In a match most would have predicted, based off recent form and the 4-1 win on the opening matchday of the regular season, to favour the hosts, Picton knocked Tarrawanna out to reach the last 8 of the MCR Rail Bert Bampton Cup.

The first half was tense, end-to-end football, with Tarrawanna creating the best chances. Picton keeper Dragan Ackov was kept busy throughout the opening passages, required to deny a powerful volley from Sam Onana Awono after six minutes, and again saving a low shot at the near post from Matthew Mazevski two minutes later.

Tarrawanna were unlucky not to grab the opener on ten minutes, with a quick counter attack exploiting the acreage available in midfield. Mazevski dribbled past two players to feed in Darren Stone, who saw his shot blocked. The rebound fell to Mazevski on the edge of the area, who also had a shot blocked, before Tarrawanna again recovered possession, this time for Sam Isabella to shoot wide.

Against the run of play, Picton hit the lead after 18 minutes, with Jarred Morley striking a sweet volley from 25 yards over Tarrawanna keeper David Hamilton and into the top corner for the 1-0 lead.

The tight chances began to rain down after the opener in a frantic period of play. Directly off the kickoff, the Blueys nearly had the instant reply, with Stone crossing from the left wing for Isabella to net easily, only for play to be called back for an offside.

Picton's Aidan Matthews sent a free kick clattering into the underside of the crossbar and out off the goal line from 25 yards, before a quick free kick down the other end saw Isabella tee up Awono only to hit the base of the upright.

The pace of Tarrawanna's counter attacks were troubling the Picton defence, with the left wing combinations between Stone, Mazevski, Awono and Rick Goodchild constantly a threat. However, the substitution of a hamstrung Stone on 28 minutes saw the majority of the Tarrawanna threat out wide cease.

Picton began to stamp their style of play on the match with the width of Stone gone, which saw space for Matthews to shoot over from 20 yards, before a free kick found the head of Bradley Durrant on 38 minutes to double the lead.

The Blueys pegged Picton back immediately, with Goodchild curling shot forcing a save from Ackov, and Chapman rose highest from the resulting corner to bring scores to 2-1.

Jacob Fryday took time on the edge of the area and nearly saw an ambitious lob sneak in, only to strike the crossbar, with Isabella drawing another fine save from Ackov with a volley just before the half.

The equaliser did come for Tarrawanna though, three minutes into the second period. A handball inside the Picton area resulted in a penalty, which Goodchild calmly slotted home past the outstretched hand of Ackov.

Again quality chances were constantly in supply, with Goodchild nearly picking off a Picton backpass, Bryce Dolinsak putting his body on the line to block a shot from Jesse Howard, Awono throwing himself at a loose ball inside the 6-yard box to no avail and Fryday heading over.

Picton ran away with the game late in the half, and the scoreboard could have been a lot worse. Howard headed past Hamilton midway through the half only to be called for offside, however they netted twice in five minutes to take the game from Tarrawanna.

Dayne Morley half volleyed from the top of the box into the top corner on 68 minutes before Matthew Tesoriero curled a rebounded shot into the left side netting on 73 minutes for 4-2.

The remainder of the game saw Picton content with the scoreline, as the Blueys continued to struggle to create anything to trouble Ackov.

 

Sunday 22nd May - Tarrawanna Oval

Referee - B. Mazevski

Assistants - A. Crawley, M. Thorpe

 

Tarrawanna 2 - Chapman 40', Goodchild 48'

Picton 4 - J. Morley 18', Durrant 38', D. Morley 68', Tesoriero 73'

 

Tarrawanna - Hamilton, Carrigan, Dolinscak, Chapman, Morlando, Chapple, Isabella, Mazevski, Onana Awono, Goodchild, Stone (Fryday 28')

Subs - Clements, Fryday, Chamberlain, Brown

Picton - Ackov, Realph, Durrant, Mugridge, Tesoriero (Takacs 89'), Matthews, J. Morley, Howard (Britten 88'), Dymond (McLeod 84'), Miranda

Subs - McLeod, Britten, Hall, Takacs

 

Report by David Atherton

Photo: Noel Wynn