Corrimal had home advantage for the Fraternity Cup match against Albion Park White Eagles with the winner earning passage into the semi-finals. Reigning Premier League Champions Albion Park had won their opening 2 matches and was yet to concede a goal. Corrimal had been the surprise package of the cup so far having turned over Tarrawanna before thumping 5 past South Coast United.

Albion Park was quick off the mark with Mitch Del Turco through on goal within the first minute. Gavin O’Brien came to the rescue for Corrimal with a challenge to push the shot out for a corner.

In the 9th minute, Del Turco volleyed a lobbed through ball from Shohei Okuno that forced Jason Bleakley into action, swatting the strike over the bar.

Albion Park began to retain the ball for lengthy periods however they struggled to break down a Corrimal side who had been deployed in a resilient 4-4-2 formation. Their best chance of the half came in the 23rd minute when Jeremy Lopez teed up a chance for Lee Gilroy but Bleakley pulled off a superb stop to deny the former South Coast United wide man.

Gilroy, who was the pick of the White Eagle players in the opening half had another chance 5 minutes before the break when he let loose a curling effort from 25 metres out but Bleakley was up to the task.

2 minutes into the second half, Corrimal won a foul on the left tip of the Albion Park 18-yard box with some of the Rangers players appealing the challenge was inside the box. Luke Picciolini struck the resulting free kick into the wall, the ball deflecting out for a corner.

Albion Park had an attacking free kick of their own 5 minutes later in the shadows of the Corrimal penalty box. White Eagles’ talisman Okuno stepped up and his goal-bound effort found the head of a Corrimal defender ricocheting into the crossbar and going out for a corner.

In the 50th minute, Mark Picciolini attempted to get on the end of a through ball when Albion Park centre back Chris Nathaniel dragged him down but the referee waved play on. Albion Park may have considered themselves lucky as a foul there would have likely seen them down to 10 men as Picciolini was through on goal.

On the hour mark, a rough challenge from Albion Park’s Darren Jones on Mark Picciolini saw him receive his second yellow of the match. With 10 minutes remaining Albion Park needed to hold on - a point being enough to see them top the Pool 3.

Corrimal began to push for a winner with Christian Plakias thunderous effort from 30 metres out forcing a strong save from Bryce Daenell.

From the next passage, the ball found its way into the arms of Alex Baird in the Corrimal goal. His punted clearance falling deep in Albion Park’s half, between an onrushing Mark Picciolini and Daenell. A hesitant Daenell missed his attempt at clearing the ball, allowing Picciolini to head home into an open goal - though his shot did need help from the right post.

Albion Park was left with 5 minutes to salvage a point but down to 10 men, they were unable to fashion a clear-cut chance despite getting bodies forward with the game finishing 1-0 to Corrimal.

The result means Corrimal top Pool 3 with 3 wins, a tremendous achievement considering their newly promotion status.

After the match, Corrimal coach John Fleming described how proud he was of his team, “We have got a good group of young men at Corrimal… and when the chips are down they all band together and they play for each other and I think that was apparent today.”

Fleming is adamant his side is ready to take on the Illawarra Premier League, “We can’t wait, you can see by the way they play, they are jumping out of their skins.”

Corrimal now goes on to face Port Kembla at JJ Kelly Park at 8 pm on Tuesday night for a place in the Fraternity Cup Grand Final. Albion Park White Eagles are next in action on Saturday when they host Peakhurst United at Barrack Heights Sports Field in the 3rd round of the FFA Cup which kicks off at 3 pm.

 

Sunday March 12th - Memorial Park

Corrimal Rangers 1 (M.Picciolini)

Albion Park White Eagles 0

 

Corrimal Rangers - Jason Bleakley, Tyron Maclou, Gavin O’Brien, Nathan Belsito, Robert Brown, Paul Guido, Oliver Carrasco, Aden Wade, Mark Picciolini, Luke Picciolini, Save Treneski

Subs - Christian Plakias, Nikola Rosic, Christopher Stevanovski, Timothy Wylie (Guest Player), Alex Baird

 

Albion Park White Eagles - Bryce Daenell, Dejan Djukic, Chris Nathaniel, Boden Allport, Peter Prandalos, Djordje Uzelac, Mitch Del Turco, Vaughan Patterson, Jeremy Lopez, Shohei Okuno, Lee Gilroy

Subs - Darren Jones, Dylan Wray, Josh Mcars, Nick High, Jacob Hufton

 

You can listen to the full interview with John Fleming here - https://soundcloud.com/dylaneloiarvela/john-fleming-after-corrimal-qualify-for-the-semi-final-of-the-fraternity-cup

 

Referee - Andrew Naylor

Assistant Referees - Gareth Jenkins, Caleb Blanch

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

 

Report by Dylan Arvela @dylaneloiarvela