10-man North Rocks PL have booked a meeting with Castle Hill United PL for the 2019 Hills Cup, after eliminating Winston Hills PL 2-2 (AET; 4-2 pen.), at Valentine Sports Park on Thursday night.
After winning the Hills Breast Cancer Cup in May, Winston Hills were eager to add another trophy to the cabinet. On the other hand, North Rocks came into the semi-final in strong form, having not lost a match since the first of June.
The Bears had momentum right from the get-go, holding most of the possession, and stringing passes down the middle, with North Rocks unable to test the Winston Hills defence.
In the 22nd minute, the game sprawled into life with an excellent 35-yard rocket from Winston Hills skipper Adam Luzi. His shot floated in the air leaving North Rocks goalkeeper Michael Robb immobilised.
North Rocks responded in a positive manner, finally getting into the match with a few half chances before they levelled the scores in the 35th minute.
A 25-yard shot was not properly dealt by Bears goalkeeper David Grech with Jordan Peters squaring the ball to Harry Gray, who tapped the ball over the white line from two yards.
However, just six minutes later, Winston Hills regained the lead as a wonderful passage of play down the middle saw Benjamin Colussi run into space. His pace was too quick for the North Rocks defence as he slotted his shot into the bottom left corner heading into half-time.
The Bears started the second half full of confidence. Within the first minute, Mohamed Korona beat his man down the left flank, squaring the ball to Sam Beesley, whose shot was saved by the legs of North Rocks keeper Michael Robb.
Down the other end, North Rocks had a great chance to equalise the scores. Gray lead a counter attack down the wing and a small scramble presented Joe Ng with a chance, but his shot dragged wide.
North Rocks eventually got rewarded for their persistence in the 54th minute.
A dangerous set piece was floated into the six yard box, with Zacchary Propst jumping highest to the ball as he headed home an equaliser.
The tables turned in the 56th minute when North Rocks were reduced to 10 men.
Marko Vrlijic was sent off for his challenge on Beesley as the game was halted temporarily.
After the restart of play, both keepers were called into action.
Gray ran down the right flank, squaring the ball in the middle for Jordan Peters, who hit his shot first time, only for David Grech to deny Peters from scoring.
Seconds later, a quick counter from Winston Hills saw Fabian Ehrmann’s 20 yard shot denied by Michael Robb, pushing the ball out for a corner.
Mohamed Korona continued to trouble North Rock’s defence with his runs and in the 73rd minute, Sam Beesley hit his first time volley off a corner which just went wide.
In the 78th minute, Liam McGuire hit a hard and low cross into the centre of the goal, however no Bears players were present in the box much to the relief for the men in blue and white.
Although, having an advantage for most of the second interval, Winston Hills could not find a goal against a resilient North Rocks backline, as the game headed to two periods of ten minutes of the golden goal rule.
Although, it was expected for Winston Hills to control most of the play, Johannes Merkelbach stood tall as his backline denied clear cut opportunities for the Bears.
After twenty minutes of golden goal were unable to seperate both sides, a penalty shootout was required.
Alexander Scaron started first for North Rocks, hitting his shot with power to lead the shootout.
Peter Henry then stepped up to take Winston Hills’ first penalty, who unfortunately hit the outside of the post.
Jordan Peters and Harry Gray converted their penalties for North Rocks, while Patrick Griffiths and Liam McGuire did their job for Winston Hills.
The shootout entered sudden death when Patrick Forsyth converted for North Rocks and unfortunately for the Bears, Joel Craig had his effort saved by Michael Robb, with the 10 man side celebrating their progress to the final, where they will face Castle Hill United for the 2019 Hills Cup.
Report – Ian Pulczynski
