Cringila Lions were eliminated from the Finals with Wollongong United and Coniston FC getting wins over the weekend. There was no shortage of goals in both Semi Finals were games were decided with strong second half performances.
Wollongong United 4(Jordan Nikolovski 43′, Van Elia 69′, 78′, Nav Darjani 71′)
Cringila Lions 2 (Anthony Krstevski 64′, Jason Zufic 90+5′)
Cringila Lions’ hopes of making consecutive Grand Finals were extinguished following defeat to Wollongong United. Cringila Lions started the game with some positive football and probably shaded possession and chances however they were unable to capitalise.
Wollongong United managed to score just before half time through a swift counter that saw Van Elia slip Jordan Nikolovski through. He managed to slide the ball under the Nik Ristevski to give United the lead (perhaps against the run of play).
Cringila Lions drew level on 64 minutes with a well taken goal from Anthony Krstevski.
The game turned on it’s head with two quick goals not long after. Ristevski’s clearance slammed into Elia and ricocheted into an unguarded goal to put United back in front. Just two minutes later, Nav Darjani took on players and drove into the box before unleashing a shot that found the roof of the net inside the near post. In a blink of an eye, United led 3-1.
Elia essentially put the game to bed on 78 minutes when he curled a shot across goal. It took a little hop just in front of Ristevski and bounced over the diving goalkeeper trickling into goal.
Cringila managed a consolation goal deep into stoppage time when a shot from deflected in off Jason Zufic however, it was too little too late as the damage had already been done.
Wollongong United advancing through to round two where they will face Albion Park White Eagles in another elimination match.
Albion Park White Eagles 1 (Brendan Griffin 6′)
Coniston FC 4 (Daniel Loe 2′, Tobias Norval 28′, 90+3′, Adam Voloder 86′
It was a fast start to the Sunday semi final with both teams scoring inside the opening few minutes. Coniston FC were back to their form they showed earlier this season as they dominated the Eagles for much of the constest.
Coniston FC hit the lead just 90 second in. A free kick was floated in by Tobias Norval however Noah Tasker fumbled his attempt to catch the ball. Daniel Loe was on hand to tap it in given Coniston the ideal start.
The Eagles were quick to respond. They had a ball cleared off the line on five minutes however seconds later, Brendon Griffin equalised in spectacular fashion when his 25 yard half volley found the top corner to restore parity.
It become an arm wrestle from there as both sides tried to exert their dominance on the game.
Norval put Coniston FC ahead once more after a sweeping move saw him tap the ball in on the far post on 28 minutes.
Midway through the second half, Tasker pulled off an incredible triple save to deny Norval, Adam Voloder and Tyson Black in the space of a few seconds.
With the game winding down and the Eagles throwing players forward, Voloder finished off a fine counter attack to create a two-goal buffer and in the dying seconds of the match, Norval put the icing on the cake with yet another tap in.
Coniston running out deserved winners on the day and they now have an appointment with Wollongong Olympic on Sunday with the winner securing their place in the Grand Final. Albion Park White Eagles will need to regroup as they tackle Wollongong United on Saturday in an elimination final.
