Day one of the Bonnie Lassie Cup began with Division One sides Wollongong United taking on Fernhill FC in Pool A, whilst on field two, Berkeley played against a Division Three side – Corrimal.
In wet and rainy conditions, both games ended in a 0-0 draw. Division One team’s Fernhill FC and Wollongong United topped the draw in Pool A, both finishing on equal points and goal difference resulting in a coin toss. Wollongong United advanced straight through to the Cup Qualifying Finals whilst Fernhill FC will have to play in the Elimination Cup Final’s.
In Pool C, a strong South Coast Flame team came up against Division One side Woonona, resulting in another 0-0 draw. It was South Coast Flame’s 6-1 defeat against Coniston that led them into first place advancing straight into the Cup Qualifying Final’s alongside state champions Albion Park who also took out first place in Pool F being undefeated all day finishing on nine points and conceding no goals.
Last year’s Cup Champions UOWFC saw no surprises sitting top of their table in Pool B having also been undefeated all day. Underdogs Shellharbour defeated Russel Vale 5-0 sending them into third place and defeating Figtree 6-0 sending them into fourth place. Shellharbour will advance through to the Cup Elimination Final’s alongside Woonona who also took out second place in Pool C.
The wet weather continued on throughout an eventful afternoon seeing Thirroul take on newcomers Cringila, ending in a 1-1 draw. Both teams finished on equal points, however, it was Thirroul’s 7-0 defeat against Coledale that saw them take out first place in Pool D advancing straight through to the Cup Qualifying leaving Cringila to take out second place in the group.
Previous Cup Finalist’s Kiama fell one point behind Bulli in Pool E sending them straight into first place finishing on seven points with no goals conceded. A prepared UOWFC 2 team stepped up into the tournament taking Gerringong’s spot last minute, finishing fourth in their group. Division Three Tarrawanna side will compete for the Plate in the Qualifying Finals alongside Helensburgh in Pool D and Jamberoo in Pool E.
In Pool F, a second coin toss for the day resulted in Moss Vale placing second proceeding through to the Cup Elimination Final’s, sending Warilla third place into the Plate Qualifying Finals. Dapto will play for the Plate in the Elimination Finals alongside Corrimal, Coniston and Coledale who also placed fourth in their groups.
This Sunday we will see another action-packed day filled with football from 9:30am-5:00pm at Ian McLennan Park. 12 teams will compete in the Finals for the Cup whilst another 12 teams will compete in the finals for the Plate.
Cup Qualifying Finals: Wollongong United (A), UOWFC (B), South Coast Flame (C), Thirroul (D), Bulli (E) & Albion Park (F).
Cup Elimination Finals: Fernhill (A), Shellharbour (B), Woonona (C), Cringila (D), Kiama (E) & Moss Vale (F).
Plate Qualifying Finals: Berkeley (A), Russel Vale (B), Tarrawanna (C), Helensburgh (D), Jamberoo (E) & Warilla (F).
Plate Elimination Finals: Corrimal (A), Figtree (B), Coniston (C), Coledale (D), UOWFC #2 (E) & Dapto (F).
Review by Alison Dinh, on Twitter @alisondinh_
Photo Credit: Graham Brown
