Round 20 action in the WGC Cranes District League was at Kooloobong Oval as University hosted Oak Flats in a crunch game for the hosts - a single point above Unanderra at the foot of the table. As it would pan out, Oak Flats striker Michael Wilson and University skipper Luke Vandenbergh traded goals - a brace apiece sharing the points - with the hosts grabbing a last-minute equaliser in stoppage time to snatch a precious point.

Play began very open - both sides looking to make the most of their pace out wide - with the dribbling of Abdullah Chippha for University proving particularly troubling for the Falcons. The visitors were managing to test the Students' keeper Suguru Ieda; forced to clear off the boot of Jarryd Vinton, before holding a venomous shot from range by Lance Condello.

On the half hour mark, the hosts almost broke the deadlock - a deep free kick found Nelson McLeod, who squared the ball back to Jonathan Van der Stok; the defender seeing his looping header sail just wide of the far post. Shortly after, Matthew Cain picked out the head of Vandenbergh, but again the header was just wide from close range.

University were given apt warning about the threat of Wilson on 42 minutes, dribbling around the defence and in on goal, only for his shot to sail over from 18 yards. Less than a minute later though, and Wilson was on the scoresheet; Chad Fernandez's low cross parried by Ieda, Wilson on hand to slam home from 6 yards.

After the break, a snap-shot from Chippha drew a great diving save from Falcons' gloveman Ryan Franks at his near post, before a similarly spectacular save from Ieda down the other end denied a strong volley by Vinton finding the top corner.

After a free kick on halfway was awarded to University, the hosts caught the Falcons' defence napping with the quick long ball, Vandenbergh out-jumping Franks to nod home and bring scores level at 1-1.

Wilson had a chance to reply instantly, his shot across goal beating Ieda, but a fluffed clearance from Van der Stok gifted Vinton a free shot on goal from 12 yards, Ieda scrambling back in time to dive on the poorly-hit shot.

With less than 15 minutes to play, Wilson was set free behind the University backline once more, and this time nutmegged Ieda to restore the visitors' lead at 2-1. Two minutes later, he had the chance to bag his second hat-trick of the afternoon, after nabbing three goals in the 8-1 Reserve Grade rout, but his low shot across goal was deflected wide by the trailing leg of Ieda.

The Falcons were looking to wrap up proceedings by probing for a third; a deep cross saw Jamie Stevenson head on target, Ieda's out-stretched glove palming it clear, Stevenson picking up the rebound and having his follow up cleared off the line by Alex Kearton.

University seemed to find a sense of belief though, and pushed back as full time rapidly approached. A perfect cross from substitute Conor O'Brien picked out Benjamin Joyce in the area, but as the advancing Franks contested the bounce, a bone-rattling collision saw the ball fly clear of goal as both players were downed and catching their breath.

Into stoppage time and the hosts had their equaliser - a low cross from Vandenbergh found Joyce at the far post, his low shot pushed clear by Franks, only for Vandenbergh to sweep around and scramble it home from close range.

In what was probably a fair result, University emerged with a well-fought point - crucial given Unanderra drew with Helensburgh, and the Students remain one point above the Hearts at the foot of the District League. University will travel to King Mickey Park to play Warilla in Round 21 - Saturday 3pm kickoff 18/8 - before rounding out the season at home to Berkeley.

Oak Flats will continue their closing of the season against the current bottom-four sides, hosting Berkeley at Keith Bond Oval in Round 21 - 3pm Saturday 18/8 - before playing away to Unanderra in Round 22. Their season is all but done, however they can still climb above Balgownie and into 6th place, with the Rangers still to play Helensburgh.

 

Saturday 11th August - Kooloobong Oval

University FC 2 - Vandenbergh 64' 90'

Oak Flats Falcons - Wilson 43' 77'

 

University FC - Suguru IEDA, Jonathan VAN DER STOK, Kris GORGIESKI, Joshua MARTIN, Alex KEARTON, Luke VANDENBERGH, Russell CRIGHTON, Curtis IVERSON, Matthew CAIN, Abdullah CHIPPHA, Nelson MCLEOD

Subs - Conor O'BRIEN (on for Cain 62'), Benjamin JOYCE (on for MCLEOD 78'), Nathan TURNER (on for CHIPPHA 83')

Oak Flats Falcons - Ryan FRANKS, Alan WORBURTON, Brenton LLOYD, Fabian CAPETTA, Jamie STEVENSON, John TILDEN, Jarryd VINTON, Lance CONDELLO, Chad FERNANDEZ, Chad KEATING, Michael WILSON

Subs - Ross GRAHAM (on for WILSON 81'), Jake WATERMAN (on for FERNANDEZ 73'), Liam DAY, Blake FRANKS, Matthew GRASA

 

Referee - Jay WALPOLE

Assistants - Tom AHLING, Ethan ZVARGULIS

 

Report by David ATHERTON - Twitter @daveatho5