WBSA CUP ROUND 2

A Grade

Naracoorte 2 - 10 International
Centrals 1 - 2 Apollo
Portland 2 - 7 Blue Lake
Millicent 4 v 3 Sharks

B Grade

Naracoorte 1 - 8 International
Centrals 3 - 1 Apollo
Portland 0 - 4 Blue Lake
Millicent 4 v 3 Sharks

Under 17

Naracoorte 0 - 8 International
Centrals 5 - 0 Apollo
Millicent 0 v 1 Sharks

Under 14

Centrals 0 - 5 Apollo
Portland 2 - 0 Blue Lake
Millicent 4 v 3 Sharks

Under 12

Naracoorte 5 - 2 International
Centrals 2 - 3 Apollo
Portland 5 - 0 Blue Lake
Millicent 0 v 9 Sharks

A GRADE MATCH REPORT

The Sharks travel to Millicent in Round 2 of the Belgiorno Cup.

The only change from the Sharks line-up from last week was Sharks captain Lance Da Rocha who suffered a knee injury which will keep him out for several weeks.

A few position changes meant that Bytheway would play in defense , and Italian Sebastiano Bruttomesso would start on as Striker.

The referee of the day was Corey Tidy, a previous player ,coach ,committee man of the Millicent SC, who has now joined the LCFRA in his first year of refereeing.

The conditions were fine with a strong breeze favoring the Sharks in the first half, but it was in the (2 min) of the match when Millicent United scored the first goal of the game.

Both teams started at a very fast pace with Millicent speedsters Gregetic & Saint, causing some problems but Sharks defense of Stemberger, Widdison & Bytheway held strong with Fuller defending the goal with some acrobatic saves.

At the (20 min) mark a penalty was awarded to Millicent for an apparent handball by Stemberger who was was in mid air trying to chest down the ball. The referee was adamant that it was a handball, and did not hesitate to point to the spot.

The ball was struck with plenty of force, and Fuller managed to get a hand to it, but could not stop it from going in. Sore 2-0.

The game started to heat up with many bone crunching tackles, with both teams desperate not to give their opposition an advantage.

The Sharks were 2-0 down in the first 20 mins of the game, however the Sharks bench were quite confident that they could work their way back in the game.

The next real attempt by the Sharks came from Wood who found himself running towards goal and struck a powerful left foot shot, only to see Millicent keeper Darrien Smith make a great save, denying the Sharks a goal.

On many occasions Weistra found some space, running towards goal but ran into a wall of United defenders with Gregetic also working hard to stop the Sharks speedster.

A free kick (35min) was awarded to Sharks , when Weistra was heading towards goal on a solo run, when he was bought down deliberately approx 30 yds out from goal.

Sharks midfielder Kennett stepped up to take the free kick, and placed it around the wall and in the bottom right hand corner of the goal. What an amazing goal.

Half time score 2-1.

Coach Byron Deak tried to keep the players positive. His instruction was to keep knocking the ball about, run hard, play your position and the goals will come.

The game was very even regardless of the score line. It was a hard fought battle which had the crowds on the edge of their seat.

At the (60min) mark, Millicent were awarded a free kick approx 40yds out. Gregetic took the free kick, and with the aid of the strong breeze , the ball which at first looked as if it was going to sail over the cross bar, but then suddenly dipped , hit the underside of the crossbar deflected off the keeper and another goal was awarded. Score 3-1.

Not long after, a penalty for the Sharks was awarded for a handball. Stemberger made no mistake and converted for the Sharks. Score 3-2.

Sharks could now sense that the game was in their hands, and in the next 15 mins of the game, it was the Sharks that were continually attacking, but credit to Darrien Smith United keeper, who made save after save denying any more goals for the Sharks.

It was Weistra (75min)who finally broke through the Millicent defense with his incredible speed and control of the ball, fired a hard low pass towards the back post and found the running Bruttomesso who finished off a well delivered ball. Score 3-3.

At the (85min) of the game, a corner was awarded to Millicent. Sharks keeper Fuller rose above to grab the ball. On his decent a collision resulted in the ball being spilt, and all of a sudden, players become entangled in a push & shove. In amoungst all the confusion, the ball found itself over the goal line, and the controversial goal was awarded to Millicent.

As the referee spoke to some players who were involved in the confrontation, a red card was given to Millicent player for striking the keeper Fuller and Sharks player Stevenson prior to the goal being scored. Millicent were now reduced to 10 men. Score 3-4

At the (91min) mark, it was Weistra that almost saved the Sharks from defeat, as he broke away from the tired Millicent defense, had a shot across the face of goal, the ball hit the post, and appeared to cross the goal line. As there was no whistle play continued and the ball was kicked away from the goal.

The final whistle blew and the game was over. Final Score 3-4

Sharks can hold their head high. Some very controversial decisions made by the referee. There were 10 yellow cards (4 Sharks 6 Millicent) and 1 red card issued in the game.


Goals: (Kennett, Bruttomesso, Stemeberger)
Best: Stevenson, Kennett, Widdison

Report provided by John Bruttomesso