Photo credit: Graham Brown
Unfortunately once again the Football South Coast Men’s Premiership has fallen victim to wilful weather with the majority of matches being relocated to Ian McLennan Park over the weekend.
Some interesting matchups have been set up for this week in the semi-finals.
Fraternity Club Premier League:
Wollongong Olympic 3 (Harry Callahan 8′, Tynan Diaz 13′, Jake Trew 72′) Bulli FC 0
A swift start from Wollongong Olympic set the side on their way to a chance at the grand final this weekend after downing Bulli 3-0 at Ian McLennan Park on Sunday.
Harry Callahan and Tynan Diaz each scored inside a quarter of an hour before Jake Trew added a third later on in the match.
This was the first time Olympic had scored against Bulli this season going down 1-0 earlier in the season before a 0-0 stalemate last month.
Bulli will face Cringila Lions this week while Olympic look to make it two wins from two this year against Wollongong United.
An Anthony Krsteski brace against his former side guided Cringila to a 3-2 victory over rivals Coniston at JJ Kelly Park on Monday.
Krsteski’s early goal was cancelled out by a Tobias Norval strike from outside the area half an hour in; however, Krsteski scored another only a few minutes later.
Peter Simonoski picked up a goal just before the break, and Van Elia’s penalty for Coniston after halftime proved to be in vain.
Cringila have another do-or-die matchup this week against Bulli for a place in the preliminary final, but Coniston are now out of the running.
In second grade, Port Kembla could make the grand final this week after they edged past Wollongong United 3-2 with Dion Avouris scoring two for the Zebras.
Coniston will play United this week after their 4-2 victory over Cringila.
Port Kembla’s youth grade will also advance further into the finals series after they downed a 10-man Albion Park White Eagles 4-2.
Wollongong United were on the right end of an eight-goal thriller against Cringila getting up 5-3 and will now take on league champions Coniston.
Peoplecare District League:
Oak Flats Falcons 0 University FC 5 (Ashley Hawkes 15’, Curtis Iverson 43’, Cameron Hanson 82’, Ben Joyce 83’, Nic Wilson 86’)
A severely depleted Oak Flats side were swept aside by University 5-0 at Ian McLennan Park on Saturday.
The Students went into halftime with a two-goal lead courtesy of Ashley Hawkes and Curtis Iverson before three goals in the final 10 minutes finished off the Falcons.
The victory for Scott Regent’s team sets up a crunch clash against Shell Cove this week.
It was only late August when University suffered a late winner to go down 2-1 to Shell Cove.
Shell Cove 1 (Michael Trajkovski 28’) Unanderra Hearts 3 (Elvir Catovic 61’ own goal, Mark Picciolini 68’ 87’)
Mark Picciolini’s recent reintroduction into the team paid dividends for the Hearts on Saturday night with the forward picking up a brace in just his second game back.
Shell Cove pulled in front midway through the first half before an Elvir Catovic own goal on the hour levelled the scores.
Two goals in the final part of the game from Picciolini secured the result for Unanderra who will participate in the major semi-final against Helensburgh.
The Hearts will be hoping for some turnaround from their final-round meeting against the Thistle where they were battered 8-3.
Shell Cove also still have a chance in the competition facing University.
Both second grade fixtures were shifted to Monday at Ian McLennan Park with University powering past Berkeley 6-1 while defending champions Thirroul went down 3-2 to Unanderra in the later kick-off.
The Students will now take on the Thunder with the winner going on to face the loser of Helensburgh against Unanderra.
In youth grade, a Lachlan Stanton hat-trick sent Helensburgh on their way to a resounding 6-1 triumph against Berkeley.
While University and Kiama needed penalties to find a winner with the Quarriers prevailing 4-3 after the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of extra time.
Helensburgh will take on Thirroul for a place in the grand final while Kiama face Berkeley with the loser of that out of the competition.
