Gerringong Breakers FC will enjoy a happy Easter after a convincing 3–0 win over UOW FC on Friday afternoon, with a dominant first-half performance that left the hosts with no way back.
The game started in scrappy fashion, but the Breakers settled into more and more control, eventually keeping University back in their own half for long sequences of play. The tone was set early, and tensions flared when Gerringong’s Joshua Hawker slid in from behind on Kentaro Arai, earning the game’s first yellow card.
Just before the half-hour mark, the visitors found their breakthrough. A fine combination in the box saw Hawker play in Alexander Galbraith, whose powerful strike strikes off the underside of the bar. University struggled to clear the ball longer than straight back to Galbraith, and this time he made no mistake. He fires a clinical low shot in off the left post to give the Breakers a deserved lead.
What followed was a nightmare sequence for the hosts. Straight from the restart, University played the ball back, with Gerringong’s high press pushing forward with confidence. Hawker came charging in, blocking goalkeeper Micah Leimbach’s attempted clearance, and the deflection rolled straight into the net. Two goals in as many minutes left University stunned and the Breakers in full control of the game.
The brilliant attacking duo of Galbraith and Hawker nearly added a third just minutes later. Galbraith flicked a stylish pass with the outside of his foot into Hawker’s path, but the forward’s effort was fired just wide.
With a controlled 2–0 lead at the break, the Breakers looked to manage the second half, as the tempo dropped and both sides leaned into a more physical, direct style of play.
But in the 64th minute, Hawker delivered the moment of the match. Already in firing form, he picked up the ball wide about 30 meters out when he unleashed a fabulous left-footed strike that rocketed into the top corner, sealing the result for the Breakers.
University’s best chance to respond came five minutes later when Skipper Christian Presslaber forced a save from the Breakers’ keeper, and the rebound fell to Oscar Borschmann. However, his shot from a tight angle flew just wide of the target.
From there, Gerringong saw out the match comfortably. A physical second half produced few clear chances, and the Breakers’ first-half blitz and Hawker’s magic proved more than enough to secure the three points.
Next up, UOW FC will travel to face Corral Rangers, while Gerringong Breakers prepare for a big away contest against second-placed Thirroul JFC.
Report by Simon Dahlén
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