North Canberra Fire upset South Canberra Swift to win the Men’s Reserve Grade title with a stunning 4-1 victory at Daramalan College.
The Fire, classed as the underdogs against the league champions, were relentless in their press on the Swift and started very brightly, able to strike twice early in the opening six minutes of the contest to give themselves a platform on which to build.
The first contained a slice of luck that you often need to win a piece of silverware as Bradley Malone fired in a shot at goal that turned into a perfect pass for Elliot Alberto. There was still plenty of work to do for Alberto, but he did it magnificently, spinning and finishing with a deft finish under Rafael Alexandre.
Moments later it was two. Sebastian Ciminelli won the ball back close to goal and advanced to finish adroitly, rolling his foot over the ball to wrong foot Alexandre, caressing the ball into the net. In reply, Xabier Davies forced a save from Player of the Match Markus Smith, before Geordie Freeman rattled the base of the post.
Swift upped the tempo after the resumption of play forcing Smith into a series of fine saves with Fire soaking up the pressure before scoring in a classic smash and grab raid. Daniel Obst pass was intercepted by Alberto who cracked home a thunderous third from range.
The Fire’s defence was top drawer, players throwing their bodies in the way of shots, and hustling and harrying their opponents throughout the entirety of the contest, making premium opportunities limited for the League Champions and Ethan Yuen wrapped it up late on with Niko Perinovic goal a mere consolation.
MATCH STATISTICS
South Canberra Swift 1 (Perinovic 50’) North Canberra Fire 4 (Alberto 4’, 32’, Ciminelli 6’, Yuen 48’)
South Canberra Swift: 50. Rafael ALEXANDRE, 3. David SESELJA, 6. Geordie FREEMAN, 8. Van NGUYEN, 14. Arnold CHOI, 24. Noah PRAIL, 25. Noah LOGAN, 37. Xabier DAVIES, 38. Niko PERINOVIC, 39, Marcus CRISPE, 40. Daniel OBST
North Canberra Fire: 21. Markus SMITH, 3. Bradley MALONE, 4. Ethan YUEN, 7. Tobias MCPHERSON, 9. Robert MCKAY, 11. Alexander POWELL, 18. Pietro CARBONE, 27. Sebastian CIMINELLI, 28. Tom CARNE, 33. Elliot ALBERTO
DISCIPLINE
Yellow Cards: 6. Geordie FREEMAN (South Canberra Swift), 11. Alexander POWELL (North Canberra Fire), 27. Sebastian CIMINELLI (North Canberra Fire), 28. Tom CARNE (North Canberra Fire), 38. Niko PERINOVIC (South Canberra Swift)
Player of the Match: 21. Markus SMITH (North Canberra Fire)
