Challenge Cup Finals – Review

Challenge Cup – Elizabeth Downs 3 v Tea Tree Gully 2 (ET)

Elizabeth Downs completed the perfect season with their 3-2 nail-biting victory over Tea Tree Gully. They didn’t have it all their way though, as Gully put up a hell of a fight throughout and were unfortunate not to walk away with the victory. Rudi Templin Medal winner Darcy Clarke (Elizabeth Downs), spoke about just how difficult it was to walk away with a result.

“That was a hard game, it really was. They put it to us, back and forth and we were very lucky at some points – and so were they. A good performance from both teams,” he said.

Downs certainly had the majority of chances throughout the game, but Gully still looked threatening when they would break forward. Contrarily in defence, Gully were resolute and managed to keep out the Downs for practically the entire 90 minutes.

Their patience and resolve appeared to pay off as they launched one last counterattack in the 87^th minute, where playmaker Jacob Williams found the ever-threatening Billy Alottey.

Alottey was composed with his efforts, taking a touch inside that opened up the space between the two centre backs – which he topped off with a finish through the keeper’s legs, it appeared as if his strike would send the Gully on their way to a famous victory.

Downs, as they so often do, had other ideas. Almost instantaneously, they worked the ball forward and with some one-touch passing – got the ball out to Gundlach, who cut it back to McGreevy. As he so often does, McGreevy put the ball away and hysteria ensued on part of the Downs faithful.

In extra time, Gully did not back down. With almost the first play of the first half of ET, Jacob Williams once again put a teammate through. Substitute Hassan Mohamadi made his impact on the game, running through and producing the perfect finish into the bottom right corner, 2-1.

Downs did not waiver, they went on to score the equaliser rather quickly – through a Sam Watson goal off a corner.

Then it was young gun Josh Farrell’s moment. After a well-placed cross from Rudi Templin medal winner Darcy Clarke to the back post – Farrell showed his class and volleyed the ball off a bounce over the keeper’s head and into the far corner, 3-2 Downs… scenes.

Co-Captains Matthew Wise and Scott Lindsay shared their thoughts on a momentous day for the club, acknowledging that this sort of achievement does not come around too often.

“It’s huge, we’ve got a good bunch of lads here. Most people play their whole careers and don’t win anything. We’re happy to be here,” Wise said.

Scott Lindsay mentioned his love of the group also, and says the club is in safe hands with the young talent coming through, “We’ve got some of the best youngsters in the amateur league. Bailey Truscott, Cozzy (Dylan Costanzo), Liam Edwards, Cody Morrison, Faz (Josh Farrell) up front (they’re) going to be huge for the club.”

Reserves Cup– Para Hills West 1 v Tea Tree Gully 0

The Reserves Cup final was a game of ebbs and flows, with both teams having chances to win the game. The first half certainly belonged to Tea Tree Gully, who were creating chances in abundance. Westies were resolute in defence, with their defensive efforts spearheaded by goalkeeper Jordan Piles - the man of the match and Don Coppola medal winner.

The second half was very open, both teams looked threatening throughout. Westies had a goal ruled out by a narrow offside call, which was followed by a missed penalty from Tea Tree Gully.

Fate smiled upon Para Hills West however as in the dying moments of the game, substitute Yamin Jamal scored the winning goal – sending the Westies side of the grandstand into raptures.

A failed back pass on behalf of the Gully, saw Jamal into some space. He still had lots to do, including beating the last defender which he did with pace and power. He took his time with the finish and had some fortune as it rebounded off the keeper, back to himself and into the back of the net. Fortune favours the brave.

Over 35s – BOSA 5 v 0 Ingle Farm

It was SAASL’s most experienced footballers that were tasked with setting the tone for the day, a task they passed with flying colours. BOSA were dominant in their 5-0 win over Ingle Farm, with Tony Delo Medal winner Ange Grasso scoring a hattrick.

BOSA’s captain Joe Papalia got his side up and running with a well-placed penalty in the 29^th minute, after a header gone horribly wrong resulted in a handball in the box. From here, BOSA got their tails up and started to impose themselves on the game.

The other Grasso, Paul, was pulling the strings in midfield. His quick dribbling and positive play was starting to wear the Ingle Farm defence down. In the 37^th, the pressure became too much – as Ange Grasso grabbed his first with a brilliant chip over the keeper and surrounding defenders who could only watch as it sailed into the net.

Shortly after halftime, the Grasso boys linked up instinctively. With some dynamic dribbling on Paul’s part, the ball found its way to Ange in front of goal – who for the second time, made no mistake as he worked the ball through the keepers’ legs.

In the 73^rd minute, Corneliu Aghiana was in the right place at the right time as he headed home BOSA’s fourth.

Just five minutes later, Ange Grasso rounded off his man of the match performance with his third. After dispossessing one of the Ingle Farm defenders, then with power and conviction – belted the ball into the roof of the net from 18 yards out. A spectacular way to round off a great day for himself and his team.

“Very warm day out here, they pushed us all the way – very happy with the result”, Grasso said.

When asked about the season as a whole, he applauded his team’s season as well as some changes to the league that benefited all teams. 

“Splitting the 35’s into two, has made it a much stronger league this year. It was an enjoyable season, but the cup we deserved it – we played the top four teams”.