The first round of the Illawarra District League Finals Series provided two big wins for Fernhill and Gerringong as the teams edge closer to the Grand Final.
Fernhill set up a clash with Oak Flats in the major semi-final next weekend while Gerringong and Shoalhaven face off for a preliminary final spot.
Thirroul Thunder FC 0
Gerringong Breakers FC 4 (Joshua Hawker 10’ 48’, Aidan Hancock 65’, Jake Packham 75’)
Gerringong Breakers started their finals campaign in style, winning 4-0 over Thirroul Thunder on Saturday at Tarrawanna Oval.
The Breakers grabbed a lead within 10 minutes through Joshua Hawker in an otherwise tense and close first period.
Thirroul goalkeeper Joshua Williams and Gerringong’s Joel Lockard pulled off several top saves to keep the scores tight heading into halftime.
Hawker converted a penalty three minutes into the second half to extend Gerringong’s lead before they blew out the score.
Aidan Hanock scored soon after the hour mark to make it 3-0, and Jake Packham scored just three after coming onto the pitch to add a fourth.
Gerringong coach Brad Boardman said he was delighted with how his team played after an up-and-down season for the side in 2024.
“It was some of the best football I’ve seen all year,” he said.
“We knew Thirroul would come out and be very physical; they always are, and try and come at us.
“They’ve got some really gun players.
“We had to congest that midfield with five across the middle; we did it well.”
The Breakers went on a near-fairytale run in their maiden District League campaign in 2023, making it all the way to the Preliminary Final after finishing fifth.
Boardman said that building similar momentum is key to Gerringong producing a similar finals run this year.
“It’s a long way to the grand final, so we’ve got to string two or more of those [performances like today] before we start thinking about that,” he said.
“If we can continue to play as we did today, we’ll go a long way but if we go back to the old habits, then we’ll struggle.”
Gerringong face Shoalhaven this weekend with a preliminary final berth on the line.
Fernhill FC 3 (Kyle Del 21’, Jake Webster 47’, Keegan Matias 77’)
Shoalhaven FC 0
Fernhill demonstrated their championship credentials with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Shoalhaven on Sunday at Elizabeth Park.
Fernhill made a bright start to the match with Jordan Hughes and Seamus Dowd, who saw shots saved by Shoalhaven goalkeeper Samuel Parkinson within five minutes.
Not long after, the lively Hughes set off on a bursting run down the left, but as he entered the box, he went down clutching his left hamstring.
The captain’s injury is a blow for the Foxes, especially with the grand final only three weeks away, according to coach Dale White.
“It hurts [to lose Hughes], White said.
“He’s our skipper, and so much creative talent comes from him.”
Shoalhaven found their feet in the match in the ninth minute as Logan Connell rolled an effort onto the left post.
Five minutes later, Matthew White’s deflected curler required a superb stretching save from Fernhill shotstopper Yuki Yasuda.
However, 21 minutes in, Fernhill grabbed the lead. David Kotrc’s right-sided cross found Kyle Del, who steered the ball from close range inside the right post.
Two minutes later, some neat interplay from Fernhill resulted in the ball falling to Jake Webster, but the midfielder lashed a strike just over.
Webster found his goal three minutes into the second half as he volleyed the ball into the right of the goal following a corner.
Shoalhaven struck the woodwork again midway through the second half when Matthew White arrowed the ball onto the right post.
Keegan Matias added a third in the 76th minute for Fernhill, driving the ball under Parkinson from the middle of the box.
Coach White said his team’s fast start contributed to their victory and that missing out on the League Championship has provided further incentive for grand final glory.
“We’ve been doing that all year [starting well],” he said.
“We start well, defensively, we’re well-organised, we’ve got threats across the park, and a team will be doing well to hold us out.
“It’s certainly lit a fire [missing out on the league championship].”
Fernhill take on league champions Oak Flats Falcons on the weekend for a place in the big dance.
Review by Tim Gibson
