Match Report: Edmund Rice College vs St John XXIII Catholic College

Squad list: Damien Delovski, Max Cunial, Sebastian Tomasiello, Zak Markosvki, Alessandro Calmasini, Brodie Masters, Roman Kalmanidis, Jack Dimovski, Lachlan Flood, Payton Skurtevski, Noah Crapis, Levi Martins, Nicholas Shalala, William Milinkovic, Yoan Ciugureanu.

Edmund Rice College opens team participated in a thrilling quarter final game in the NSWCCC against tough opponents St John XXIII Catholic College at Ian McLennan football field on Wednesday the 26th of July. The halves were 30 minutes long, combining an intense and action packed 60 minutes of football. The match started off with St John’s kicking off and Edmund Rice midfielder Payton Skurtevski setting the tempo high with a superb early challenge. End to end football was displayed by both teams, with under dogs Edmund Rice College having more of the chances and bound to score one soon. In the 20th minute of the first half, Edmund Rice attacker William Milinkovic won a free kick in the attacking quarter of the field. William Milinkovic delivered a pin point cross to the back post, where Edmund Rice Centre Back and Captain Sebastian Tomasiello headed the ball into the back of the net to put the boys 1-0 in front at the break.

Second half commenced with an Edmund Rice kick off which led to an eventful and suspenseful second half. With Edmund Rice dominating the possession and knocking on the door once again Noah Crapis the Edmund Rice midfielder netted the ball into the bottom left corner from a ridiculous angle to put the home side ahead 2-0. With frustration over taking the visitors, desperation to get back into the game was commenced by tackles and challenges flying in. Yellow cards and warnings were issued to keep the game flowing. With Edmund Rice College closing in on a successful win, Centre Back Zak Markovski handled the ball in the 18 yard box therefore resulting in a penalty for St John’s. Goalkeeper Max Cunial, made a tremendous save down to his right hand side to deny St John’s momentarily until they pounced on the rebound and netted their first goal of the game making it 2-1 with 5 minutes to go. With St John’s throwing the kitchen sink at the game, they pushed men forward leaving the defence vulnerable. Edmund Rice attacker Yoan Ciugureanu, pounced on the opposition’s goal keeper to win the ball inside their attacking 18 yard box, passing the ball square to Edmund Rice attacker Nicholas Shalala, who composed himself and netted the ball into the empty net to seal the game off and make it 3-1. The full time whistle blew and Edmund Rice College opens team were victorious in a thrilling and action packed game and now progress to the NSW CCC semi final at Valentine Sports Park on the 30th of August.

Written by Nicholas Shalala

Mr Timpano
Sports Coordinator