Finals football is well and truly alive in the Peoplecare District League, as Thirroul triumphed over the Unanderra Hearts at Macedonia Park, with the score finishing 3-2. Substitute Joshua Bond snatched victory at the death for the Thunder, meaning that they will face Helensburgh Thistle in another elimination final next weekend. To their credit, both sides provided those in attendance with an extremely entertaining match

It was an even start to the match, with both sides looking to assert their dominance early.

The first chance of the match came in the 7th minute, when Thirroul’s Angus Nicol unleashed a shot inside the box, which was fantastically saved by Jake De Jesus.

In the 14th minute, Dominic Magill and David Polidoro combined to feed the ball into the path of Brad Burleigh inside the box, but Burleigh somehow missed the target.

After early dominance from Unanderra, the match turned into an arm-wrestle, with players from both sides looking to assert themselves.

Thirroul hit the lead in the 40th minute after a wonderful cross from Nathan Mucci on the right-wing found the head of Robert Gyngell in the box. Gyngell’s header bounced off the bar and into the net.

Tensions were high as the half-time whistle blew, with several altercations between the two sides on their way to the sheds.

Mark Picciolini was dismissed in the 48th minute after his second yellow card of the match, meaning Unanderra’s backs were against the wall.

Just two minutes later, Burleigh found an equaliser for the Hearts. A wonderful free kick from Luke Bussoletti found Burleigh’s head inside the Thirroul penalty area, and Burleigh ensured that the ball found the back of the net.

In the 59th minute, the red card was brought out again, but this time it was shown towards the Unanderra technical area.

Both sides were extremely physical in defence, with the game almost boiling over during several periods of play.

To Unanderra’s credit, they held their own despite playing the majority of the second half with 10 men.

Thirroul looked to inject some life into their attack, with Joshua Bond coming on as a substitute.

The match looked certain to go to extra-time, however Thirroul nearly found a winner in the 92nd minute. Joshua Hutton was able to unleash a shot from inside the Unanderra penalty area, but De Jesus was up to task and produced a brilliant save for the Hearts.

This would be the final chance of regular time, with the match destined for extra-time.

Unanderra took the lead in the 95th minute, after captain Christian Plakias was able to execute a brilliant long ball which found Damian Jorge. Jorge was able to control and finish the ball into the back of the net, giving the Hearts an unlikely lead.

Thirroul needed a goal and threw everything they had at the Hearts’ defence. The Hearts had their backs against the wall and continued to fend away a barrage of Thirroul attacks until half-time in extra-time.

Disaster struck for the Hearts in the 113th minute, after a high ball struck the hand of Steven Draper inside the Unanderra penalty box. Hutton calmly finished the penalty and levelled the match.

Both teams continued to fight with their seasons on the line, however Thirroul continued to dominate possession because of their one-man advantage.

Thirroul snatched a winner at the death through substitute Bond. In the 124th minute, Bond was able to smash the ball home and into the back of the net, after a defensive scramble off a corner.

Out of 125 minutes, Thirroul led for just one minute, but it was the only minute that mattered.

The full-time whistle blew, and Thirroul had snatched victory at the death.

Unanderra finished their season in heartbreaking fashion, but they must be praised for their significant improvement in 2019.

Thirroul, on the other hand, will look towards next weekend as they take on the Helensburgh Thistle in another elimination final.

 

Saturday 31st August @ 2:30pm

 

Unanderra Hearts - 2

Thirroul Thunder - 3

 

Line Ups

UNANDERRA HEARTS

Jake DE JESUS, Matt CUDA, Benn SALLABANK, Steven DRAPER, Brad BURLEIGH, Christian PLAKIAS, David POLIDORO, Mark PICCIOLINI, Luke BUSSOLETTI, Dominic MAGILL

Substitutes: Save TRENESKI, Damian JORGE, Chris MURDZEVSKI, Steven JOVANOVSKI, Jordan TIMPANO

 

THIRROUL THUNDER

Liam HARRIS, Joel MUCCI, Daniel ARTHUR, James HUTTON, Alan MADDOCK, Joshua HUTTON, Ryan LATINI, Todd DAVIDSON, Robert GYNGELL, Nathan MUCCI, Angus NICCOL

Substitutes: Lachlan DUNN, Joshua BOND, Oscar PRUKS, Jonathon DE LYALL, James TOWNSON

 

Referee: Andrew Naylor

 

Report by Jarrod Pollard

Photo courtesy of Pedro Garcia