WESTFIELD FFA CUP QUALIFIERS
ROUND 3
Tuesday 26th April
Brindabella Blues (SL1) 6 (Stephen Clarke 6’, 33’, Sam Marchant 16’, 19’, 60’, John Colley 50’) Goulburn Strikers (SL1)
(Hawker Football Centre, 19:30)
By Nick Amies
Brindabella Blues eased into the next round of Westfield FFA Cup qualifying with a 6-0 win over Goulburn Strikers at Hawker Football Centre on Tuesday night. Things looked ominous for Goulburn in the opening exchanges, nearly conceding an own goal after just three minutes as Sam Marchant’s cross deflected into the post by Goulburn defender Joshua Fenwick. Brindabella did not have to wait long for a breakthrough though, as just moments later Stephen Clarke on a ball in behind the defence, rounded the goalkeeper and finished into the empty net. The Strikers looked for an immediate response as James Fry took a shot from distance, but instead of drawing his side level the midfielder’s effort merely stung the palms of goalkeeper Ryan Webeck.
The Blues doubled their lead in the 16th minute thanks to a quick transition as a well-weighted through ball put Sam Marchant in behind the defence. The striker made no mistake, finishing emphatically into the top left corner from just inside the penalty area. Three minutes later Marchant had his second of the match. Stephen Clark disposed his defender on halfway made a blistering run down the left flank, sending a pinpoint cross in to find Marchant in the area for a cool finish and a three-goal lead. Despite the significant deficit Goulburn were still pushing for a breakthrough and nearly pulled one back in the 31st minute. Sam Taylor sent an effort goalwards from outside the box and although Ryan Webeck was beaten in goal, the ball struck the upright and ended up in the goalkeeper’s grasp.
Brindabella were able to notch up a fourth before half time after some good work down the right flank from Adrian Russo and Lachlan Ainsworth saw the ball sent to Marchant in the middle. The striker beat one and sent a shot towards goal and although goalkeeper Justin Daly made the save, Stephen Clark was on hand to put away the loose ball for his second goal of the match. Ben Hartin was unlucky not to find the net for Goulburn before the break, striking the underside of the crossbar with a well-taken free-kick. The ball was bundled over the line in the ensuing scramble, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
The Blues made the perfect start to the second half with their fifth goal of the match. Sam Marchant laid the ball off to John Colley who had made a forward run from midfield and his deflected shot snuck past Justin Daly. Marchant was able to complete his hat-trick in style just before the hour mark, controlling the ball on the edge of the box before blasting it into the net past the despairing goalkeeper. Goulburn had shown better signs in the second stanza, with half time substitute Eric Noheli in particular producing some promising forays into opposition territory. However, the Brindabella defence remained focused in the closing stages to deny their opponents a consolation goal, securing a clean sheet to accompany a potent attacking display.
Brindabella Blues: 1. Ryan WEBECK, 2. Benjamin HILDER, 3. Adrian DENNIS, 5. Adrian RUSSO, 8. Damien COREY, 9. Sam MARCHANT, 11. John COLLEY, 13. Brennan COREY, 14. Stephen CLARKE, 15. Lachlan AINSWORTH, 17. Christopher FISHER
Substitutes used: 7. James KEECH, 10. Frank RUSSO, 18. Alejandro DICKINSON,
Goulburn Strikers: 1. Justin DALY, 3. Sam TAYLOR, 4. James DINSMORE, 5. Marc BROWN, 6. Luke HARTIN, 8. Benjamin HARTIN, 9. Adam MILLS, 13. James MCMASTER, 17. Guy LEWIN, 19. Musare GASIRIMU, 21. Joshua FENWICK
Substitutes used: 2. James FRY, 10. Andrew TRAVERS, 14. Eric NOHELI
YELLOW CARDS: Nil
RED CARDS: Nil
Photos: Glenn Dawson