Fernhill held off a spirited Oak Flats comeback to claim a 2–1 victory in an entertaining and closely fought contest, with the Foxes scoring twice before the Oak Flats pulled one back late to set up a tense finish.
Oak Flats started brightly and looked to dominate the early stages, creating a decent opportunity for Joel Palermo, only for his effort to be blocked by Kento Yamamoto.
The opening exchanges quickly developed into an even contest, although there were signs of Fernhill attempting to play balls over the top, with Jordan Hughes looking to release runners behind the Oak Flats defence.
After some promising build-up play, Hughes delivered a dangerous cross towards the back post, just out of reach of Mattias Passlack.
Fernhill were doing well to win the first ball and compete physically in the early stages. Oak Flats were then presented with another opportunity after a loose ball from the Foxes’ Aidan Breslin put Sammy Benton through, but Dylan Hogan produced an excellent block to deny the chance.
Fernhill soon found the breakthrough in spectacular fashion.
Brandan Pattman, stood over a free kick just inside the halfway line. With numbers at the back post including Passlack Oak Flats defenders took their focus off the ball, as Pattman whipped it forward with intent. The delivery completely fooled everyone, including the goalkeeper, and sailed straight into the back of the net.
The goal opened the game up further. Fernhill’s Brandan Pattman continued to influence proceedings in midfield, while Hughes produced another excellent delivery towards the danger area. His cross looked destined for the waiting runners before Oak Flats Mitchell Sweeney made an important intervention.
Oak Flats began to build momentum finding joy through overlapping combinations, with Noah Vidler and Ky Nunn working together to create space down the flank.
Vidler then produced a pinpoint delivery that found Sami Benten completely unmarked. The opportunity appeared tailor-made for the forward, but he headed over the bar, much to Foxes relief. The chance highlighted some poor tracking from the Fernhill defence.
Oak Flats continued to threaten at the other end. Right-back Nixon Nourie delivered a quality cross towards the back post, where Joel Palermo attempted the header but couldn’t make clean contact.
Sami Benton then came agonisingly close to reducing the Foxes advantage. After beating a couple of defenders outside the box, he struck a powerful effort that beat the goalkeeper but crashed into the post.
The game continued to flow fluently, with both sides producing dangerous moments. Fernhill’s Mattias Passlack was particularly influential, constantly looking to create opportunities from midfield.
Oak Flats’ Joel Palermo then produced an excellent ball into Minutillo, whose powerful effort was tipped over the bar by Brandon Groom.
Groom was involved again shortly afterwards when a through ball sent Benton in behind. The goalkeeper came rushing from his line and was caught in no man’s land, but managed to scramble back and clear the danger.
Kyle Del then cut inside from the left and whipped a ball towards the back post, narrowly missing the outstretched leg of Daniel Djukic.
Fernhill’s overlapping fullbacks continued to cause problems for Oak Flats, forcing the Falcons to defend deeper as half-time approached.
The second half began with the Foxes putting the foot on the throat.
Bailey Morphett switched the ball brilliantly to Jordan Hughes, who beat several players before nearly finding Passlack unmarked in a dangerous position.
At the other end, a Ky Nunn delivery towards Minutillo at the back post almost came off, as both teams continued to threaten without being able to find the final pass.
The match remained an intriguing battle, with both sides playing attractive football through midfield and into the attacking areas, only to lose their way in the final third.
Fernhill continued to look dangerous from set pieces, particularly when targeting Passlack. A cross from Daniel Djukic towards the back post found Hughes, whose left-footed strike was blocked by a wall of Oak Flats defenders.
Hughes then delivered a dangerous ball of his own across the face of goal, keeping the pressure on the Falcons.
Eventually, Fernhill found their second.
A brilliant through ball from Daniel Djukic released Kyle Del down the flank. Del reached the byline before cutting the ball back into the danger area, where Passlack was waiting to calmly tap the ball home. Passlack celebrated in acrobatic fashion, with the Foxes now up 2-0.
Oak Flats refused to surrender.
Fernhill were then almost punished after Dejan Djukic lost possession in a dangerous area. Sami Benton and Ky Nunn combined, with Nunn getting a shot away that was saved by the Foxes goalkeeper.
Oak Flats continued to pile on pressure. Kohen White found Minutillo at the back post, but the Fernhill defence managed to divert the effort behind for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, a ricochet off a Benton header fell perfectly for Minutillo, who struck the ball first time and found the back of the net.
Suddenly, the momentum shifted.
Oak Flats pushed forward looking for an equaliser, and a goal kick soon presented another opportunity. Benton won the flick-on, sending the ball towards Bojan Caric whose volley was blocked by Fernhill’s Dylan Hogan.
Fernhill were forced to defend desperately in the closing stages. Another corner produced a ricochet that fell outside the box to Oak Flats’ Kohen White, who struck a first-time volley narrowly past the top-right corner.
Despite the late pressure, Fernhill held firm.
The Foxes had created the first two goals of the match and, despite Oak Flats’ determined late fightback, their early advantage proved enough to secure all three points. Oak Flats, while being disappointed from a Grand Final loss, will take confidence out of a season that underlined their class and dominance to win the Minor Premiership. While Fernhill’s finals resilience having to win 3 games in a row elucidates their ability to stand up in big games ensuring success for years to come.
Report – Wyatt Toland
Photos – Gragrapix
