Yoogali progressed into Round 4 of the Capital Football Australia Cup Qualifying competition with a 4-0 success over State League Yarabi, making their debut in the tournament, at Hawker Football Centre.
A trio of goals in the final nineteen minutes of the contest enabled Yoogali, who ended the match with ten men following the dismissal of defender Luke Pandolfo eleven minutes from time after he was adjudged to have hauled down Yarabi substitute Caihrn Sweeney as he broke clear on goal, saw the team from Griffith progress.
They could even afford to see player/coach Darren Bailey miss a first-half penalty, Yarabi goalkeeper Yussuf Mohamed making a fine save with his legs to deny the Scottish defender from the spot.
By then Yoogali were already ahead, young winger Jake Fattore finding Isaac Donadel inside the area and the midfielder taking a touch before sliding a composed finish below the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.
Yarabi threats were sporadic, but they did keep Yoogali at arm’s length, fullback Dom Galluzzo shuddering the crossbar with a vicious swerving effort, the closest Yoogali came to adding to their efforts.
A second penalty in the 71st minute, awarded after Isaac Donadel had lured Yarabi defender Matt Curran into a rash challenge, gave Yoogali a chance to double the lead, which Joe Preece took, confidently converting from 12-yards.
The impressive Josh De Rossi placed home the third five minutes later and two substitutes combined for the fourth, Kaide Castle floating in a devilish cross that Josh Keenan met on the half-volley to crash in the fourth of the afternoon with four minutes remaining in the match.
Hard-working Kyle Urquhart had Yarabi’s best chance, lobbing over the bar after getting in behind the back four, and the State League side could be proud of their efforts, even if Yoogali were comfortable, and deserved, victors.
Meanwhile, State League Weston-Molonglo FC stunned Capital Premier League opponents White Eagles by claiming a remarkable late winner to secure progress to the Last 16 with a 1-0 victory.
The Magpies, depleted in number but never in spirit, rode their luck at times throughout a nerve-wracking ninety minutes and stole the contest late on with a goal from the most unlikely of sources.
State League 1 Reserves goalkeeper Simon Barber was added to a slim bench and was sent on as a field player in the second half and it was Barber who shocked the watching crowd at Melrose Synthetic by netting the deciding goal with twelve minutes remaining as Weston-Molonglo moved onto the next stage and a clash with the winners of the Woden Valley versus Belnorth contest.
Saturday 25 February
AUSTRALIA CUP ROUND 3
Yarabi FC 0 Yoogali SC 4 (I. Donadel 17’, Preece 71’ (p), De Rossi 76’, Keenan 86’)
White Eagles 0 Weston-Molonglo FC 1 (Barber 78’)
