Northbridge FC crowned Bill Cullinan Cup Champions
Northbridge FC 1 and Lilli Pilli 2 played out an absolute classic of a final befitting of the DEPLOY FOOTBALL Bill Cullinan Cup at Valentine Sports Park on Wednesday as they wrapped up the big trophy in extra time.
It was Northbridge FC 1 that came out on top in an eleven-goal thriller despite being reduced to ten men late on in regular time.
Alexander Partridge popped up in the final minute of the first period of Golden goal to send the trophy to the North Shore.
Lilli Pilli will be heartbroken to lose the trophy as they led the contest throughout leading at 3-1, 4-2 and 5-4 at points highlighted by a brace from Chris Boland and some classic efforts from Nathan Stojanovic, Tom Gollins and Braydon Lucas had the trophy done and dusted going to the Shire but it wasn’t to be.
Credit to Northbridge FC 1 though as they battled back as Ry Hardy pegged one back in the first half.
In the second half, they scored three times through a pair of penalties to Mitch Lensink and a late minute goal from Nick Conroy to complete an epic final for the All Age Men.
The tone and fast pace of the contest was set quite early as Northbridge FC pressed the Lilli Pilli back four quite high and forced a series of turnovers that didn’t lead to any clear-cut opportunities.
It was Lilli Pilli FC that fired the first shot in the match and it found the back of the net. Mitch Parker weaved through the midfield before he stroked a precise pass into the feet of Nathan Stojanovc to slot underneath the Northbridge keeper.
The goal woke up Northbridge FC as they pushed forward as Alexander Partridge chipped a delightful ball into the path of Ry Hardy whose first-time effort just fizzed wide of the left post.
Both sides started to create some more opportunities as the space opened up – Chris Boland used his strength and fired an effort that struck the bottom of the right post for Lilli Pilli as Kieran Hall replicated the effort for Northbridge minutes later.
Northbridge FC would pull a goal back just before the half hour mark as Hardy was right on the penalty spot as a cross fell to his feet and he finished well for 1-1.
Lilli Pilli continued to push forward though and retook the lead on 35 minutes. Gollins hammered a speculative shot that took a touch and rolled in for 2-1 then Braydon Lewis finished off a well worked team effort for 3-1 just before the break.
After some time to cool down, the action continued fast and furious right after the break.
Northbridge FC made it 3-2 from the spot, Hardy was fouled then Mitch Lensink stepped up and slotted the penalty.
Once again though, Lilli Pilli FC stretched their lead back to two goals, Chris Boland burst into the area, had his first effort saved then it fell back to his feet to nestle into the net for 4-2.
From there chaos ensued as the goals continued to fly in.
Lensink once again stepped up to the spot after a handball for 4-3.
As the clock ticked down, Northbridge FC levelled the contest for a second time via Kieran Hall with a well angled effort for 4-4.
Before the crowd could catch their breath from the eight goal, there was a ninth.
From a free-kick close to the corner flag, C. Boland rose highest to flick a header in the net for 5-4 as the Lilli Pilli FC fans erupted.
Matters only got worse for Northbridge FC as after an altercation goalscorer Hall was shown a straight red for an elbow in a challenge but importantly won the free-kick.
From this ensuing free-kick Northbridge FC sent the contest into extra time. The ball pinballed around the box before Nick Conroy was alert at the near post to score the extraordinary tenth goal of the contest.
In extra time, Mitch Parker had the best chance for Lilli Pilli as he latched onto a pass from C. Boland but once again the post denied the Shire side.
That would be that for Lilli Pilli, as Partridge provided the signature moment of the contest as he nailed a sweet first-time volley to send the Bill Cullinan Cup to Northbridge FC.
For his match-winner and contribution, Alexander Partridge received the Man of the Match honours from DEPLOY and also scored himself a special match ball from the sponsors.
Speaking to FootballNSW afterwards Partridge was overjoyed to have received such an accolade.
“It was pretty crazy. I didn’t think we would come back each time but it was a pretty good effort from the lads.
“It felt pretty good off the foot but it was only one of the goals so full credit to the boys for the spirit shown.”
Match Stats
Wednesday 2nd August 2017
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Khodr Yaghi
Assistant Referees: Joon Park & Kim Kang Il
Northbridge FC 6 (Lensink 2, Partridge, Hall, Hardy and Conroy)
Lilli Pilli 5 (C. Boland 2, Gollins, Lucas and Stojanovic)
Northbridge FC 1: 36. COLLINS James, 27. ZECCHINATI Anthony, 12. MORETON Harry, 10. HARRIS Nathan, 28. LENSINK Mitch, 11. NICOTRA Dominic, 17. PARTRIDGE Alexander, 34. HARDY Ry, 18. HALL Kieran, 32. IVEY Stuart, 25. EVANS Michael, 6. CONROY Jason, 7. CONROY Nick
Coach: James Collins Assistant Manager: Alan Bain Manager: Nathan Harris
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: Kieran Hall
Lilli Pilli FC 2: 5. BOLAND Chris, 9. BOLAND Dean, 22. FARMER Harrison, 14. GOLLINS Tom, 1. HARRISON Ben, 25. HASSAN Redah, 4. HODGE Aaron, 8. HODGE Dale, 27. KING Sam, 11. LUCAS Braydon, 6. PARKER Mitch, 15. PINKUS Nathan, 20. ROSS Ben, 23. STANTON Tom,7. STOJANOVIC Nathan, 2. WOOD James
Coach: David Paget Coach: David Smith Manager: Peter Askew Assistant Manager: Dale Cross
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
-By Justin Davies
