Corrimal Rangers ensured Fernhill finished bottom of the Illawarra Premier League after a clinical 6-0 win at Ray Robinson Field. A hat-trick to Tim Wylie and a double to Van Elia were some of the highlights for Corrimal, after a clinical display.

This result ensures that Corrimal finish third, meaning that they will play Albion Park White Eagles in the major semi-final next weekend. Fernhill, on the other hand managed just one win since round 9 and only nit the net 7 times since. It has been a season to forget for the Foxes who surprised many last year in their first season since promotion.

Despite Fernhill being a chance to avoid bottom spot with a win, from the first whistle, Corrimal looked in control. The Rangers’ first chance came in the 8th minute after Lukas Stergiou was able to play the ball into the path of Elia, but Elia’s shot sailed over the bar.

Corrimal had their first goal in the 12th minute, after a wonderful corner from the right-side found the head of Banai Kanaizumi. The central defender rose above the chaos in the box to head the ball into the net and fire Corrimal into the lead.

The Rangers had their second in the 32nd minute, after a brilliant ball from Stergiou found Elia on the run. Elia played the ball to Tomoki Wada, who easily placed the ball into the back of the net.

Elia nearly produced the spectacular minutes later, after he was able to connect with a high ball from Wada on the volley. His volley collided with the left post, and left Fernhill scrambling.

There was a hint of controversy in the 37th minute, after Fernhill’s Alex Rooke was taken down in the Corrimal box on the run. The penalty shouts were waved away, despite the alleged foul looking like a clear penalty to some.

Corrimal went into half-time in control, and Fernhill were searching for a miracle.

Fernhill started the second-half full of life, after a lacklustre first-half. There was a lot more defensive pressure from their frontline, however this pressure only lasted all but five minutes.

Corrimal regained the ascendency in the 53rd minute when they scored their third goal. Stergiou was able to feed the ball into the path of Wylie, who made no mistake in finishing the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Wylie had his second in the 56th minute after some neat build-up play from the Corrimal midfield, as they began to put Fernhill to the sword.

Fernhill’s day went from bad to worse in the 57th minute when Ben Riach was shown his second-yellow for a foul in the middle of the field, meaning that Fernhill had to fight with ten men for the last half-hour.

Elia had his second of the afternoon in the 79th minute, after a clinical finish where the finished the ball in the bottom-left corner. The game was beginning to look ugly for the Foxes.

Wylie confirmed Fernhill would finish botton in the 83rd minute, when he completed his hat-trick and scored Corrimal’s sixth of the afternoon. He neatly finished the ball into the bottom-left corner, and inflicted more misery for the Foxes.

Corrimal were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute after Van Elia was fouled in the box. Bryce Daenell was able to save Elia’s penalty, with a brilliant reflex save but sadly that was as good as it got for the Foxes.

This would be the last real chance of the match, as Corrimal made light work of Fernhill.

Corrimal will be full of confidence going into their major semi-final against Albion Park White Eagles next weekend, whilst the Foxes will be left wondering where it all went wrong in 2019.

Semi Final dates and times are yet to be announced. Be sure to follow Football South Coast Match Centre on Facebook and @FSC_Official on Twitter for updates.

Sunday 25th August, 2019 @ 2:30pm

Fernhill Foxes vs Corrimal Rangers

Ray Robinson Field

 

Line-Ups

FERNHILL FOXES: Bryce DAENELL, Rob WATSON, Alex ROOKE, Jordan HUGHES, Kurt FOULGER, Rhys WILSON, Dean MOROSIN, Shinsei TANAKA, Tatsanori NAKAGAWA, Yogi OGAWA, Ben RIACH

Substitutes: Alex JOSIPOVIC, Blake FRIEDRICH, Matt DONNELLY, Ryan HUNTER, Daniel MALOUF

 

CORRIMAL RANGERS: Nic LOE, Dean PENDER, Jason ZUFIC, Alvin CECCOLI, Ben ZUCCO, Banai KANAIZUNI, Lukas STERGIOU, Tomoki WADA, Sam MATTHEWS, Van ELIA, Tim WYLIE

Substitutes: Matthew GALANTI, Daniel CARENNO, Peter KYRIAKOUDES, David ZUFIC

 

Report by Jarrod Pollard