It was the turn of Berkeley to visit undefeated league leaders Corrimal Rangers on Sunday, with Berkeley undefeated in their last 5. Both sides were looking nervous throughout the first period, with neither side overly adventurous on the offensive, preferring rather to calmly see out the opening exchanges from safely within their own halves.

The first twenty minutes yielded a solitary shot from either side, as both defences held a high line to prevent any chances on goal.

It took twenty-three minutes for the first meaningful chance, as it fell to the hosts. Sale Treneski struck a free kick from 25 yards out into the wall, with Dominic Magill on hand to bundle home the scraps from close range, however Magill was deemed offside. Qualms were initially for the offside to be overturned for the deflection, followed by shouts for handball, however both were waved away as the deadlock continued.

Mark Picciolini was on the end of a chipped pass from Paul Guido, however the first time volley across his body didn't reach the near post and sailed harmlessly wide. Gavin O'Brien drove a powerful shot on target from 30 yards out directly in front, however it required a fingertip save from Berkeley keeper Tyrone White to deny what would've been a spectacular strike.

Berkeley blew one of their few good chances on 34', with Corrimal keeper Mitchell Blowes punching clear a cross, but Tony Paglialunga was unable to get a shot at the open goal from the edge of the area before being shut down.

Corrimal were unlucky not to take the lead after a number of good chances just before the interval. Christian Plakias, on for an early injury to Sale Treneski, drew another fingertip save from White with a shot on the turn from the edge of the box.

David Bescos was able to half volley a shot off a corner from 10 yards, however an incredible reflex save from White pushed the ball onto the crossbar, down and out off a defender. Shortly after, M. Picciolini had a soft penalty shout turned down as scores remained unchanged at the break.

Again, the second half was a story of Corrimal being slightly off colour in front of goal, with opportunities they would usually take gone begging. Early in the half, Bescos headed directly at White from a Luke Picciolini free kick, and Magill beat White with a shot across goal, but it rolled just wide of the upright.

A moment of individual brilliance from Magill again wasn't enough to trouble the scoreboard, dribbling past 3 defenders on a mazing run from halfway down the left wing. Reaching the by-line, a dinked shot nearly lobbed White in goal, but the slightest of touches pushed the ball over the crossbar to deny another worthy attempt.

In contrast to the standard of chances earlier in the game, the opener was bundled home after a deep corner. Guido was on hand at the back post as a long corner cleared the masses, and he was left to poke home from close range on the hour.

Minutes later, Magill nearly doubled the advantage, getting a toe onto a through ball, but the outstretched leg of White deviated it just wide of the upright again.

M. Picciolini nearly teed up Plakias after good hold up play, however the pass was agonisingly too far ahead of the advancing midfielder to reach.

On 73', Corrimal established a cushion, with their second taking the wind out of Berkeley's sails. M. Picciolini juggled the ball to avoid two players inside the box, before lobbing a pass to Magill to slot home easily for 2-0.

From then on, it was down to Corrimal as to the final score, with Berkeley trying to keep it to two. Plakias was denied by another big save from White, this time getting a hand on a hard drive away to his right. Magill also took a wild airswing inside the area with no defenders pressuring him.

In what was nearly an inspired substitution, Andrew Nanos was introduced for L. Picciolini, and immediately strode up for a corner, where he threw himself at a volley, onto to thunder his shot into the crossbar with his first touch of the game.

In what was an uncharacteristically quiet day in front of goal for Corrimal's fierce attacking trio of Treneski and the Picciolini brothers, Rangers were still able to grind out a win to halt Berkeley's streak with the game finishing at 2-0. In what is only the third time in the league Corrimal have failed to score three or more goals all season, the defence of Berkeley were only able to hold on for an hour, with limited offensive threat bothering Blowes.

 

 

Sunday 29th May, Memorial Park

Referee - T. Bosevski

Assistants - G. Jenkins, T. Arnold

 

Corrimal Rangers 2 - Guido 60', Magill 73'

Berkeley Sports 0

 

Corrimal Rangers - Blowes, Mitkovski, Bescos, Belsito, O'Brien, Guido, Mandredi (Stevanovski 56'), Magill, M. Picciolini, L. Picciolini (Nanos 83'), Treneski (Plakias 39')

Subs - Stevanovski, Plakias, Nanos, Purdevski

Berkeley Sports - White, Inskip (Hood), Crouch, J. Mears, M. Mears, Evans, Perez, Rowlan, Gant, Paglialunga (De Oliviera 85'), Moon (Adams)

Subs - Adams, De Oliviera, Hood

 

Report by David Atherton

Photo: Pedro Garcia (archive)