West Adelaide booked their place in the2014 Coca-Cola Federation Cup Final on Saturday 31 May at Coopers Stadium, as a second half onslaught downed Western Strikers 5-1 in their Coca-Cola Federation Cup Semi-Final at the Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Wednesday. 

West Adelaide defender Michael Alexandrou was caught after a mishap and netted an own goal in the 9^th minute to give Western Strikers an early lead, however a brace from both Tom Briscoe and Ricardo Da Silva, as well as a moment of brilliance from Nathan Andijanto put the game beyond doubt to send West Adelaide to Coopers Stadium.

West Adelaide striker, Tom Briscoe admitted West Adelaide started slowly, but soon gained ascendancy. 

“It was a slow start, but I thought after the 20 minute mark, we had regained control and we started to play our natural game which allowed us to dominate play”, Briscoe said.

Another key player in last night’s match was West Adelaide defender Joe Wright, who has had a strong 2014 campaign to date.

Wright said “Defensively after a slow start we stayed compact and persisted on our passing game out from the back, which ultimately helped the attacking effort”

After another mishap in the 35^th minute, but this time in Western Strikers’ half, Briscoe pounced on a loose ball to square a pass to his inform partner in goals, Ricardo Da Silva, to open West Adelaide’s account for the night, and put the match back on equal terms, just 10 minutes before the end of the first half.

“Heading into the rooms at half time locked at 1-1, Joel (Porter) reinforced the fact that we had to keep the ball moving quickly to create gaps, and once the chances presented themselves to ensure we convert

“He also implored the squad to lift their work rate and sharpen up, and once we did that the rest would take care of itself, which ultimately occurred and gave us a strong victory to send us to the Cup Final.”

From the outset of the second half, West Adelaide continued in their attacking efforts in order to put the game beyond doubt.

Briscoe gave West Adelaide the lead in the 52^nd minute after a strike went past the Western Strikers’ keeper.  

Less than 5 minutes later Andijanto dazzled the Strikers defence and broke free to give West Adelaide a two goal lead at the 55^thminute mark.

Just past the hour mark it was four, with Briscoe again utilising his exciting and explosive pace to burst past the line and slot his second goal of the night in the 66^thminute.

West Adelaide striker Ricardo Da Silva capped off a memorable night by scoring at the 90^th minute mark and give West Adelaide a four goal victory.

West Adelaide’s Wright said that the win was both an exciting and memorable event, and described what Wednesday night’s win meant to him and his club.

“It was a massive win and the boys are buzzing for the Cup Final. We’re expecting a big crowd, and it’s a huge opportunity for the club to regain its prominence on the national stage and represent South Australia in the FFA Cup, if we do go on and win the Cup Final.

“It makes it that much sweeter that it’s against the club’s traditional rival.”

Adelaide City will take on West Adelaide in the Coca Cola Federation Final at Coopers Stadium on May 31.