Picton progressed to the semi-finals of the PeopleCare District League with a 3-2 victory over Unanderra at Unanderra Oval. The scoring was opened 17 minutes in when Lachlan Newman fired the Bush Pigs ahead sending a low drive into the corner. Three minutes later, the Rangers doubled their advantage as Jarred Morley scored a peach of a freekick. The Hearts halved the deficit late in the first half when Joel Perry found the net. From the kickoff of the second half, Picton scored again as Mitchell Hall slid a delicate finish through the legs of Brandon Groom before minutes later, Mark Picciolini powered home a penalty for the Hearts which proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
Picton showed intent to score goals from the kick off and three minutes in created a chance. A ball in from the left-hand side dropped at the feet of Lachlan Newman centrally who volleyed the ball over. Five minutes later, the Hearts created an opening of their own as a freekick on the right-hand side found Mark Picciolini who flicked his header wide of the goal. In the 17th minute, the Rangers found the opener. A corner from the left-hand side found Lachlan Newman just inside the box who sent a piercing volley into the bottom corner. Three minutes later, the Bush Pigs doubled their advantage. A freekick awarded on the right-hand side just outside the box sent beautifully into the top corner by Jarrod Morley.
The Hearts halved the deficit in the 37th minute when Mark Picciolini showed great strength to hold off a challenge on the left-hand edge of the box before squaring the ball across to Joel Perry on the right-hand side of the box taking the keeper out of the equation allowing Perry to fire past the player on the line. The late first-half goal gave Unanderra hope heading into the halftime break.
Despite this, the Hearts got off to the worst possible start conceding a goal within the first minute of the second period. Mitchell Hall picking up the ball on the right-hand edge of the box and sliding the ball through the keeper’s legs to restore the Rangers’ two-goal buffer. However, seven minutes later, Unanderra pulled a goal back again. Mark Picciolini converting from the penalty spot rifling an effort into the roof of the net.
In the 67th minute, Picton nearly restored their two-goal buffer as Mitchell Hall picked up the ball on the left-hand side and shifted it onto his right foot and fired an effort goalwards which was blocked. With nine minutes to play in the half, Unanderra came very close to restoring parity when Mark Picciolini picked the ball up on the edge of the box with his back to goal and swivelled quickly producing a right-footed shot which was dragged narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.
Picton held on to secure the victory over Unanderra seeing the side into a semi-final clash with Oak Flats next Saturday.
Rangers’ coach Ben Realph was pleased with the overall display especially considering the side’s recent poor run.
“That’s [the result] pretty big for us”, Realph said.
“It was very important to get back on the wagon and start winning games again”.
Unanderra Hearts 2 (Joel Perry 37’, Mark Picciolini 52’)
Picton Rangers 3 (Lachlan Newman 11’, Jarrod Morley 20’, Mitchell Hall 46’)
Unanderra Hearts: 1. GROOM Brandon, 2. JORGE Daniel, 6. MOREIRA Bradley, 3. PERINICH Michael, 10. PICCIOLINI Luke, 17. MAGILL Dominic, 16. PERRY Joel, 13. PICCIOLINI Mark, 9. SAVERINO Daniel. 7. PLAKIAS Christian, 12. NANOS Andrew
Substitutes: 14. MANFREDI Lorri (PLAKIAS), 15. OSBORNE Lachlan (L. PICCIOLINI), 50. MCGOVERN Druon (PERINICH), 8. BUSSOLETTI Luke, 4. MARTIN Lachlan
Picton Rangers: 1. JONES Bradley, 2. DYMOND Connor, 3. MACGRAW Nathan, 4. NELSON Daniel, 5. HALL Mitchell, 6. MAIOLO Joshua, 8. MORLEY Jarred, 9. SNELGROVE Tyler, 10. NEWMAN Lachlan, 11. MORLEY Dayne, MIRANDA Scott
Substitutes: 7. CEVENINI Christian (NEWMAN), 12. TESORIERO Matthew (MAIOLO), 14. BERKELEY Brendan (MORLEY), 15. HEYHORN Michael, 16. MACLOAD William
Date: 10 October 2020
Venue: Unanderra Oval
Referee: Peter Ilcevski
Assistant Referees: Demi Goddard and John Ruscica
Fourth Official: Andrew Naylor
Report by Timothy Gibson
File Photo
