Oak Flats Falcons put in a commanding 4-0 win over Picton on a windy Saturday afternoon to leave destiny in their own hands for a Minor Premiership.
Bojan Caric was key for the Falcons with a double with goals in the 33rd and 90th minute whilst Daniel Munilla’s goal in the 48th minute and Jarryd Vinton’s 53rd minute goal rounded out the action for the competition leaders giving them the outright lead (one point) heading into the last round.
Picton started well and were unlucky to not open the scoring in the 11th minute through a Jarryd Morley free-kick which sailed onto the crossbar and out of danger for the hosts.
The Falcons were patient and they had their first real opportunity of the match in the 33rd minute when Caric pounced on a misjudged back pass from the Picton defence and finished a one-on-one with Brad Jones to give the hosts the lead.
Picton appeared unlucky not to be given a penalty at the stroke of halftime when the ball appeared to be handled in the box however the pleas fell on deaf ears as the referee waived play on.The hosts going into the break with the one goal lead.
Oak Flats came out after the break flying with a goal just three minutes after the restart. Daniel Munilla found himself in an attacking area speeding past the defence and neatly slotting it past Jones for the Falcons’ second.
When Jarryd Vinton added a third for the Falcons with a superb half volley from the edge of the box in the 53rd minute, the game looked all but dusted.
The hosts didn’t look back from this and dominated the remainder of the half. Julian Minutillo and Marko Bubanja both had one-on-ones with Jones but were denied both times with an excellent save from the Picton shot-stopper.
With the game winding down, Caric rounded out the scoring with a last minute goal from the edge of the box giving him a brace and securing a big win for the hosts.
With this emphatic win, Oak Flats set up a final day showdown with Thirroul and three points will seal a historic League Championship. Anything other than three points though and Unanderra Hearts could steal the title from right under their noses.
Picton on the other hand will be disappointed to have secured third spot after leading the competition after Round 7 but one win from their last five matches dented their League Championship hopes.
Oak Flats – 4 (Caric 33’ 90’, Munilla 48’, Vinton 53’)
Picton – 0
Oak Flats: 1.FRANCIS Ryan, 3. LLOYD Brenton, 4. MINDZAS Tom, 5. GILROY Lee, 6. WADE Aden, 7. VINTON Jarryd, 8. CAPPETTA Christian, 9. CARIC Bojan, 11. MUNILLA Daniel, 12. STEVENSON Jamie, 14. TILDEN John
Substitutes: 2. O’BRIEN Gavin, 10. MINUTILLO Julian, 13. DEL Kyle, 15. BUBANJA Marko, 21. JARMAN Chris (GK).
Picton: 1. JONES Brad, 4. NELSON Daniel, 5. DURRANT Brad, 13. MIRANDA Scott, 2. HEYHORN Michael, 3. SNELGROVE Tyler, 7. MORLEY Dayne, 6. MAIOLO Josh, 8. MORLEY Jarrod, 9. DYMOND Connor, 10. NEWMAN Lachlan.
Substitutes: 12. BERKELEY Brendan, 15. O’NEIL Connor, 14. TESORRIERO Matthew, CRUSHANK Robbie (GK).
Date: 27th September 2020
Venue: Keith Bond Oval
Referee: Greg Reid
Assistant Referees: Jacob Zipparo and Ruby Blanch
Report by Dominic Criniti, on Twitter @DCriniti
Photo by Noel Wynn
