Warilla Wanderers prepared themselves for the upcoming double-header against ladder leaders Fernhill with a comfortable 5-1 win away at basement side Balgownie.

There were two goals apiece for Kaine Good and Adrian Montalbano, with Martin Castelli joining them on the scoresheet. Wanderers keeper Val Rizvani made a string of fine saves to deny the home side, who also hit the woodwork before James Seymour finally got the ball past Rizvani for a late consolation goal.

Warilla coach Barney King was happy with the result and the performance of his team: “We got two early goals, which is exactly what I wanted so we didn’t have to get into a bun fight ahead of this week’s games against Fernhill. We did what we needed to do today and I’m pleased with how the squad is shaping up, with new blood in the side and competition for places.”

Part of that new blood King was referring to comes in the presence of Kaine Good, who is now the Wanderers’ top scorer. He spearheaded the Warilla attack today, with Bojan Caric on the bench nursing a cut in his arm after colliding with advertising hoardings last week.

Good took just 15 minutes to add to his goal tally for the season. He beat the offside trap, running onto a superb through ball from Javier Ovando, taking the ball wide as Rangers gloveman Aaron Tambakis rushed out, and firing into an open goal for the opener.

Just four minutes later it was 2-0. Castelli rose highest to meet Ovando’s corner and had a free header, which he happily steered into the back of the net.

Balgownie tried to respond quickly, but it was a sign of the difference between these two sides that nobody was on hand to put a final touch on the ball when Seymour flashed a dangerous cross in from the left. And even at the set-pieces in threatening positions, the home side were unable to capitalise. A free kick just outside the area was wasted as Seymour blasted the ball straight into the Warilla wall.

Just past the half hour mark, the Wanderers marched to a three goal lead. Montalbano and Good played a neat 1-2, with the Balgownie defence rooted to the spot, leaving Montalbano an easy tap in for his first of the afternoon.

And it should have been four nil just before the break when Montalbano bore down on goal but chose to lay the ball off square rather than going for goal and watched Tim White sky his effort from twelve yards out.

Nicholas Morgan gave the home side some hope, producing a fine save out of Rizvani before the players went to the sheds for half time.

But any Balgownie hope was snuffed out soon after the restart. Good got his second, with a right foot shot that was probably intended as a cross but struck the crossbar and careered in.

And the woodwork helped Warilla again when Montalbano steered his header from a Toni Anastovski corner onto the bar and into the net for 5-0 in only the 54^th minute.

With the game won, it was over to Warilla keeper Rizvani to perform. First he got down at the near post to deny Seymour again, then it was Morgan whose header was kept out by the acrobatic keeper. Morgan had another right foot shot parried clear, and Seymour saw his bullet from the edge of the area kept out in a spectacular diving save.

When Jackson Dummett was put through by Seymour with fifteen minutes remaining, Rizvani seemed finally to be beaten, but Dummett tapped the ball onto the upright to the frustration of the home side yet again.

Good went looking for his hat-trick with a fine shot just beyond the angle of the goal, but that was Warilla’s final effort as Balgownie went in search of a consolation goal.

With two minutes remaining, it came at last. Kurt Dorahy played the ball to Seymour’s feet twelve yards out. Rizvani got down to block the first shot, but Seymour was there for the rebound and fired home. Balgownie almost nicked a second right at the death with loud shouts for a penalty and then yet another Rizvani block as Dorahy this time tried to steer the ball home. But the score remained 1-5 and it leaves Balgownie languishing at the bottom of the ladder after eight Rounds.

Speaking after the game, Rangers coach James Dummett acknowledged that his team had been ‘a bit off the pace against a quality side’. “We created quite a few chances ourselves, but I was disappointed at the back today, making simple mistakes we haven’t done all year, especially conceding two goals from corners like that.” And the Rangers’ season doesn’t get any easier, with a trip up to in-form Thirroul in Round 9.

For Warilla, there won’t be many bigger weeks of football than the one ahead as they take on ladder leaders Fernhill twice, first in the Bert Bampton Cup on Tuesday night and then in a crucial Round 9 tie which could have a serious impact on the title race as the season moves towards the half way mark.

Balgownie Rangers – 1 (Seymour 88’)

Warilla Wanderers FC – 5 (Good 15’, 48’, Castelli 19’, Montalbano 33’, 54’)

Assists: Warilla: Ovando 2, Good, Anastovski. Balgownie: Dorahy

Saturday 13 May 2017

Judy Masters Oval

Referee: John Ruscica

Assistant Referees: A. Muirhead, Keelum Harrison

Balgownie Rangers: Aaron Tambakis, Ben Kearton, Lachlan Veney, Scott Simpson, Matthew Bubb, Nicholas Morgan (Martin Loskin 80’), Alex Morlando, Kurt Dorahy, James Seymour, Jackson Dummett, Zeyad Maarbani (Luke Moran 76’) (sub not used: Matthew McCoy)

Warilla Wanderers: Val Rizvani, Nicholas Del Turco, Toni Anastovski, Martin Castelli, Jordan Nolan, Luke Everingham (Reece McIntosh 55’), Ben Ellul (Stewart Robertson 68’), Kaine Good, Adrian Montalbano, Javier Ovando, Tim White (subs not used: Mark Marinelli, Bojan Caric, Blake Pusell)

 

Report by Simon Duffin

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn