It was goals galore at Ray Robinson Field for the dewy midweek clash between Fernhill F.C and Kiama Quarriers in Round 2 of the Bert Bampton Cup.

Kiama was able to chase down an early 2 nil deficit to win the high-scoring knockout clash 4-3 in their tough away midweek assignment to make the final 16 of the Cup.

With both teams fielding unfamiliar line-ups, with positional switches and inexperienced youth getting top grade experience for the first time plenty of cracks were found in both teams defensive lines.

Fernhill coach Dan McGoldrick was disappointed with the result regardless.

“No matter what league you play in, you give your opposition three easy goals you are very unlikely to win,” McGoldrick said.

“The side is well short of our first grade side but that is no excuse because we should have done better.”

The opening ten minutes was played in the midfield as each team got accustomed to the slippery surface and the skidding ball until Fernhill first exposed holes in the Kiama defense.

In the 12th minute, a lovely ball through from Fernhill’s Kyle Proctor unleashed striker Christopher Hobbs behind a staggered defensive line, and he had no trouble calmly finishing wide of the keeper for the opening goal for Fernhill to take a 1-0 lead.

Fernhill doubled this lead in the 16th minute through silky passing in the penalty box. The play was again triggered by Kyle Proctor who put Sebastian Dallas forward wide of the right post who did enough to lead the Kiama goalkeeper out of position allowing Dallas to thread the ball to Keiran Morris who was able to knock it into the netting with ease.

After dominating the opening stanza of the game, their passing options at the back allowed Kiama to creep back into the game.

In the 23rd minute a misdirected pass across the face of the 30 yard box fell at the feet of Kiama’s Daniel Gillespie, who had enough time to set himself and blaze the ball wide of a diving goalkeeper with the strike from outside the penalty box to make the score 2-1.

Fernhill continued to dictate terms in the clash, with their shot tally continuing to mount and mount for the ten minutes following the Gillespie goal.

Shortly before half-time, another misdirected pass was won by Kiama’s Christopher Christodoulou allowing him to regain control of the ball and power it home for another cheap goal to equal the scores before half time.

For all of Fernhill’s effort in the first half, the score at the interval was level at 2-2.

 

Kiama began the second half with energy and the tenacious Daniel Gillespie struck again to thrust the away team into the lead for the first time in the 48th minute.

Gillespie was able to dribble into the box with defenders pestering him and was still able to direct a shot wide of the goalkeeper who had rushed out of position for the score to read 3-2 to Kiama.

Substitutes began for both teams whilst Kiama maintained control of the clash, controlling possession and territory as Fernhill’s passes were no longer reaching their targets.

In the 70th minute, Kiama all but consolidated victory with substitute Colin Studman who had only been on the field for a single minute finishing a goal off a deflection from a powerful low strike by Christopher Christodouvou.

Fernhill played high in attack searching for a final two goals to equal the clash, but they did not appear to have the energy or spark to get themselves back into the match.

In the 89th minute, Luke McDonald was able to head the ball home to give Fernhill a fighting chance to miraculously get themselves back into the game, but it was not to be.

Kiama coach James Spence was delighted with the win and feeling positive about the season ahead for the Kiama Quarriers.

“We battled back well. It was a bit of an experimental line up, leading to two sloppy goals but I thought once we got into the game we would get a few back,” Spence said.

“There is a couple of new faces, a couple of young lads coming through which is the main thing. We have only really lost one player from last year, a few new faces and we have probably simplified things to be honest. There is [a different feel around the club], a bit more positivity.”

Kiama will look to continue their winning form and celebrate progressing in the Bert Bampton Cup as they look for their 3rd win in 7 days when they battle Oak Flat Falcons at Keith Bond Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Fernhill FC will take on Warilla Wanderers at King Mickey Park on Saturday afternoon in the District League.

In the Youth Grade game, Thirroul were far too good for Bellambi running out 9-1 winners.

 

Fernhill F.C - 3 (Hobbs 12’, Morris 16’, McDonald 89’)

Kiama Quarriers - 4 (Gillespie 23’ 48’, Christodoulou 40’, Studman 70’)

 

Tuesday 19 April 2016

Ray Robinson Field

 

Referee: S. Bozic

Assistant Referees: S. Bell & D. Zuzic

 

Fernhill F.C: 1. Akira Tatsubayashi 2. Keiran Geary 3. Luke McDonald 4. Dale White 5. Kallin James-Shipton (Andrew Drapaniotis 71’) 6. Sebastian Dallas 7. Ross Graham (Marc Sergi 61’) 8. Kyle Proctor 9. Jaksen Giraldi (Ben Moerman 61’) 10. Keiran Morris 11. Christopher Hobbs

Kiama Quarriers: 1. Dean Beichert 2. Adam Hinkley 3. Thomas Cunliffe 4. Christopher Hall 5. Kane Rowe (Mitchell Gowland 75’) 6. Dean Land (Keegan Beringer 66’) 7. Jesse Annen (Colin Studman 69’) 8. Aaron Buzinki 9. Daniel Gillespie 10. Christopher Christodoulou 11. Jye Marks

 

Story by Daniel McGookin

Photo by Pedro Garcia (Photo Library)