The match between Woonona Sharks and Picton Rangers was an encounter between two sides who suffered heavy defeats in the opening round. The Sharks lost their opening match of the Fraternity Cup 3-1 to Wollongong Olympic, while Picton was trounced 3-0 by Bulli.

King Mickey Park was the venue and despite receiving 60 millimetres of rain in the previous 18 hours, the surface was holding up okay.

The early exchanges featured a number of full-blooded challenges that have become synonymous with Picton's style of play.

The opening chance came in the 9th minute for Woonona after the referee played an advantage and the ball rolled nicely for Cameron Banks who blasted his shot wide.

Picton's first real opportunity came in the 18th-minute courtesy of a goalkeeping error from Jacob Madden. The towering goalkeeper's awkward ball-punch landed on the edge of the 18-yard box where Jarred Morley fired over the crossbar.

In the next phase of play, Woonona had a brilliant chance to take the lead when Cameron Bresgrove put in a low cross for Luke McCosker who scuffed the shot over the bar from just outside the 6-yard box.

Woonona struggled to match Picton physically and it cost them minutes before halftime when they were dispossessed in their defensive third. Dayne Morley provided a well-weighted ball for Matthew Tessoriero to bury in the far left corner.

Picton where the better team in the first half with their brawny approach giving them the one goal advantage.

A revitalised Woonona came out in the second half and began to take the game to Picton by managing to find space behind the opposition fullbacks.

Come the 45th minute this proved fruitful as Luke McCosker made amends for his earlier miss, tucking the ball into the bottom right to equalise.

Picton twice came close to retaking the lead within the next 5 minutes. First, Tessoriero had a one-on-one with Madden where he attempted to chip the keeper when he would have been better advised to try and go either side of him. Minutes later, Scott Miranda slammed a free kick from 35 metres out, his effort only just sailed over the crossbar.

The lively Joel Beattie became the biggest threat for Woonona in the final 20 minutes. Beattie had a glorious opportunity to put the Sharks ahead but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Josh Maiolo.

With 10 minutes remaining, Picton was struggling to stay in the contest with the sapping heat taking its toll. This along with agile Shark attackers was a potent combination.

In the 65th minute, makeshift midfielder, Chris Gibson played a ball down the left channel, substitute goalkeeper Bradley Jones came out of his box but Banks poked it past him for Beattie to run onto before elevating a shot into the middle of the net - Composure. This proved to be the decisive goal with Woonona winning 2-1.

In the post-match, Woonona boss, Geoff Foster praised his players, "In the second half we composed ourselves very well, we moved the ball around a lot quicker and we came away with the result".

Foster also praised his match-winner, "I rate the guy very highly... and he never lets us down with his energy and attitude", before going onto to say his side preseason preparation is going to plan.

The win sees Woonona with a slim chance of progressing but they will need an unlikely win against Pool 2 leaders Bulli at Wetherall Park next Sunday. As for Picton, they have to regroup to face Wollongong Olympic at North Wollongong PCYC, also on Sunday.

 

Sunday 26th February - King Mickey Park

Woonona Sharks 2 (McCosker, Beattie)

Picton Rangers 1 (Terroriero)

 

Woonona Sharks - Jacob Madden, Josh Hutton, Aiden Breslin, Chris Gibson, Cameron Bresgrove, Jai Mellor, Brendan Pattman, Trent Worthington, Cameron Banks, Luke McCosker, Valantino Merxhushi

Subs - Joel Beattie, Josh Woods, Daniel Atkins, Kallin James, David Kotrc

 

Picton Rangers - Lauchlan O'Bree, Connor Dymond, Rhys Lloyd, D. Goodhew, Brendan Berkeley (Guest Player), Mitchell Hall, Jarred Morley, Liam Starke, Matthew Tessoriero, Dayne Morley, Scott Miranda

Subs - Jesse Howard, Chris Sheerin, Josh Maiolo, Bradley Jones

 

You can listen to the full interview with Geoff Foster here - https://soundcloud.com/dylaneloiarvela/woonona-boss-geoff-foster-after-comeback-win-against-picton

 

Note - Unlimited interchange and 35 minute halves in Fraternity Cup matches.

 

Match Report by Dylan Arvela @dylaneloiarvela

Photo by Pedro Garcia (Library image - 2016)