Predators first to progress to next round of Westfield FFA Cup
Narangba 1 (Ethan Wilson 11’) Pine Rivers 2 (Joel Turner 58’ pen, Marc Skoda 90+2') HT 1-0
Played at Narangba Sporting Complex.
An injury time goal from Marc Skoda saw Capital League 2 side Pine Rivers avoid a potential banana skin when they travelled to Narangba United for the first Westfield FFA Cup preliminary tie nationally in 2017. After a lacklustre display in the first half, the Predators immediately switched into gear in the second to overpower their lower division opponents. Narangba started the more brightly as their forward line pace was put to good use but inaccurate finishing and a scrambling Rivers defence kept the scoreline to just the single goal. Narangba were however on their way to a cupset, going into the break a goal to the good courtesy of Ethan Wilson who's effort snuck over the line before Rivers thought they'd cleared it. Referee Alex King consulted with his assistant and showed no hesitation in awarding the goal. After the break, it was a Pine Rivers revival as they looked energized as they sought to regain control of the midfield. Their luck came in the shortly before the hour when a goal bound shot bounced around the box and into a sea of Narangba defenders, one of which was unfortunate to use their arm to halt its progress. Joel Turner despatching the spot kick aplomb. With a quarter of an hour remaining, both sides sensed the occasion and the intensity noticeably lifted. After a handful of missed opportunities, the hammer blow came in added time when Marc Skoda moved sharply to connect with an unmarked header from a corner six yards out. The hosts had a right of reply with two late corners of their own but were unable to to take the tie to extra time. Narangba will rue their missed chances in the opening period which could have put the game to bed. Rivers will offer whoever supplied their half time oranges a big contract as they went from a side that looked flat and lacklustre to a one that was brimming with energy and fitness.
Coaches Thoughts:
Allan Takken lamented his side losing their structure in the second half and believed that fitness and a lack of football smarts cost his side the game. Despite being the better team on the paddock in the first half, Takken believed his side fell into a familiar pattern of not playing well at the start of the second half which cost them momentum, the midfield and eventually the game. Pine Rivers coach Mitchel Bush was delighted with his team’s response after half time. By playing a holding striker and switching players to get more height in the midfield, Rivers were able to take control of the play which ultimately paid dividends. Team line-ups
Narangba Utd: 1. Daniel Skinner. 3. Shamus Crowley. 4. Ethan Wilson 6. Brigham Hikaiti 7. Aaron Warburton. 10. Kieron Greene. 11. Joshua Wilson. 13. William Holland. 14. Andrew Di Michele 15. Mitchell O Keefe. 16. Toto Hompa Subs 5. Jake Turner. 8. Callum Bailey 9. Shannen Waldock 12. Chris Gararotto. Pine Rivers Utd: 1. Byron Hope. 2. Tom Emes. 3. Joel Turner. 4. Nick Stucky. 5. Bronson Fenech. 6. Mitchell Rowse. 7. Mark Skoda. 8. Kieran Radnedge. 9. Jarrod Burton. 11. Samuel Deck 18. Samuel Middleton. Subs. 12 Matthew Broadhurst. 13. Jorden Cumberbatch. 14. Robert Randle. 15. Nick Hurst. 16. Carl Morandy
Referee: Alex King
