Berkeley Sports leapt to equal points atop of the league table following their second consecutive 2-0 win, this time over Thirroul Thunder at Berkeley Sportsground on Saturday.
Berkeley’s Japanese duo of Mondo Kagami and Ryosuke Matsuoka along with veteran Nuno Pires, looked dangerous all afternoon as Thirroul just could not repel the rampant goats.
It didn’t take long for Berkeley to take the ascendancy when as early as the fourth minute, Kagami sent a delightful cross to Pires who just couldn’t turn in goal bound.
Shortly after, a Thirroul corner saw Grant Overton attack the ball. His shot took a deflection just wide of the goal as Thunder looked to put Berkeley on their heels.
Berkeley started to take control of the game as they dominated the midfield.
This dominance was rewarded on 18 minutes when Piries played Kagami in behind the defensive line. The nifty Mondo neatly placed the ball beyond the outstretched Liam Harris as it found the bottom far corner putting Berkeley in front.
Just five minutes later, Berkeley’s Aurin Jones started a wonderful move that linked with David Chicharo and Rysosuke Matsuoka before a cross was sent in the direction of Kagami who just couldn’t get enough purchase on his header.
On 27 minutes, a weaving run by Harry Wagemans threaded through the Thirroul midfield. Wagemans delivered a pass to Matsuoka whose cross to his Japanese teammate was headed wide. Berkeley was in control at this point and threatening to run away with the game.
Just two minutes later, Kagami turned provider as he picked out Piries on the penalty spot however his turn and shot struck the inside of the far post and bounced wide.
There was no respite for Thirroul as on 33 minutes, Kagami, Matsuoka and Piries all combined again with the latter heading wide from close range.
Berkeley Sports probably should have sewn up the game by this stage of the game such was their dominance and opportunities however credit to Thirroul who to be fair by luck were hanging in there.
In fact, they almost capitalised on Berkeley’s missed opportunities as down the other end and just before half time, Tyler Ball managed to evade a tackle and let rip a shot that was well handled by Claude D’Alessio.
Right on the stroke of half time, Bradley Strudwick let fly an ambitious effort from distance after latching onto a loose ball which bounced off the top of the cross bar.
Just seven minutes after the break, Berkeley looked to continue their onslaught as Wagemans attempted a spectacular bicycle kick which was not too far away.
On 58 minutes, Ball made a dazzling run which saw him make his way into a great scoring position however a desperate and perfectly timed tackle from Jarryd King denied the youngster almost a certain goal.
The longer the game went, Thirroul looked to edge their way back into the game and one felt that Berkeley would need a second to seal the deal.
A couple of wasted free kicks in good positions from Thirroul went wide.
On 76 minutes, a great turn by Piries in the box saw him blast over from close range and just a few minutes later down the other end, Robert Gyngell’s great run saw him get himself into a great position. He squared the ball across goal however Ryan Crouch’s interception denied Thirroul what would almost certainly have been a tap in equaliser.
Just four minutes from time, Berkeley finally put the game to bed after Andrew Rosandic let loose a shot from the edge of the box that found the bottom corner.
Berkeley Sports saw out the match and would have been relieved they managed to secure the points.
Saturday 15 April @ Berkeley Sportsground
Berkeley Sports – 2 (Kagami 18’, Rosandic 86’)
Thirroul Thunder – 0
BERKELEY SPORTS | 1. Claude D’ALESSIO, 2. Rayner WILSON-TYRRELL, 3. Aaron TREVISI, 4. Jarryd KING, 5. Ryan CROUCH, 6. Harry WAGEMANS, 7. Mondo KAGAMI, 8. Aurin JONES, 9. Nuno PIRES, 10. David CHICHARO, 11. Ryosuke MATSUOKA
Substitutes: 12. Jeremy TYSSEN, 13. Greg MOON, 14. Massimo MACCIONI, 15. Melih YILMAZ, 16. Kohen WHITE, 21. Mitchell O’NEILL
THIRROUL FC | 1. Liam HARRIS, 2. Trent MOROSIN, 3. Mitchell JONES, 4. Aaron DARK, 5. Jeremy HARRISON, 6. Bradley STRUDWICK, 7. Tyler BALL, 8. Grant OVERTON, 9. Tyler ADAMS, 10. Nathan MUCCI, 11. William SPARGO
Substitutes: 12. Toshiya SATO, 13. Jonty WESTBROOK, 14. Lucas ALLEN, 15. Jack COTTERILL, 16. Josh BOND
Referee: Casey Flemming
Assistant Referees: Caleb Blanch and Killian Dennelly
Report by Bobby Mazevski
Photos courtesy of Gragrapix
