A confident Corrimal side who topped the District League table last season took on a Tarrawanna team keen on improving upon their 6th place finish in last season's top flight.

 

Corrimal was quickly into the game and within a minute, Christian Plakias blazed a shot high and wide from outside the 18-yard box. This was followed 5 minutes later by an equally ambitious grass-cutter from Robert Brown that went wide of the post.

 

Tarrawanna began to ease themselves into the game and come the 10th minute Darren Stone crossed it along the Corrimal goal before Sam Rose scooped the shot over the bar.

 

15 minutes into the match, new Tarrawanna goalkeeper, Adam Rodriguez was put to the test when an arching corner nearly found the inside of the far side netting. Rodriguez acrobatically tipped it wide for another corner.

 

The opening goal came after 22 minutes, when Mark Picciolini cut the ball back to Save Treneski, who slotted it past Rodriguez.

 

The interplay between the wily Picciolini and physical Treneski was causing plenty of concern for the Tarrawanna backline. The combination nearly added a second goal when Picciolini blasted the ball over the goal.

 

Picciolini went within centimetres of stealing the show when he latched onto a volley 30 metres out. The shot crashed against the crossbar and left the Tarrawanna crowd gasping.

 

In the second half, the onus was on Tarrawanna to attack. Expecting this the Corrimal coach, John Fleming opted to change from a back 3 to a back 4 in order to counter the Blueys' wing play.

 

Early into the half, Corrimal played a long ball into the Tarrawanna box that caused confusion between Jake Morlando and Rodriguez with the former heading the ball over his goalkeeper's head, luckily this was with little power and the ball was regathered.

 

A feature of the second half was Tarrawanna attempting to play out through their fullbacks however a pressing Corrimal was able to force countless turnovers when the ball was played into the midfield.

 

Come the 45th minute, Treneski, who was making the most of his physical advantage, almost grabbed a second when he managed to control a high ball on his chest but his shot went wide of the right post.

 

Tarrawanna continued to toil however Corrimal was resolute and prepared to clear anything that came within their penalty box.

 

Treneski managed to work another chance in the 60th minute that forced an excellent reaction save from Rodriguez who was proving to be Tarrawanna's player of the match.

 

Despite their efforts, Tarrawanna failed to make any inroads into the Corrimal defence and the match whittled to its conclusion with Corrimal winning 1-0.

 

After the match, the seasoned Fleming said how he was happy with his side's ability to win a majority of the 50/50s which he believes is the hallmark of a competitive side.

 

Fleming also acknowledged both sides were without a few key players that could see them play vastly different come the season proper. Fleming was keen to praise the match-winner Treneski, "He's always been a tremendous goalscorer".

 

Next up for Corrimal is a trip to Memorial Park on Sunday where they will face South Coast United. Tarrawanna will have to regroup with a must-win match against reigning Premier League champions, Albion Park White Eagles also at Memorial Park on Sunday.

 

Sunday 19th February - Tarrawanna Oval

 

Corrimal Rangers 1 - Treneski 22'

Tarrawanna Blueys 0

 

Corrimal Rangers - Alex Baird, Nathan Belsito, Fabian Cappetta, Paul Guido, Robert Brown, Christian Plakias, Luke Picciolini, Aiden Wade, Mark Picciolini, Save Treneski, Christopher Stevanoski

 

Subs - Andrew Nanos, Nikola Rusic, Gavin O'Brien, Melih Yilmaz, Jason Bleakly

 

Tarrawanna Blueys - Adam Rodriguez, Daniel Chapman, Jake Morlando, Jarryd Mortimer, Bryce Dolinscak, Sam Chapple, Sam Rose, Joshua Chapel, Caleb Russell, Matthew Mazevski, Darren Stone

 

Subs - Mat Naylor, Allister Carrigan, Jared Fish, Ben Learmonth, Jackson Dent

 

Referee - Andrew Naylor

Assistants - Greg Reid, Dean Moreira

 

Report by Dylan Arvela @dylaneloiarvela

Photo by Pedro Garcia

You can listen to the full interview with John Fleming here - https://soundcloud.com/dylaneloiarvela/corrimal-coach-john-fleming-after-frat-cup-win-over-tarrawanna