DEBUT STRIKE SINKS BERKELEY
A debut goal from striker Sam Markoulis helped seal a vital 2-0 win for Oak Flats Falcons over Berkeley Sports at Keith Bond Oval on Saturday.
The 88th minute strike put the result beyond doubt as the Falcons moved from 4th to 3rd on the ladder as they approach the business end of the season.
With just seven games remaining, six teams can realistically qualify for the semi-finals in this season’s Illawarra Credit Union District League and Falcons head coach Michael Garcia is happy to be hitting form at the right end of the season.
“I’m very happy with how the boys played,” said Garcia.
“We need to be good going into the semis because with seven games left there’s a few teams pushing to be in the top four.
“We needed a good performance today and we got that but from now on it’s just about being consistent.”
Oak Flats were able to run away with the game after the break but the first half provided some nervy moments for the Falcons as fellow semi-final hopefuls, Berkeley, looked dangerous.
Berkeley were guilty of squandering some early chances, most notably when Adam White fired wide from directly in front of goal just 10 minutes in.
The two teams entered the half time break at 0-0 but both could feel they left goals out on the pitch as neither could assert themselves into the game.
The second half saw Oak Flats take control of the game as they stifled the Berkeley attack on their way to their seventh clean sheet this season.
“Our back four has been great all year with David Kiss and Gary Newall,” said Garcia.
“It was another clean sheet for them today and I’m really happy with how they’re playing at the moment.”
It was Newall, turning from goal stopper to goal scorer, who broke eventually broke the deadlock in the 70th minute.
A dangerous corner to the near post wasn’t dealt with by Berkeley keeper Adam Arnott which left Newall free to tap into an empty net from six yards out.
Berkeley pushed for an equaliser to bring them back into the match but the game was pushed out of their reach with Markoulis’ goal two minutes from time.
The young striker received the ball with his back to goal and was able to fire a shot on the turn into the goal to seal the win.
“A debut goal for young Sam and I’m really pleased for him,” added Garcia.
“He worked really hard for us today and deserved to grab a goal so credit to him for that.”
The loss for Berkeley pushed them down into 6th place on the ladder, but with a game in hand the southern suburbs club are still a very good chance of the finals.
Head coach Jason Higgs knows his side must improve if they are to make a semi-finals berth.
“Oak Flats were the way more committed side on the day,” said Higgs.
“They full deserved to get the three points and we just weren’t good enough.”
Oak Flats Falcons 2 (G. Newall; S. Markoulis) Berkeley FC 0
Referee: Tomas Royall
Julian Keith
FSC Reporter
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