In Round 3 of the Belgiorno Cup, the Sharks travel to Malseed Park to face their rivals, the Blue Lake Rangers.
In: Craig Wright
Out: Matt Gordon (suspended), Matt Weistra (injury), Ethan Parsons (injury)
In absolute perfect conditions, both teams were playing for top position of the table in Group B. Sharks with 2 wins (6pts), Blue Lake with 1win 1 draw (4pts)
The starting line up; Defenders: Nick Hewish, Craig Wright, Okezie Nzeakor, Andrej Spakowski ; Midfield: Tobbei Kennett, Heath Widdison, Corey Pilven ; Attackers: Brad Pilven, Salva Kasole, Jason Brooks Substitutes: Eh Moo, Mafwata Bope,Luke Harris, Jesse Widdison
The game summary as follows;
(3min) Brooks takes on the Rangers defence, crosses with a nice pass to a fast running Brad Pilven who slots his first goal for the Sharks this year. Score 1-0
(8min) Sharks Keeper was called into action early, as Rangers No 7 Thompson crossed the ball deep hoping to find Guess, but Fuller was quick off the mark to making a diving save.
(10min) Kennett and Kasole combine with some brilliant one touch passing, and Kasole slots the ball through the legs of Rangers keeper Armandi. Score 2-0
(12min) Brad Pilven, again receives through ball from Widdison, takes a shot with his left foot, rebounds of the post, but a waiting Brooks was there to smash the rebound in. Score 3-0 (27min) Kennett found some room, and from distance shoots for the top corner, but Armandi makes a great save to deny another goal for the Sharks.
(29min) Shortly after, it was the Sharks captain Kennett again, showing why he is regarded as one of the top players in this league, takes on one.. two.. three defenders, and from the 18 yd box shoots with his left foot..the keeper had no chance. Score 4-0 Half Time
(56min) Sharks playmaker, Wright takes off with the ball from defence, and travels at speed, taking on the Rangers midfield, releases a well timed through ball onto a waiting Brad Pilven, who calmly slots the ball under the keeper. The scoreboard keeps ticking over .Score 5-0 (70min) Rangers are awarded a penalty as the referee deemed there was contact between a clash of Sharks keeper Fuller and Rangers Striker Guess. Guess strikes the ball low and hard into the bottom right corner, Sharks keeper guessed correctly and dives making contact with the ball but was unable to prevent the ball from crawling over the line. Score 5-1
(75min) An acrobatic Kennett with an overhead scissor kick, was unlucky not to score the goal of the year. The ball was struck very hard. It deflects off the keeper, hits the post, and once again Brad Pilven was there to score his hatrick for the day . Score 6-1
(85min) Man of the match Kennett, with so much strength gets past the defenders, makes his way in the box, and was taken down. The referee points to the spot and Sharks awarded the penalty. Corey Pilven who was celebrating his 21st birthday, takes the honors and makes no mistake to score the last goal of the day. Score 7-1
Sharks Coach Bruttomesso was very pleased with his team’s performance, and congratulated his players for their efforts.
Special mention to U17 Captain Nick Hewish, who has earned himself a starting position in the team. “Everything we have been working on at training has all come together, and the team was able to remain focused for the entire 90 mins.”
A brilliant display of football from the Gambier City Sharks Soccer Club.
Sharks finish top of the table in Group B, and will play the Runners up in Group A -Apollo, later on in the semi final of Belgiorno Cup. Sharks again will play the Blue Lake Rangers in Round 1 of the Dycer Construction Premiership that’s starts in 2 weeks on Sunday 1 May.
Goal Scorers: B.Pilven 3, J.Brooks 1, T.Kennett 1, S.Kasole 1, C.Pilven 1
Best Players: B.Pilven, O.Nzeakor, A.Szpakowski, C.Pilven
