BBC Quarter Final Review

The Bert Bampton Cup Quarter Finals kicked off on Monday with eight remaining teams still left in the competition. With Tarrawanna hosting Coniston on Monday, District League leaders Bellambi travelled to Premier League reigning champions Bulli on Wednesday night in a scintillating contest. Another block-buster clash was on the line when top two Premier League sides, Corrimal and Wollongong Olympic took on one another at Memorial Park and Port Kembla hosted in-form side Woonona who were coming off four-straight wins. Each game posing chances to be interesting encounters as teams looked to book their spot into the final four.

Monday 10 June

Tarrawanna Blueys vs Coniston FC at Tarrawanna Oval

Tarrawanna Oval hosted the only action of the Queen’s birthday public holiday on the Monday as Tarrawanna took on Coniston. Tarrawanna were coming off a shock loss to South Coast United on Saturday night in which they went down, 3-2. Whereas for Coniston, some wet-weather prevented them from playing their round 12 fixture against Wollongong United. Coniston have gotten the better of their opponents already this season when they won 3-2 back in round eight.

Tarrawanna started the match with eight players backing up from Saturday night with the inclusion of young-gun Nicolas Tomasiello starting at striker for the Blueys. Coniston players had plenty of fresh legs following the missed game that weekend and were almost at full-strength too with the inclusion of new-signing Dashaun Youlley making his debut for the club.

But it was Tarrawanna coming across as 3-0 victors in this one as they cruised to a comfortable win. It was a day to remember for Tomasiello with the young forward scoring his first top-grade goal which saw the Blueys lead at the break. Plenty of half-chances from Coniston weren’t worrying the Tarrawanna defence as Mitchell Ferraro scored from the left wing before a Rick Goodchild volley in the 62^nd all but sealed the game. Substitute, Jimmy Stewart looked the most likely to create something for the visitors with a few of his shots just rising over the crossbar in the final half-hour. Tarrawanna were the first team to book themselves a spot in the semi-finals.

Wednesday 12 June

Bulli FC vs Bellambi Rosellas at Balls Paddock

With a potential game of the round in play, a healthy crowd got around the last District League side Bellambi as they took on Bulli. Bellambi continued their unbeaten season as they accounted for Warilla, 2-0 on the Saturday. Whereas for Bulli, they fell to now second placed Corrimal by the same score-line at Memorial Park on Sunday.

The hosts only changed a couple names on the team-sheet as Yuya Kawata and Kyle Hazelbrook taking the night off to be replaced by Ben McGinnes in goal and Luke Foster into the backline. Bellambi also shifted a few players around but captain, Tor Preece led the Rosellas out with even the inclusion of Scott Chipperfield on the bench.

The game didn’t disappoint however as a close contest saw the Premier League champions run-out 2-1 winners in a very tight and intense game. The hosts fired out to an early two-goal lead as Aaron Baker found the net with his chipped shot from the right in just the 14^th minute. Then, in the 25^th minute Ryan Emerton picked up his second BBC goal with his shot into the bottom left from range. But a spirited Rosellas outfit pulled one back in the 59^th minute when Ben Ellul slammed his shot into the roof of the net sparking a possible comeback from the visitors. But a strong defensive performance from Bulli helped them see past Bellambi to advance to the final four.

Port Kembla FC vs Woonona Sharks at Wetherall Park

Another interesting match-up was in the cards as Port Kembla were looking to leave that 6-1 loss to Albion Park behind them as they took on an in-form Woonona Sharks outfit. Port Kembla were going into the match having suffered their third defeat in four games where Woonona were coming off a 3-1 win over Fernhill at Ocean Park on Sunday. The Sharks have already received bragging rights over the Zebras this season when they won 2-0 at Wetherall Park in round three.

It was a rotated line-up for the hosts following their round 12 fixture as only five players backed up from the loss. Sandy Lowcock and Brad Acev amongst two of the names not to start but the inclusion of powerhouse midfielder, Luke Boersma adding to the line-up. Woonona were in a similar position with only four of their players in the starting 11 backing up following the win on Sunday with their top goal-scorer for the campaign, Corey Haines-Grose one of those few players.

Although, it was Port Kembla who gained a bit of a confidence boost before they match-up with Corrimal this weekend when they ran out as 2-0 winners. With the deadlock yet to be broken at the break, Aden Wade poked the home-side in front from close range in the 57^th minute before Jayden Salucci added another 15 minutes later to all but ensure a semi-final spot for Post Kembla.

Corrimal Rangers FC vs Wollongong Olympic at Memorial Park

The final game of the quarter-finals was probably shaping up to be the biggest of the lot as first placed Olympic travelled to second placed Corrimal. The sides had a very different round 12 as 10-man Corrimal edged past Bulli and Wollongong Olympic were on the wrong side of Stuart Beedie’s turn-around of Cringila in which they lost 2-0. The sides last encounter was in round 4 where Corrimal took out a 1-0 win.

A few changes were made from the home-side but their starting line-up did include a few star players with Tomoki Wada and Premier League top goal-scorer Van Elia both backing up from Sunday. Whereas for Wollongong Olympic, it was a similar starting team from the Cringila game, however, star forwards, Yusuke Ueda and John Martinovski both taking a shirt on the bench.

There was no repeat from the previous encounter as Olympic grabbed a 2-0 win. A very even first half couldn’t see either defensive line broken as the teams went into the sheds at 0-0. But Martinovski came off the bench for the second half and inspired his team with a goal in the 59^th minute before a Jamie Wakeling strike doubled the visitors advantage inside the final 15. Keeping Olympics chances of the double alive.

The Youth Cup results were:

Tarrawanna Blueys 2-0 Coniston FC, Bulli FC 1-4 Wollongong United, Port Kembla 0-1 Balgownie Rangers, Helensburgh Thistle, 4-3 Fernhill FC.

The semi-final is set to be released on Monday with the games to be played in mid-July.

Review by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

Photo courtesy of JC Sports Photography