The League Champion winning ANU FC proved too strong for a gallant Wagga City Wanderers in an excellent Capital Premier League under-23 Grand Final, where two goals from Tim Lopez helped the University side to a 3-0 victory.
Lopez struck either side of the half-time break to help seal the victory, but it wasn’t without its moments of doubt, the Wanderers hitting the woodwork twice, firstly through a header from striker James Thomson, and latterly from a thumping drive from midfielder Zac Steele.
Max Prest was pulling the strings for Wagga in the centre of the park, it was his pin-point delivery that found Thomson for the header in the opening half, but Wagga were unable to contain the free-scoring ANU FC, a side that has netted 81 goals throughout an incredible campaign.
They were in front here after 26 minutes, Lopez connecting with a cross from the left to tee himself up and club a low right-footed volley beyond the reach of the agile Wanderers custodian Ashton Bourke.
Bourke was helpless again in the second-half as Lopez struck for a second time from a sensationally worked free-kick. Leo Hadley lofted in a cross to the far post which was met by a header across goal from centre-back Ethan Tudehope, perfectly placed for Lopez to loop his header over Bourke.
There was more to come as ANU sealed the match in some style. Jack Gibson, who was a menace all match, got his reward, controlling a ball on the edge of the box, manufacturing space, and lashing a brilliant left-foot effort high into the top corner for his eighteenth goal of the season.
Gibson should have had a second, squandering a chance that was much simpler when blasting over from close-range after Bourke had spilled a cross, whilst Hadley struck the crossbar with a downward header that bounced up onto the bar. Meanwhile, at the other end, Charles Witt headed over from a Thomas Yongai delivery.
By then though, with both benches emptied, the destination of the match had long been put out of any doubt, ANU FC proving worthy double winners.
STATISTICS
Sunday 24 September
ANU FC 3 (Lopez 26’, 65’, Gibson 71’) Wagga City Wanderers 0
ANU FC: 44. Cameron REEVES (41. Liam RAWLINSON 82’), 14, Jack GIBSON, 22. Tom TEWKESBURY (38. Matt GATEGOOD 75’), 23. Tim LOPEZ, 28. Noah EDWARDS, 30. Leo HADLEY, 31. Ethan TUDEHOPE, 33. Tom ROPE, 37. Braulio MELO (32. Andrew AITCHISON 82’), 39. Oli GRIST (27. Robbie HILSON 75’), 40. Hugh O’BRIEN (12. Dylan PRIME 87’)
Wagga City Wanderers: 21. Ashton BOURKE, 2. Shaun BRYDER, 3, Jackson HUNTER (15. Joshua TIMOTHY-NESBITT 46’), 4. Orlando HOLZAPEL, 5. Bahjat SMOQY (1. Tim KROSS 78’), 6. Bryce FALEPAU, 7. Charles WITT (13. Ben MAVOR 78’), 8. Zac STEELE (12. Thomas FORGE 78’), 9. James THOMSON (14. Thierry UWIZEYIMANA 59’), 10. Max PREST, 11. Thomas YONGAI
Match Officials: Jacob MARTIN (Referee), Darren GLEDHILL (Assistant Referee 1), Vince COSENTINI (Assistant Referee 2), Shane LYSONS-SMITH (Fourth Official)
Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: 23. Tim LOPEZ, 37. Braulio MELO, 39. Oli GRIST (ANU FC), 15. Joshua TIMOTHY-NESBITT (Wagga City Wanderers)
RED CARDS: None
