Bert Bampton Cup Final – Wollongong United v Bulli FC
3:00 pm Sunday 6 September @ Ian McLennan Park
The 2020 Bert Bampton Cup Final will see a rematch of the 2018 Illawarra Premier League Grand Final with Bulli looking to claim the title for the second season running, facing up against a Wollongong United side hoping to grab their second piece of silverware of the season.
Wollongong United have had a stellar start to their Illawarra Premier League campaign, sitting top of the division after winning every game since an opening round loss to last season’s league champions Wollongong Olympic. United’s road to the final in the cup started with a 3-1 victory over District League side Thirroul before edging past Coniston 1-0. In the semi-finals, the side came from behind to defeat surprise package Bellambi 3-1. Victory for United will see the side claim their first Bert Bampton Cup since 2015.
However, Wollongong United will face a difficult task against reigning Cup winners Bulli. The side are the only team across Illawarra football who are yet to lose in any competition since the restart. Bulli have also made their run to the final without conceding a goal – swatting aside District League opponents Oak Flats 5-0 and Helensburgh 6-0, before downing Cringila 2-0 in the semi-finals. If Bulli lift the cup on Sunday it will be the side’s third Bert Bampton Cup in four years.
The last time the two teams clashed was in Round 19 of the 2019 Premier League season in which United got up 3-0 at Macedonia Park. Whether the side can reach such heights in this game remains to be seen, especially against a much improved Bulli side.
Youth Cup Final – Wollongong United v Coniston FC
12:15 pm Sunday 6 September @ Ian McLennan Park
The 2020 Youth Cup Final will feature last season’s runners up Wollongong United taking on Coniston.
United have had an impressive campaign so far – scoring 27 goals across three games including a 15-2 win over Berkeley and an 8-0 win over Helensburgh – before booking their spot in the decider with a 4-1 win over local rivals Wollongong Olympic in the semi-finals. Jordan Prentoski has been on fire for the side in the cup this season, scoring seven goals in three games and will look to have a decisive impact in the final.
However, Coniston will look to spoil any United party. The side nabbed a 6-0 victory against Corrimal before edging past Albion Park 2-0 and while the side did go down to Tarrawanna in the semi-finals, a breach in regulations means Coniston have been given the opportunity to contest the Cup. Captain Brandon Angelevski has been an important figure for the side in the competition – netting three goals in three games – and he will look to put in a big performance in the final.
This match promises to be an exciting encounter between the two sides who have a combined total of 37 goals between them in the Youth Cup.
Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_
Photo by Adam McLean (Illawarra Mercury)
