An exciting District League match at Memorial Park saw second-place Fernhill come back from behind, beating Corrimal Rangers 2-1 and keeping themselves in the race for the championship.
The match turned into a dramatic start when Kyoga Kobayashi, with his fancy footwork, left Aidan Breslin behind and got tripped in the penalty area. With confidence, Captain Jackson Dent hit a penalty well, sending Karl Solberg-Minnerup in the wrong direction and putting the ball into the top right corner of the net.
High pressing with attacking efforts led by Hayden Tunney, Hasan Ayoub, Jake Gander, and Kobayashi remained a threat, forcing another save and a series of corners. Meanwhile, Fernhill’s Jordan Hughes and Nicholas High looked dangerous on the counter. High came agonisingly close to an equaliser in the 10th minute, striking the post.
The first half was an end-to-end battle, with both teams creating chances. Fernhill hit the woodwork three times through High, Mitchell Turner, and Joshua Crapis, but luck wasn’t on their side. Despite the pressure, Corrimal held their lead into the break.
The second half picked up with the same intensity. In the 51st minute, Dent initiated a dazzling move that saw Kobayashi beat two defenders, only for his shot to be blocked by Breslin.
The match turned decisively in the 68th minute when Dent, already on a yellow card, recklessly charged into Solberg-Minnerup while chasing a lost cause. The referee had no choice but to issue a second yellow, reducing Corrimal to ten men.
Fernhill capitalised on the advantage. In the 74th minute, a slick move involving Hughes, Turner, and High ended with Jake Webster calmly finishing into the bottom left corner for the equaliser.
Corrimal’s defence continued to absorb pressure, with Nathan Lingam making a key sliding clearance and Nappi pulling off vital saves. However, the relentless Fernhill attack paid off late in the match. In the 87th minute, after sustained pressure and a corner scramble, High slotted home from close range to complete the comeback.
It was a spirited performance from Corrimal, but Fernhill’s persistence and attacking flair secured them three crucial points, keeping their title hopes alive.
Corrimal Rangers will look to bounce back when they visit Gerringong Breakers FC at Gerry Emery Reserve on June 14th, while Fernhill FC host Thirroul JFC at Ray Robinson Oval on the same day in a crucial top-of-the-table clash.
Reported by Nikith George Mathew.
Photos courtesy of Fernhill FC
