable to restore parity.

Thirroul Thunder 3 (Ryan Latini 27’, 34’, Tom Goodier 42’) University 2 (Alex Coetzer 35’, Conor O’Brien 64’)

 

In the other match at Barrack Heights Sportsfield this time in Group D, Shell Cove and Oak Flats played out a stalemate with neither side being able to make the breakthrough.

Shell Cove only managed to keep three clean sheets last season but shutting out an Oak Flats side who were fighting for finals last year could mean a potential place further up the table this time around.

Shell Cove 0 Oak Flats Falcons 0

 

After finishing bottom last year, Unanderra got their Fraternity Club Cup off to a flyer by defeating Kiama 4-1.

Nick Tortorella scored Unanderra’s first in the 11th minute before their lead was cancelled out by Chris Christodoulou's finish two minutes later.

In the 25th minute, Tortorella scored his second of the game and the Hearts added two more goals to their tally in the second half with Chris Stefanoski and a Daniel Saverino getting on the scoresheet.

Unanderra failed to score more than three goals in a single match in the entirety of last season, could this be the start of something promising for the Hearts going into the 2019 season?

Unanderra Hearts 4 (Nick Tortorella 11’, 25’, Chris Stefanoski 57’, Daniel Saverino 68’) Kiama Quarriers 1 (Christ Christodoulou 13’)

 

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

Click here to view results, fixtures and group standings

Review by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

Photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela