Thirroul secured their fourth premiership in a row with a dramatic victory prevailing on penalties at Crehan Park on Sunday in the Illawarra District League Reserve Grade Grand Final. This was the Thunder’s 6th final in 9 seasons. Thirroul opened the scoring in the 70th minute when Mitchell Jones powered a volley under the keeper from inside the box. Jones’ strike was cancelled out seven minutes from time when a low ball across the box allowed Kyle Tipping to convert from close range. A goalless period of extra time left the prospect of a penalty shootout. Liam Harris was the hero for the Thunder saving three penalties and scoring one of his own.

It was an intense start to the game with both sides looking to get on top of their opponents. Despite this, neither side were able to develop sustained spells of possession in opening five minutes. It took until the seventh minute for either side to make a meaningful contribution to the highlights. A corner on the right-hand side dropped to Aaron Dark whose header didn’t trouble Liam Harris in the Thirroul goal with custodian holding on the strike.

In the 8th minute, a severe injury to Thomas Goodier saw time stop for nearly 30 minutes. The game resumed and straight away Thirroul were on the attack. Some good build-up play saw the ball make its way to the right-hand side. From there, a ball was delivered into the box which met the head of Jonathan Delyall who could only direct the ball wide of the near post. Five minutes later, Thirroul continued their momentum when Lachlan Dunn lined up a shot from range which required Matt Wardle in the Helensburgh goal to get down low and make the save. In the 12th minute, the Thunder had another chance to open the scoring when early substitute Simon Ward made a lung-bursting run down the left-hand side – making his way into the final third. He then delivered a cross to the near post for Matthew Kellond whose header flashed past the far post.

Eighteen minutes in, Thirroul moved into attacking areas once more. This time with a corner on the right-hand side. The ball was stood up into the middle of the box. Lachlan Dunn rose highest heading the ball just over the bar. Two minutes later, Thirroul had yet another opportunity when Jonathon Delyall took aim on the edge of the box with his left-footed strike prompting an important save from Wardle with the Thistle keeper holding the shot.

The 22nd minute saw Helensburgh create their best chance so far when a cross from the left-hand side found Brad Matiuscenko who cannoned a header off the crossbar. Four minutes later, Thirroul also had their best chance of the half so far when Simon Ward found himself face-to-face with Matt Wardle. However, his shot was comfortably saved by Wardle who sent the ball behind for a corner. Another a Thirroul attack saw Jonathon Delyall played through one-on-one on the right-hand side by a piercing Jonathon Tobin through ball. Delyall attempted to loft the ball over the onrushing Matt Wardle. However, his effort dropped just wide of the far post.

The last 15 minutes of the half was a scrappy period of the game with both sides unable to create anything of substance. At the half-time whistle, the deadlock was still yet to be broken.

The first quarter of an hour in the second half saw some end-to-end football, however, both sides were lacking the cutting edge with the final pass going astray on many occasions. In the 61st minute, some Thirroul pressure saw the Thistle relinquish possession in their final third. Matthew Kellond picked up the ball on the edge of the box, cutting inside onto his left-foot, he attempted to curl the ball into the far corner, but a good save from Wardle prevented the shot from hitting the back of the net. Straight from the goal kick, Helensburgh sprung forwards through Adam Coffee who made a strong run down the left-hand side. This run led him into a shooting opportunity, but he was unable to find the target with his left-footed shot.

With 20 minutes to go, the Thunder hit the woodwork. Mitchell Jones made his way down the left-hand side and put in a cross which skimmed off the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick. Moments later, Thirroul finally took the lead. Simon Ward put in a cross from the left-hand side with the defensive header dropping to Mitchell Jones who volleyed the ball under Wardle to send his side into the lead.

With seven minutes to play, Helensburgh restored parity. A ball played into the right-hand channel found Jason Wellings who drilled a ball across the box to super-sub Kyle Tipping who made no mistake from close range. At the end of regular time, the scores were locked at 1-1, meaning the game was destined for extra time.

Extra time saw a similar pattern to regular time with Thirroul creating several openings but failing to find a winner. The game went to penalties. Heading into the fifth penalty for each side, the scores were locked at 2-2. Jonathon Tobin stepped up and confidently sent his effort into the net. It was University’s turn, Kyle Tipping stepped to the spot lashing his effort towards the top corner, but a spectacular save from Liam Harris kept the ball out and with that secured Thirroul’s victory in the Illawarra District League Reserve Grade Grand Final.

 

Saturday 21^st September 2019 @ Crehan Park, Cringila

Man of the Match: Liam Harris

 

Thirroul Thunder – 1 (Jones 70’) (3)

Helensburgh Thistle – 1 (Tipping 83’) (2)

 

Thirroul Thunder: Liam HARRIS, Jeremy HARRISON, Mitchell JONES, James TOWNSON, Adam WARD, Lachlan DUNN, Jonathon DELYALL, Jonathon TOBIN, Oscar PRUKS, Matthew KELLOND, Thomas. GOODIER

Substitutes: Samuel ALLISON (TOWNSON), Matt SPARGO (JONES), Benjamin WALCHLI (DELYALL), Simon WARD (GOODIER), Lachlan JONES

 

Helensburgh Thistle: Matt WARDLE, Blake KIRKLAND, Aaron DARK, Nick HARRIS, Adam COFFEE, Bradley MATIUSCENKO, Aiden BROOKS, Andy GARCIA, Josh BRADY, Reggae ROWLEY, Jason WELLINGS

Substitutes: Adam THOMPSON (BROOKS), Luke FALKINER (MATIUSCENKO), Kyle TIPPING (COFFEE), Andrew RUSSELL (GARCIA), Braden GILBERT

 

Referee: Blake HERBERT

Assistant Referees: Caleb BLANCH and Brendan FOTHERINGHAM

Fourth Official: Mick AGIM

 

Report by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

Photo by Pedro Garcia