State Cup Finals: Seagulls secure Robertson Cup
Cronulla Seagulls FC won 3-0 against Earlwood Wanderers FC to claim the Robertson Cup (Under 21 Men) at Cromer Park on a wet Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls were flying from the onset of the game. Benjamin Armstrong nodded home the opener in the 22nd minute for their 1-0 lead at the break. Anthony Mann and Luke Roberts added goals in the second half to confirm their triumph.
Earlwood Wanderers FC battled hard all game but without a result against the strong Cronulla Seagulls FC side. Their best chances fell to Peter Jankovic in the first half and a header which flicked wide from Felix Bolton in the second half.
Both Cronulla Seagulls FC and Earlwood Wanderers FC strode onto Cromer Park eager to get their hands on the Robertson Cup in this contest.
Cronulla Seagulls FC were the first side to have a chance through Ryan Hardie. He found a pocket of space and fired a shot right at Earlwood Wanderers keeper Michael Maher.
The Wanderers looked to respond with a shot of their own which was pushed wide by the Cronulla Seagulls custodian in a bright start to the game.
Earlwood Wanderers went inches from opening the goal scoring. The ball fell to Peter Jankovic at the left post and he scooped the ball over.
The Seagulls swooped and took the lead in the 22nd minute. They swung in a corner which found the head of Benjamin Armstrong to nod home for 1-0.
They looked to double their delight from another set piece. Anthony Mann stood over the free kick and forced Maher into another save but they took their goal lead into the break.
Coming out of the break, the Seagulls looked to swoop early. They had an early shot followed up with a corner which carved out another chance.
Earlwood Wanderers pushed forward looking for the equaliser. Noah Simister tried to curl an effort which was easily taken by the Seagulls keeper.
Cronulla Seagulls FC doubled their advantage in the 61st minute. The ball was cut back to Mann inside the box and he swept home to make it 2-0.
Trying to find a way back in the contest, Earlwood went close from a free kick. Simister lofted in the set piece which found the head of Felix Bolton to nod wide.
The Seagulls had one hand on the Robertson Cup with a third goal. Luke Roberts curled his shot into the net to make it 3-0 in the 74th minute.
Cronulla Seagulls were in celebration mode and looked for a fourth goal to cap off their display. Ethan Fowler was found well in the box but slashed it wide.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 16 July 2023
Cromer Park
Referee: Guy Lee
Assistant Referees: Jarryd Daniels & Joshua Logozzo
Fourth Official: Lewis Hudson
Cronulla Seagulls FC 3 (Armstrong ‘22, Mann ‘61, Roberts ‘74)
Earlwood Wanderers FC 0
Cronulla Seagulls FC: 2. William Lumb, 4. Benjamin Armstrong, 9. Adam Castle, 10. Luke Roberts, 12. Kyle Yeo, 13. Dmitry Khachumov, 14. Ryan Hardie, 15. Joshua Anderson, 16. Martin Chave, 20. Ethan Fowler, 23. Bailey Fowler, 24. Jamie Bollard, 29. James Nunn, 44. Anthony Mann, 66. James Riach
Yellow cards: Mann ‘85
Red cards: nil
Earwood Wanderers FC: 1. Michael Maher, 2. Aidan Gani, 3. Yianni Vertsonis, 4. Daniel Pham, 7. Aspostolos Tatsis, 10. Riad Wazzi, 12. Daniel Odria, 14. Abraham Omage, 16. Adrian Cambria, 20. Luke Azizi, 36. Peter Jankovic, 37. Juan Arango, 38. Samuel Young, 39. Noah Simister, 40. Felix Bolton
Yellow cards: Vertsonis ‘69, Pham ‘75, Wazzi ‘85
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
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)
