Fernhill FC put on a show at home on Saturday afternoon with a 6–3 win over Picton Rangers FC in a match packed with goals and flair. The Foxes were in control from the start and never looked back, topped with six great goals and a well-deserved spot at the top of the table.
It took just nine minutes for the home side to get going. Mitchell Turner set up Jordan Hughes, who faked a shot, beat his man on the outside, and smashed the ball high into the net to make it 1–0.
The Foxes nearly doubled their lead in the 16th minute when Turner went one-on-one with Rangers keeper Lauchlan O’Bree, but the shot-stopper did well to keep the effort out.
But Fernhill didn’t have to wait long for their second. In the 24th minute, Kyle Del charged down the right wing and whipped in a cross to the back post. Daniel Djukic met it with a clever header down to Hughes, who srtiked cleanly on the volley double the lead.
Just two minutes later, Foxes got their third. Turner pulled off a slick nutmeg and fed the ball to Nicholas High, who tucked his finish into the bottom corner distinctly.
Turner nearly added a fourth himself in the 29th, curling a free-kick over the wall that clipped the crossbar.
Picton managed to pull one back in the 31st minute. A free-kick into the box wasn’t cleared properly, and Liam Gregory was in the right spot to strike the ball home from close range to make it 3–1.
The Foxes went into half-time full of confidence after dominating most of the half. Picton had some moments on the counter, but Fernhill were clearly the better side this far.
Rain started falling in the second half, but that didn’t slow things down. In the 52nd minute, a corner fell to Hughes just outside the box. His shot took a deflection and ended up in the net. Whether it was his hat-trick or not, it was 4–1 to Fernhill.
Picton responded in the 60th minute. Dylan Errington won his challenge with Luke Foster on the right, drove into the box, and managed to sneak his shot in from a tight angle to make it 4–2.
But the Foxes hit back quickly again. In the 72nd minute, Hughes delivered a free-kick to the back post where substitute Mattias Passlack, just minutes after coming on, headed it home with precision for 5–2.
Three minutes later, Djukic finally got a goal of his own. The striker picked up the ball around 10 metres outside the box, where he released a powerful strike to make it 6–2.
Picton grabbed a late third through Shannon Hoad in the 83rd minute, who timed his run well and finished between the keeper’s legs to make it 6–3. But it was too late to change the outcome.
It was a big win for the Foxes with six quality goals and a result that sends them to the top of the ladder, even if just temporarily.
Next up, Fernhill FC hosts Warilla Wanderers FC, while Picton Rangers FC head to Berkeley Sports Football Club.
Report by Simon Dahlen
Photo: Fernhill FC
