22.02.2010
| Scoring Summary | |
| ECU Joondalup | Cockburn City |
| O‘Callaghan 32‘ | OG Williams 88' |
| O‘Callaghan 73‘ | |
| Match Information | |
| Date: | Sunday, February 21st |
| Ground: | Dorrien Gardens |
| Attendance: | Approx 300 |
| Match Time: | 5.30pm |
| Official: | Michael Jasinski |
| Yellow Cards | |
| S Bushby 49' | A Periera 63' |
| G Collins 83' | J Dos Santos 74' |
| S Nunes 77' | |
| Red Cards | |
By Chris Leitch
ECU Joondalup moved into the semi-finals of the Bam Creative Night Series with a 2-1 win over Cockburn City after safely manoeuvring a tense moment at the death.
Several hearts skipped beats when defender Aryn Williams knocked in an own goal in the 88th minute as the Students were headed towards a comfortable win.
Cockburn's Aaron Dos Santos put in a cross close to the goalmouth but it had passed safely across the face of goal until Williams' trap went wrong and the ball rolled into the goal.
Williams held his head but his side held firm to complete the win at Dorrien Gardens on Sunday evening.
A Phil O'Callaghan brace set up ECU's win and his ability to convert scoring opportunities proved decisive.
ECU was unlucky not to move ahead in the sixth minute after hitting three consecutive shots on target.
John Higgins' clean shot struck the far upright and fell to Jason Marsden but his drive was superbly blocked by Dejan Aleksic, before a third shot was also saved.
Cockburn kept Students defenders on their toes but Joe Brunetto missed a good header chance, failing to connect with a well-placed Anthony Periera free kick.
O'Callaghan struck the first blow in the 32nd minute after Higgins produced a good run into the box.
His shot well blocked by Aleksic but deflected straight into the path of the striker, who pounced and made no mistake.
Cockburn had chances to put scoreboard pressure on their opponents just before half-time.
A Jason Dos Santos corner producing a one-handed save from ECU's Andy Banks before Periera‘s drive from the top of the box was deflected.
City continued in an attacking frame of mind after the break, with Periera and Adrian Webster repeatedly setting up promising moves on goal.
Shane Nunes caught ECU's defences unaware when he decided to surge into the box rather than lay the ball off but his powerful shot went just wide.
But ECU rebounded with a quick clearance and found O'Callaghan, who collected the ball, outran his marker and slotted his second goal past the advancing Aleksic.
Cockburn City: GK Dejan ALEKSIC, 2 Shane NUNES, 3 Jason GODFREY, 4 Ryan PRETORIUS, 6 Anthony PERRIERA, 7 Aaron DOS SANTOS, 9 Josh FINDLATER (12 Pavle BISERKO 66‘), 10 Adrian WEBSTER, 16 Joe BRUNETTO, 17 Paul NATALE, 18 Jason DOS SANTOS.
Subs not used: RGK Jason O'BRYNE, 5 Craig THOMPSON, 8 Terry CONNOR.
ECU Joondalup: GK Andy BANKS, 2 Garin COLLINS, 3 Chris WYLIE, 4 Scott BLACKMORE, 6 John HIGGINS, 7 Dale McCULLOCH, 8 Scott BUSHBY (9 Jake BENSON-COOPER 83‘), 11 Phil O'CALLAGHAN (18 Brendon O'NEILL 85‘), 13 John THORNLEY, 22 Jason MARSDEN (14 Aryn WILLIAMS 68‘), 23 Charlie COMYN-PLATT.
Subs not used: RGK Tom DIXON, 15 Daniel ALLEN.
