Both sides were eager to make a strong start which made the first minutes of the match intense. Within the 2nd minute, UOW created a chance by having Kentaro Arai pass to Cameron Hanson and Abdullah Anwer redirected the ball. Having completed a slick stepover, Anwer set up Hanson; but the shot failed to find its mark. Not long after, Arai helped UOW get a corner kick.
Although UOW started the game under pressure, it was them who scored in the 9th minute first. Jack O’Brien, hurried by Oscar Borschmann, tried to kick the ball away, but he was tackled. Borschmann scored after a calm run into the box, putting the visitors in front 1–0.
Warilla came close to a wider lead when Martin Castelli’s effort was saved by Caleb Biondo, but UOW kept trying to equalize. Many times during the match, Anwer beat his opponents with tricky moves and helped set up teammates for chances, although he was unable to score in the 27th minute.
UOW hit the bar in the 34th minute with a Hanson shot and Arai’s corner soon led to Borschmann’s header missing the goal by a little. However, Warilla picked up their play and managed to draw the score even before halftime. Jack Murray raced through the middle in the 40th minute and scored to bring the game level at 1–1.
The second half started with stronger action. Down the left, Hinata Yamaguchi from Warilla joined with Petrovski and Castelli to cause problems for UOW’s defence. In the 52nd minute, Borschmann faced keeper Jose Junior in a one-on-one situation, but the shot was saved.
On the 53rd minute Anwer was fouled on a great run and Darcy Drane’s free kick hit the post.
It was in the 72nd minute that Yamaguchi came up with an incredible piece of play. Petrovski passed the ball and after getting past two players, Yamaguchi released the ball into the right corner, making it 2–1 for Warilla.
However, that joy did not last very long. Two minutes after the goal, UOW got the chance to take a corner. Arai passed the ball in front at the far post and Borschmann score a volley and his second goal for a 2–2 equalizer.
Until the 86th minute, the score remained level, until Joshua Ranalletta, who just came of the bench, got the ball in midfield, dribbled past Castelli and shot a stormer that surprised everyone at the ground.
Warilla put everything they had on the line in the last few minutes of the match. A free kick by Stosic nearly went in and at the end there was a chance for Yamaguchi to send a ball to Hyham, who was faced with a foul right outside the box. The curling stone of Stosic was very close to spotting the goal.
The win in the end was 3–2 for UOW, moving them above Warilla in the standings and giving them a real lift.
What’s Next:
On Saturday, June 7, Warilla Wanderers FC will go to Gerry Emery Reserve to play Gerringong Breakers FC.
The University of Wollongong FC will take on Corrimal Rangers FC in a midweek match scheduled for June 4 at Memorial Park.
Match Report: Warilla Wanderers FC 2 – 3 University of Wollongong FC
King Mickey Park, Warilla | Round 11 – Men’s District League FG
Reported by,
Nikith George Mathew.
