State Cup Finals: Cronulla Seagulls lifts Bill Cullinan Cup and completes treble
Cronulla Seagulls FC won an extra time thriller 2-1 over UNSW FC to win the Bill Cullinan Cup (All Age Men’s) at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.
It capped off a wonderful day for the club from the Sutherland Shire, who secured a treble of trophies after earlier wins in the 18 Men’s Cup and Robertson Cup (Under 21 Men’s).
The Seagulls had to dig deep to take home the final trophy of the weekend. They equalised from the spot through Kobi Sharp in the 75th minute which sent it to golden goal. Thomas Nunn was the hero with his strike in the 112th minute to round off a wonderful weekend for the Seagulls.
UNSW FC will be disappointed to lose this game after scoring the opener. Scott Panzenbok nodded home the opener and they held the lead for over 50 minutes. In extra time, they had some chances but couldn’t find the vital goal they needed.
Cronulla Seagulls FC and UNSW FC headed onto soggy Cromer Park to round off State Cup finals weekend in quest of the Bill Cullinan Cup.
Both sides started the game brightly, firing off early warning shots which set it up for a fascinating contest for the All Age Men’s final.
UNSW FC went close to the opener through Patrick Idiare. He drove through the Seagulls midfield and fired a low effort which custodian Benjamin Andrews gathered.
The Seagulls had their chance from a set piece. Caleb Russell stood over the free kick, he got the effort over the wall and the crossbar.
UNSW FC was the more dominant side in the rain at Cromer Park. They had a pair of efforts which fizzed wide of the goal with William Backman the closest to scoring.
They did find the opener in the 24th minute. The ball pinballed around the area before Scott Panzenbok headed it home to make it 1-0 for UNSW FC.
UNSW FC remained on the front foot, looking for a second. Backman found room to run and his effort went wide of the post.
Cronulla Seagulls FC tried to find an equaliser before the break. They surged forward and the ball ended up with Benjamin Raatz unable to touch home.
The Seagulls tried to swoop early in the second half. Fabio Carvalho weaved past a pair of UNSW FC defenders, but his final shot was tame.
UNSW FC kept up their search for a second goal. Tom Warton-Jones wasn’t able to sweep home from a cross into the box.
They surged forward again through Idiare to nearly give them a two-goal cushion. He shook off a defender before bending an effort which was well claimed by Andrews.
The Seagulls continued to stay in the contest. Once again, Carvalho weaved some magic and forced UNSW FC custodian James Heathcote into a save.
Cronulla Seagulls were banging on the door with back-to-back chances and were awarded a spot kick. Kobi Sharp stepped up and slotted home to make it 1-1.
They were finishing the stronger of the two sides. Seagulls looked to swoop late and take the Bill Cullinan Cup but were unable to find the back of the net.
Jose Gomez Barona had a chance to snatch the game late for UNSW FC. He stood over the free kick and sent it over the crossbar then Seagulls forced Heathcote into another save as we went to extra time.
Both sides had an early chance in extra time. Backman hit the side netting for UNSW FC while David Watson sent a free kick wide for the Seagulls.
Cronulla Seagulls almost swooped on the lead. A lovely counter saw Sharp hit the crossbar then the follow up was denied well by Heathcote.
The game was on a knife’s edge and the Seagulls took the chocolates in the 112th minute. The ball was swept out to Thomas Nunn who cut inside his defender and sent the fans into delirium with a cool finish to win the game 2-1.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 16 July 2023
Cromer Park
Referee: Alex Cowdery
Assistant Referees: Mark Feledy & Toby Williams
Cronulla Seagulls FC 2 (Sharp ‘75, Nunn ‘112)
UNSW FC 1 (Panzenbok ‘24)
Cronulla Seagulls FC: 1. Benjamin Andrews, 2. Andrew Banning, 3. Benjamin Raatz, 8. Luke McCosker, 9. Kobi Sharp, 10. Thomas Nunn, 13. Fabio Carvalho, 15. Jai Mellor, 19. Caleb Russell, 20. Darcy Medway, 22. Thomas Stretton, 24. Joshua Ritchie, 26. David Watson, 30. Ryan Hay, 34. Jeremy Lopez, 37. Aidan Dennis
Yellow cards: Mellor ‘43
Red cards:
UNSW FC: 1. Khalid Omar, 2. Archie Fletcher, 3. Finley Carter, 4. Daniel Blazevski, 6. Jose Gomez Barona, 8. Daniel Karlsson, 9. William Backman, 16. Tom Warton-Jones, 19. Ted Ottoviano, 20. Devin He, 21. James Heathcote, 24. Thomas Nimac, 28. Scott Panzenbock, 30. Nick Elegant, 32. Eskil Aune, 35. Patrick Idiare
Yellow cards: Nimac ‘76
Red cards:
State Cup Finals – Day 1 Results
13 Girls: Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders 1 defeated Pittwater RSL FC 0
14 Girls: Lindfield FC 1 defeated Collaroy Cromer Strikers 0
16 Girls: Pittwater RSL FC 2 defeated Northbridge FC 1
18 Girls: Shellharbour JFC 3 defeated Manly Vale 0
All Age Women: Seaforth FC 1 defeated Beacon Hill FC 0
State Cup Finals – Day 2 Results
13 Boys: Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders 4 defeated Kellyville Kolts 2
14 Boys: Balgownie JFC 3 defeated Quakers Hill Tigers 0
15 Boys: Forest Killarney FC 3 defeated Banksia Tigers 1
16 Boys: Enfield Rovers 2 defeated Blue Mountains FC 0
17 Boys: Lindfield FC 6 defeated Lugarno FC 0
18 Boys: Cronulla Seagulls 2 defeated Burwood FC 1
21 Men (Robertson Cup): Cronulla Seagulls 3 defeated Earlwood Wanderers 0
Over 35 Men: Como Jannali SC 1 defeated Dunbar Rovers 0
All Age Men (Bill Cullinan Cup): Cronulla Seagulls 2 defeated UNSW FC 1 (After extra time)
