Challenge Cup 3rd Round Write Up

[Ossie]

2016 CHALLENGE Cup Winners Brahma Lodge have cruised into the Quarter Finals with a 5-0 thumping of St Peters at St Peters College.

On paper this looked like a good encounter with the Sunday Premier 3rd placed Lodge travelling to meet St Peters who sit in 2nd place in the Saturday Premier league but from the start there was only one team in the contest.

Lodge opened the scoring on nine minutes when a Michael Mullen effort was saved before Mullen reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.
Two minutes later some fine play finished with a Matthew Bekirovski head down to Mullen whose volley went just over.

On 13 minutes the lead was doubled when Robbie McDonald picked the ball up on the left before cutting in and after losing his defender he bent the ball into the far corner.

Lodge continued to push forward and on 26 minutes Jordan Pudler thundered a strike against the post as the visitors went to the break 2-0 up.

The game was sealed on 52 minutes when a Bekirovski corner was well met by a bullet-headed goal from Mullen. On 71 minutes it was 4-0 when a Pudler cross picked out McDonald who headed his 2nd goal.

Lodge coach Fred Agius brought on Jarred Foster and within a minute of his arrival he found the net to round off a comprehensive 5-0 win.

Brahma Coach Fred Agius “We went there expecting a tough game but I thought after we scored the opening goal we controlled the match”.

PARA Hills East continued their good recent run of form with a 4-1 win over BOSA at Black Friars Primary School.

East came into the game having won two of their last three games and on five minutes they were in front when a Jack Wegener strike deflected its way into the net and on 15 minutes the lead was doubled through Russell Clayton.

BOSA were back in the game on the hour when Dillon Hayes volleyed home from 18 yards before East regained their two-goal advantage through a fine Clayton strike and Clayton then secured his hat trick from the penalty spot to round out the scoring.

East coach Alan O’Donnell “It was a good result and I felt like the early goal settled the boys”.
BOSA coach Dino Menillo “They capitalised on our mistakes and we struggled to get back into the game.”

SEVEN-time Challenge Cup winners Parafield Gardens have overturned a half time deficit to defeat Para Hills West 3-1 at Bradman Oval.

The sides met just two weeks ago when Alban Martini scored all five goals in a Parafield Gardens 5-0 rout but Westies certainly showed that they were up for the fight in a good 1st half performance.

On 18 minutes Westies Kurtis Cracknell had a shot well saved and four minutes later he created another opportunity but dragged his shot wide.

The visitors came close again when Lewis Marzocca got on the end of a cross but his goal bound header was brilliantly saved by Gardens keeper Jayden Shepard.

Westies grabbed a deserved opener in stoppage time of the 1st half when Tom Foglia got on the end of a through ball before finishing coolly.

Gardens lifted after the break and on 51 minutes they were level when a pin point Alban Martini cross was headed home by Cody Palmer.

On 58 minutes Gardens took the lead when Martini picked the ball up on the right-hand side before cutting in and slotting his chance in style.

Westies were reduced to 10 men on 69 minutes and on 77 minutes the game was all but over when a cross was swept home at the back post by Martini for his ninth goal in three games.

SALISBURY Inter put recent poor league form behind them to defeat USC Lion 4-0 at Underdown Park.

The record holding nine-time Challenge Cup winning Inter got off to the perfect start when a 10th minute Chris Fleming corner was headed home by Michael Marchioro.

The home side went 2-0 up on the half hour when Jimmy Greaves played in Dan Luciano who slotted his chance.

The tie was killed off on 70 minutes when a Ross Tripodi cross was headed home by Andy McConnell and the scoring was complete on 80minutes when Greaves netted coolly.

Inter coach Steve Cook “It was a pretty comprehensive win. The boys responded well and it’s good to get back on the winners list.”

ELIZABETH Downs have come from behind to see off a plucky Old Ignations 4-3 at Argana Park.

The Cup holding Elizabeth Downs opened the scoring on 15 minutes when a Luke Lawley ball into the box was deflected into the net for an own goal.
Old Iggies refused to buckle and on 35 minutes were level when Mike Barbieri was played in and his first time strike found the net.

Five minutes later Old Iggies had a shock lead when Barbieri forced a defensive error before playing in Julian Titaro who took his chance.

The Maroons drew level after the break when a Brayden Gundlach cross was headed home by Sean Brennan.

Some good work from Luke Lawley on the right-hand side finished with a cut back which Mat Watson slotted as the Downs regained the lead.

The lead was increased after a goal mouth scramble saw Scott Lindsay poke the ball home and while Iggies scored late through Matt Congedi it wasn’t enough as the Maroons booked a Quarter Final spot.

Downs coach Steve Hughes “The most important thing in the cup is that you progress which we have done today.”
Old Ignations coach Daniel Rossi “It was a good game but the Downs deserved their win.”

SUNDAY 3rd Division club Macedonia United have progressed to their first quarter final since 1999 with a stirring 1-0 win over Modbury Vista at Richardson Oval.

The crucial goal came on 20 minutes when a cross into the box found Richard Sokiri at the back post who tapped it home from close range.

Macedonia president Con Vanchef was delighted with the win “It’s been a long time since we have made the quarters. It was a tough physical game on a tough pitch and we are really happy with the result.”

IN other games Sunday Division 2 outfit Noarlunga United defeated Saturday Premier side Adelaide Pumas 2-1. Ingle Farm ran out 4-1 winners over Sturt Marion in
a rematch of the 2015 Challenge Cup Final.